I am always trying to find ways to streamline and speed up my work activities. Blogging using WordPress is something that I find a little tedious, especially if I have images to add. Going through the image uploading and inserting process is counterproductive.
So I was quite excited when I discovered Windows software you can install on your PC to write your blog in, then upload the blog to WordPress (or other blogs) including images.
I am first trialling Live Writer (just because Microsoft do make pretty applications that work). With all the text and image formatting I can control I think I may be converted. I also use Evernote as my note taking application for blog ideas, so now I can copy and paste my notes, including images (perhaps using Evernotes screen clipping tools), from Evernote into Windows Live Writer (or other blog clients) which then submits the post to WordPress. This should speed up my blogging process quite a bit. This is my first attempt, so let’s see how it goes.
Other blog clients are listed on the WordPress site here:
http://codex.wordpress.org/Weblog_Client
Other blog systems can also be posted to from the software, not just WordPress.
Advantages
The above WordPress page lists the following advantages:-
- The ability to write posts without having to go on-line
- The ability to save drafts
- A nicer interface
- Fancy formatting features
- Features like cross-posting to multiple blogs
- Faster uploading and addition of photos
- The ability to keep local backup
Disadvantage
At the moment the only thing I am missing is either the Windows clients having more of a note taking feature to them, including screen clipping tool so I can abandon Evernote, or I wish Evernote could export to WordPress. In the meantime we have to use two applications for this process.
I’ve had a few clients recently ask me to setup a blogging system. I nearly always recommend WordPress because it is one of the most common and powerful blogging systems available and is free to download and use. Setting up the blog is straightforward if you know how to FTP and create a MySQL database on your web hosting account. Once setup it is ready to go, you can start blogging right away.
The only issue in my mind is the blog design. The default design is quite bland and probably very common, yet there are thousands of free designs available that are far more professional and just look much better, so why not change it? This blog describes how to obtain and install a new theme.
Having a busy schedule means I find it hard to update Twitter often so I am always looking at ways to help. Although it is recommended to write and post the tweets yourself to provide a human interaction, there are a number of automated tweeting systems that can compliment your usual tweeting schedule and make life easier. One such system is Twitter Feed.
RSS Feeds are a very useful and powerful feature of websites that are still little understood by website owners and internet users. Many website owners I meet have either not heard of them or do not know the benefit they could bring to their online website or blog or for their own benefit it keeping up to date with news and information online. This blog hopes to explain what RSS Feeds are the benefits to you either as a website owner or as a website reader for keeping up to date with information on line.
I’m always looking for great iPhone apps that can help with my interests such as work and social media. Today I found what may end up being one of my favourites, a WordPress app for the iPhone.
Read more…
With years of exeprience developing websites, it’s a big surprise to me I don’t blog about it. I have picked up a wealth of information about Web Design and Development, CSS, HTML, PHP, MySQL, Joomla, Zencart, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), the internet and more! Hopefully I will add WordPress to this list. I am also a keen baker with CakePHP.
So welcome to my blog. Here you can hopefully find useful information, hints and tips and news about web design, development, the internet, all the above and more…
Thanks
Laurie Cope
I am always trying to find ways to streamline and speed up my work activities. Blogging using WordPress is something that I find a little tedious, especially if I have images to add. Going through the image uploading and inserting process is counterproductive. 
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