"Best blog software for aesthetic point of view?" Topic

I'm toying with the idea of setting up a blog, as so many other wargamers have done before me.

Being a mainly aesthetic player (the look of a beautiful game is my biggest thrill in wargaming), I want my new blog to reflect that.

From viewing many other wargaming blogs, I note some use software that is quite utilitarian and even sometimes ugly, others that is quite attractive but seems to be a template that is found in other blogs as well, and a few others that really do look attractive and unique. It is the latter that I wish to emulate.

I've made my own websites before, so I can handle a graphics programme to make my own banners, backgrounds etc. So what I'm looking for is a very easy-to-set-up blog software (preferably free), but one that is also customisable so far as look is concerned.

Then, of course, I'll also need a memorable name, one that includes my nom-de-guerre (Arteis) and brings to mind my preferred horse-and-musket period in a clever way!

I like blogspot, for what you can do for a blog, but I've also found out that an application called "Simpleviewer" provides a nice/photoslide show…

Thanks for the quick answer, Murphy. I presume Blogspot is the same as Blogger (at least, when I goggled it, that's how it came out).

I read up a bit about Blogger, but from the reviews, it sounds like this is not really what I'm looking for. For example: "Blogger is perfect for the future blogger who's in a hurry and less than interested in design customization." I, of course, am MORE than interested in design customisation!

But thanks to your lead, Murphy, it did point me to some comparitive reviews, from which it looks like Wordpress might be more customisable design-wise.

However, I'll wait to see what other ideas people here might have for free blog software that is suited for design customisation (without being too complex).

Wordpress is what I used for leuthen journal when I switched the name of my website from wargames-etc, for which I had been using frontpage! Wordpress is VERY flexible, but it is not designed to handle a large number of photos, galleries, etc, unless you go for plugins, which I did, but still a hassle. So, as leuthenjournal reached over 1000 plates etc, I had to abandon wordpress, and I now use iWeb from Apple to make my own (again) website, which now includes a blog within the whole structure..

Long story short, if you want flexibility go on your own as you do now, just add the blog structure. Software-based blogs are designed to handle mostly text with perhaps a couple photos. Just like a news site.

I'm a computer philistine but found Freewebs easy peasy and have had very few problems with it.

hussarbob1746.webs.com

I second wordpress. I'm currently using it. I use it generally as a blogging platform with static articles and galleries done myself.

The look has more to do with my bad design than anything else.
tyler.provick.ca

I'm going to add another vote for WordPress. It comes in two flavours. There's a free hosted version that applies certain limitations but is easy to get up and running. Or, if you have some technical expertise and a server where you can install and run the software (which is free to download) you can run your own installation of software and no be so tied by the limitations imposed by the hoted version.

At present, my blog runs on the hosted platform. See:

befreiungskriege.wordpress.com

But I expect I'll eventually move over to having my own installation.

I think you're safe with either wordpress or blogger. Both offer free versions which are fine if you're putting up a personal site. If your site is intended to be commercial (or may evolve to that) you need to be careful about your Intellectual Property rights (IP). One of the hitches with a "free" hosting service is that the IP ownership terms vary. Some service providers (like Google vi Blogger) can be aggressive in their term structure, which can cause issues down-the-road.

If you go with a paid hosted service, then their aren't any IP issues. I would recommend using the paid versions of either blogger or wordpress. The other benefit of using one of the bigger platforms is that there will be a large number of widgets available.

Good luck

Wordpress. I can always spot a Blogger blog because they all look the same. Wordpress has a lot in the way of alternatives when it comes to appearance, and I've been posting pics on my blog for years without difficulty or concerns regarding space.