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Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager

 
 


taylor
User

Aug 15, 2002, 6:55 AM

Post #1 of 7 (3657 views)
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Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager Can't Post
Hey-

I noticed several new blogging software systems are on the market now--most seem very full-featured and have a donation-based paying system (movabletype.org, greymatter,etc.)

I've seen quite a few posts here asking the IT folks when commenting and rating features will be introduced into AM (like blogging software). Still hasn't made its way into AM.

Can anyone tell me, from a news site's (not a personal webjournal site's perspective) persepective, what is the difference between AM and blogging software--other than AM is slow to introduce standard CM features?

Opinions?

I'm thinking of just going to one of those systems instead of AM. Most are open source and have add-ons added weekly. Archiving seems better as well. The only drawback for me is the size of the pages generated (you scroll down forever!). As some of you have probably seen, I'm the guy who complained on the boards here for a PageBreak feature for AM to increase page views, and it seems that blogging software doesn't have that capability.

I'd love to read everyone's thoughts on this subject....

Cheers,

Taylor


terrill
User

Aug 15, 2002, 7:23 AM

Post #2 of 7 (3653 views)
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Re: [taylor] Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager [In reply to] Can't Post
I'm a TRUE fan of Open Source software. The DoJ suite against Micorsoft made my heart smile, big-time! (Pulling hard for Lindows.com, too!)

However, I used to manage a Scuba shop, back when I was still able to dive. We told our customers "Yep, you can buy that regulator cheaper in magazines. But, when we go out of business, who are you going to ask to tweak it just before your trip to the Caymans?"

Interactive offers EXPERT advice, almost instantly (I've noticed several moderators posting on the weekends!).

Interactive goes to GREAT lengths to assist you in getting your site to perform the way YOU want it to. If your idea would benefit more people than just you, they consider making it a part of their products.

Interactive is a company that seems to be well-staffed with quality people. They don't allow features to be rushed to market before they're ready, tested, and trusted. A rare company, indeed.

Interactive is NOT slow to respond; good programming doesn't just "happen." There's more to consider when adding features than just that feature. How does it affect existing features in ALL the packages? How will it affect features we currently have in development? How will it affect features we WANT to add, but haven't started to develop? How will it affect everyone currently using our software?

Interactive's products are well thought-out, and integrate easily. There's no reason to believe that future products won't consider existing products when released.

I hate those words "You get what you pay for!" Open Source is a fabulous system of (usually) quality software. But, when things go awry, it's also nice to know that the guy/gal who wrote it isn't on vacation, and someone else will be there for me (at worst) Monday morning.

And, for those of you old enough to remember the dial-up BBS systems, mine was one of the largest in the country (dBoard, with features NO OTHER BBS in the World offered, like: User access to an ONLINE C and Intel Assembler compilers, SQL access to download files and/or create and maintain your OWN RDBMS on my system, and six CD's filled with gigabytes of programs and files... in the early 1980's!). I provided Open Source programs to TBBS (Intel 8086 Assembler/TBBS DB2) and Mustang Software's Wildcat BBS (Pascal). ALL my programs were free, source included, and supported whenever I was home, LOL! You'll notice my cats.cgi and sfront.cgi for Artman include unobfuscated, commented code.

Long live Interactive. Tomorrow, I may have questions...

-- Terrill --
[quote]

"Evaporating expectations of quality:

1980's paradigm: If it's worth implementing once, it's worth implementing twice.
1990's paradigm: Ship the prototype!
2000's paradigm: Ship the idea!"

   ---Larry Rosler:
   http://www.perl.com/pub/a/2000/06/rosler.html

[/quote]

(This post was edited by terrill on Aug 15, 2002, 7:46 AM)


fraser_itools
Staff


Aug 15, 2002, 9:48 AM

Post #3 of 7 (3637 views)
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Re: [taylor] Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks Terrill, we definitely appreciate the kind words. :-)
Fraser Cain - Product Manager

interactivetools.com, inc.
Tel: (604)689-3347 - Fax: (604)689-3342 - Toll Free: 1(800)752-0455
Software for your Website - http://www.interactivetools.com/    


taylor
User

Aug 15, 2002, 10:06 AM

Post #4 of 7 (3635 views)
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Re: [Fraser] Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager [In reply to] Can't Post
Terrill--I'm merely asking what the difference is between the two types of software--I'm not ragging on anyone. In fact, you're right, dlo has been extremely attentive to my concerns (really just a couple of issues folks).

I guess I'm anxious to see a full-featured, stable release. I still don't think it's quite ready for prime time. There even seems to be new issues popping up now about archiving and site spidering.

I speak for a sliver of news site operators who are upgrading their current system (while their old site is still live). I , we, cannot afford to go live with a system that isn't quite "there" yet. And yes, there are a lot of features I like about AM or I wouldn't have paid $399 for it--yes, I paid more in January for it.

Oh, and I'm also aware that AM is priced cheaper than most CM systems. Price was never the issue for me (company expense). I would pay 3x the amount to see some of these issues addressed.

WinkJust so no one's feeling are hurt here--Let me say it again: I believe there's a lot of value in AM and IT, for that matter. The good points definitely out weigh my grovelings. If I didn't absolutely want AM to be the baddest m*f*er out there, I wouldn't be posting on this forum so much lately. I love this community and I love AM's potential.

Now, back to my original question> Does anyone have opinions on blogging software for news sites?

Tah,

Taylor


terrill
User

Aug 15, 2002, 10:30 AM

Post #5 of 7 (3629 views)
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Re: [taylor] Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager [In reply to] Can't Post
I need to learn those secret codes for inserting smiley faces. Going :-) is beyond my abilities, sometimes, ya know?

Nothing was said with "Angry Face" sitting next to me. I'm a pretty happy-go-ignorantly kind of guy. Sorry if you thought there was any intent on being unkind, pointing my six-gun at ya (although, I prefer the blunderbuss), or being rude.

Just my 2.875 cents worth on supporting good companies! The opportunity presented itself.

Ok, feel free to send further flame for not clicking on the "Get Markup Help" more often.

-- Terrill --
[quote]

"Evaporating expectations of quality:

1980's paradigm: If it's worth implementing once, it's worth implementing twice.
1990's paradigm: Ship the prototype!
2000's paradigm: Ship the idea!"

   ---Larry Rosler:
   http://www.perl.com/pub/a/2000/06/rosler.html

[/quote]


Dave
Staff / Moderator


Aug 15, 2002, 1:05 PM

Post #6 of 7 (3610 views)
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Re: [taylor] Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager [In reply to] Can't Post
Taylor,

As much as it pains me to say it. I don't know that we're ever going to be able to live up to your expectations. I can pretty much guarantee that we'll never be releasing weekly updates. To be honest, we sometimes spend more than a week just testing a new version before we release it, and that's with a full-time person who's trained to do quality assurance testing on web based software.

If you want to give another program a try, you'll be happy to know that since Dlo's page break program is javascript it should work with any content management software. All you need to do is add it to the templates and have the new program output content with single quotes and nextlines escaped. We'd be happy to give you our permission to use that javascript code wherever you like.

If there's a software package out there that fits you like a glove, I'd love to hear about it. I think what you're going to find though (and what most people find) is that you site is likely so unique that no premade tool is going to match it exactly. And you'll likely end up either modifying your site to fit more with the tool, or spending a lot of time modifying code to make the tool fit your site.

Anyway, if you decide to give something else a try and then later decide you want to switch back to Article Manager I'd be happy to volunteer my time to help you import your data from whatever format it may be in back to Article Manager.

Dave Edis - Senior Developer
interactivetools.com
 


taylor
User

Aug 16, 2002, 7:43 AM

Post #7 of 7 (3561 views)
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Re: [Dave] Blogging Software Vs. Article Manager [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Taylor,

As much as it pains me to say it. I don't know that we're ever going to be able to live up to your expectations.
....If there's a software package out there that fits you like a glove, I'd love to hear about it. I think what you're going to find though (and what most people find) is that you site is likely so unique that no premade tool is going to match it exactly. And you'll likely end up either modifying your site to fit more with the tool, or spending a lot of time modifying code to make the tool fit your site.


Dave-

Thanks for replying. Actually, I have never expected to be 100% satisfied with any CMS. You're right, there will always be tradeoffs--no matter what system.

One of my beefs is that we CANNOT modify AM through 3rd party development when you're reluctant to add a feature. I would have had someone else add the pagebreak feature and other things ages ago if we could tweak the code ourselves. Alas, we cannot. And no, javascript was not my first choice but I'll take what I can get. I would have preferred a perl mod.Wink

Constructive criticism is not meant to harm--but to bring out the best in someone. In all fairness, I've really only bitched about 2 things: encryption and pagebreaking.

I believe that if everyone posted on here about how much they loved AM and how perfect it was, you'd never update it. I've noticed that since the boards have been open (particularly in the last 4 weeks) and users have had a chance to ask for better features, you've moved and started updating things. There was a HUGE silent gap between 1.05 and 1.11 (the rest in between were bug fixes).

I am a supporter of your company. I am a friend. But friends are allowed to have dissenting opinions every now and again, aren't they?

I hate to see these cgi developer sites post their own CM systems for a lot less money and more features. Granted, your support is much better. But at the end of the day, it's not about who's got the better technology or who's got better support, it's about who's got market share. Who's got brand recognition. Betamax, anyone?

Keep upgrading AM and I'll be a life-long fan. Keep improving it and I'll be a life-long supporter.

Again, we appreciate your efforts. Now, go on squash these little competitors once and for all.Sly

Cheers,

Taylor