I have just switched from RapidWeaver to WordPress as my blogging software. At the moment, my blog looks very generic, but I plan to update it over the next several days and weeks into something nicer.
Why did I switch? Here are some of the advantages of the new software:
- The old software, RapidWeaver, is client-based (it’s a Mac application that runs on your computer), whereas WordPress is server-based (it runs in a browser, and can be updated from anywhere where there is Web access). This means that when I’m away from home and I find something that I want to post on my blog, I don’t have to e-mail myself a reminder or send myself a file to post online later; I can do it right then. If I’m on location at a special event, I can post updates as events happen.
- RapidWeaver is commercial software, whereas WordPress is free. I’ve already been through two paid upgrades of RapidWeaver, and I’m ready for something free.
- WordPress is much more flexible and customizable than RapidWeaver. There are probably hundreds of plugins that extend the functionality of WordPress, as well as hundreds of user-developed design themes to use or adapt. There is a very robust user community to go to for help and support.
- Many standard blogging features such as comments and RSS are better handled by WordPress.
On the flip side, WordPress is a bit more technical, and therefore more difficult for the average computer user to tackle; RapidWeaver is easy and fun to use, and well within the reach of average users. I was quite happy with RapidWeaver for a while, but now I’ve outgrown it.
So what’s next?
I need to bring over some of my posts from the old site to the new one, to give the content a little jump start. I haven’t decided whether I will go through the trouble of moving everything over. Then I need to move all of my subscribers over to the new blog.