Blogging with Live Writer
I [heart] open-source. To the extent where it almost limits the scripts and packages I use because I refuse to actually pay for anything – I’m sure I can find an alternative out there in the jungle of the web. This site is built with Wordpress, one of the finest open-source packages on the net. Some of my other sites integrate ajax gallery scripts, slideshows and forums etc.
Now aside from Live Messenger, Microsoft doesn’t strike me as a company to offer much in the way of decent open-source software. However, about 3 weeks ago I attended a Wordpress Meeting at the MDDA offices in Manchester where I met a host of other WP users and developers. Among others, 2 guys that stood out were Darren Turpin, a self-described ‘content manager, copy-writer, pro-blogger, mercenary wordsmith and online marketeer’ and Paul Fabretti from Stockport-based company KMP.
Upon discussing some of the difficulties found while manipulating the layout and styles of text and images within the WP page editor, Paul recommended using something new to me – Windows Live Writer. As he mentioned ‘Windows’, I was naturally reluctant to waste my time with it. But a couple of weeks later, while updating this very blog, I came across some layout issues again with WP, so decided to take the plunge and download Live Writer.
I was not let down. In fact I’m very impressed.
Just look at that pretty, glossy box. That’s the first thing you see when you launch the application. And the user interface itself doesn’t falter, it’s extremely attractive and easy to use. Let’s just hope Microsoft don’t forget to update it within the next 6 years.
So what is Live Writer? In short, it’s an application installed on your home computer that connects to any blog you can access and add, edit and update the posts and pages. What is the point you may ask? You can always go and access your blogs individually and use their backend editor instead of Live Writer. Well from what I can gather the reason is 2-fold:
a) – Live Writer has a beautiful, very simple and user-friendly interface that you can get comfortable with and use to write all your articles for any blogs – saving the time of going on to the internet and logging in etc. LW saves your accounts so you can log in to any blog through the program at the click of a button.
b) – I never thought I’d say this regarding a Microsoft product but the WYSIWYG editor is based on MS Word, giving quite a range of editable features to spruce up the text and images on your blog article. But guess what? It almost always outputs valid code! Miracles will never cease.
So now on to the negatives… There really are none. Maybe a better critic than myself could find some but for what I need, Live Writer has filled a hole, and nicely. I just hope they don’t create a similar product to design websites or I might be out of a job!
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Jason C said:
I wouldn’t say it’s without flaws but it is a damn good application. I’ve only started using it recently and I’ve found it easier to use than my Wordpress or Movable Type’s interfaces. It’s clean, simple and as you say – “fills a hole”.
It does annoy me when it throws out unwanted code. But it’s Microsoft – what more can I say.
Keep up with the site, you’re starting to get some decent content on here.
All the best.
Jason
admin said:
Ahh thanks Jason.
After having played it with some more I am actually starting to notice some flaws. Particularly the unnecessary code it throws out when you’re applying font colours etc.
But to be honest – how many WYSIWYG editors out there are perfect? For Microsoft, they’ve not done a bad job!
AJ Troxell said:
I hae used Windows Live Writer since it was released, and it actually makes blogging more enjoyable for me most of the time! It has a wonderful intelligent interface and full of features.
Buy Quality Writing said:
Live Writer has a beautiful, very simple and user-friendly interface that you can get comfortable with and use to write all your articles for any blogs – saving the time of going on to the internet and logging in etc. LW saves your accounts so you can log in to any blog through the program at the click of a button.
“Description Of Live Writer”