Subject: TypePad reaction
Time: 8:40:48 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
I didn't share my reaction to TypePad because we beta testers were asked not to for sometime (how much time, I was never sure).
I think the service is good but...
: I see no reason whatsoever why they cannot set this up to FTP the finished weblog page to my server under my domain. Hell, if Blogger can do it, TypePad sure as hell should be able to! I like the functionality. I like not having to worry about installing new versions of the software or keeping it running.But I do NOT want to be hosted by TypePad or use a bad TypePad address.
: 3 megs maximum bandwidth is not nearly enough; I've gone through 10 times that. Again, if I hosted the page myself, that would be my problem. But since it's hosted at TypePad, it's my problem with TypePad now.
: I wouldn't say the deal's so great. At HostingMatters, where I am hosted (as are Instapundit and many other blogs), you get 3 megs of traffic for $8 a month vs. $15 a month for TypePad. Sure, the software is included at TypePad but with Movable Type, that's a minor expense by comparison.
: The user interface is frequently clumsy. I wish the "send" button were at the top of the screen, so I would not have to scroll down every time I post. (Something I did mention to Anil long back.) The pages have double navigation, something I abhor because it only leads to confusion. I know, they wanted to create shortcuts -- but that is usally a reaction to over-complex functionality and navigation.
: It's driving me nuts that I cannot edit the order of links on my list (my blogroll).
: Bottom line: If you're just starting out on a blog, AOL is a better deal: easier, though less flexible; shares the same problem with URLs; I know of no limits on bandwidth.
: Mind you, there's a great deal I like about TypePad -- galleries, moblogging, stats, and much more -- as there is even more I like about Movable Type; that's why I use it. But I think it can be better. Knowing this crew, it will be better.
: My other fear is that Movable Type will be neglected as attention is paid to TypePad. I hope that will not be the case. The functionality that has been brought to TypePad must come to Movable Type soon or else Movable Type risks being caught in a squeeze between new competitors.
(Here's my TypePad test blog)
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Subject: More nits
Time: 3:58:40 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
: The more I think about it, the clearer it is that AOL has to grapple with its users' ability to insert graphics into their templates -- as a header, to give the page personality, but also on the sidebars, to add buttons and badges.
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Subject: Blog nits
Time: 5:42:32 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
I'll just keep making random notes as I find them:
: AOL: We need to be able to change the logo and the top of the design on the AOL blogs or they won't feel personal; they'll all look the same; they'll telegraph boredom when they should shout personality. It's not hard to give us a few pixels on which to create a logo.
: TypePad: Will I be able to FTP my blog to my own host using TypePad? If not, I'd be stuck. The biggest account allows 3 gigs of transfer per month; I've used more than 10 times that (and I'm hardly using as much as the biggest).
: TypePad: I put lots of links on my Typepad blog and was frustrated that I could not change the order of them; they list the last first.
: AOL: The AOL hit counter is all screwed up: You can't see it without making it public and when you add it to your site, it starts at zero, so it doesn't count unless you show it. People will hate that. They don't want to share stats until the stats make them proud.
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Subject: TypePad
Time: 5:16:53 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
Anil did let me into Typepad and I've started a new and hyperlocal blog about my town, the BernardsBlog, there, just to try it out.
Here, I'll still post notes on the two blogging styles: Typepad and AOL.
AOLers who are reading would be wise to note the comments here and on BuzzMachine; audience members already have good suggestions:
: One is that the type is too small.
: Another reader got freaked out that her AOL email address was automatically and irrevocably attached to a comment.
: Many ask about the ability to add bits of HTML goodness to the blogs.
: I just noticed that when I add a link, it doesn't show the full HTML but just the WYSIWYG link; that's a very nice touch.
I'm not supposed to post a critique of Typepad for a few days, so I won't. I will say this: AOL is clearly much easier.
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Subject: Typepad
Time: 8:37:17 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
Now if
Anil would just get me into the
Typepad beta, as he promised, then I could compare and contrast.
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Subject: Auf Deutsch
Time: 8:19:28 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
I've found much interest in AOL blogs on
German blogs. I wonder whether they've translated it auf Deutsch.. Das wird klug sein.
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Subject: Grumpy and deaf
Time: 8:16:21 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
Note that I have no mood and I'm listening to nothing. I don't like being asked for my mood with every post. I don't care if that's what LiveJournal et al do; it just makes me grumpy. I wasn't grumpy until it asked me whether I was grumpy but asking me made me grumpy.
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Subject: This post from IM
Time: 8:14:18 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
And now I'm going to try to post via IM. This is pretty cool. It
will be really cool when I figure out how to do it from my mobile
phone.
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Subject: My first AOL entry
Time: 8:08:56 PM EDT
Author: jeffjarvis
I'm trying out AOL's new blogging tool. I have nothing to say here. I have emptied my brain
here. But more will flow.
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