WordPress or MovableType

[yesthattom]

I run one MovableType blog, but I’m about to start another so its a good time to reconsider the software.

I hear people mention WordPress but I don’t know what it’s speciality or niche is. Their website certainly doesn’t spell it out. The only advantage I can see is that it will maintain the non-blog pages for you... but MovableType does that too.

What I’m trying to do is create a web site where multiple people will be able to draft articles but approval/publication will be limited to certain people. I just need blog, a blogroll, a Google AdSense box, and possibly some links to a few (3-4) non-blog pages (about us, how to join, etc.)

Recommendations?

Comments

[aillecat.livejournal.com]

I've been using Mambo to build sites like that... as well as other sites that I need content management for. Its basic set of features is nice, but there are a lot of component add-ons out there.....

Its really pretty good, it might be too featureful for what you want.

[cos]

Have you looked at scoop, the software that dailykos and mydd use?

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to narrow my choices, not expand them :-)

I don't see any hosting sites that will pre-install Scoop, and while I may be a sysadmin, I don't want to be a sysadmin for this project so that rules out Scoop unless they have some magic beans that make it worth using.

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

In particular, I'm NOT looking for something customizable. I want something that has a default config that is reasonable.

[badger2305.livejournal.com]

Hey, Tom - keep me posted as to what you decide on. I've got a number of projects that would benefit from something like what you are interested in. Thanks!
Victor

[disappearinjon.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that Wordpress got a big boost when MT changed their licensing terms, that the packages are broadly similar in style and scope. I say if you run one MT site and you're comfortable with their license (IIRC they fixed most of the issues that pushed people to WP in the first place), you should stick with that.

[dossy.livejournal.com]

If you don't want to admin. the setup and are happy with Movable Type, I'd suggest looking into TypePad, which is Six Apart's hosted MT setup.

Otherwise, if you want free (as in beer), then look at WordPress. MT wouldn't be free for you since you want multiple authors, etc. ("You can download an unsupported version of Movable Type for free. You're limited to 1 author and 3 weblogs.")

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

You got it!

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

What do they mean by this paragraph:

WordPress Pages --- Pages allow you to manage non-blog content easily, so for example you could have a static "About" page that you manage through WordPress.

Do they simply let you upload files (MT does that too) or do they let you bring up the file in an editor environment, let you control which users can edit which pages, etc.?

(About the license: I'm ok with it.)

[disappearinjon.livejournal.com]

Do they simply let you upload files (MT does that too) or do they let you bring up the file in an editor environment, let you control which users can edit which pages, etc.?

It certainly lets you bring up the file in an editor environment --- they're really treated like blog entries but outside of the 'stream' of entries. Pretty much all of the other tools that you can bring to bear on WordPress entries work for the static pages.

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

Sounds cool. Do you happen to have a site up that you could let me into to poke around? I won't make any changes.

Tom

[disappearinjon.livejournal.com]

I don't see a PGP key or anything on your homepage... but make an account at www.twoideas.org and I'll temporarily up your access level.

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

My plan is to use a hosting service like livingdot.com which pays the license fees for me.

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

Wow! I just got a demo of WordPress and I'm totally pumped about moving to it.