Blogging is becoming more and more popular nowadays. Lockergnome even started its own blogging Network. A blog can be used for stating opinions, posting about your daily life, to keep family up-to-date, or just posting rants.

This article will take an overview of different blogging software and
compare them by outlining the features and taking a look at the ups
and the downs.

WordPress
The first one we will be taking a look at is my personal favourite: WordPress! I have experimented with different blogging software, and I found this one to be my favourite simply because it is clean, simple,and very customizable. I even use it for my own blog. WordPress, using a backend of PHP and MySQL, is in full compliance with today’s W3C standards. Of course, it posts your entries, but also supports Trackback and Pingback. It also comes with a customizable “Links” menu where you can post your favourite links. Like most other blogging software, it allows comments, and password protected posts, in case you have private blogging messages going to certain individuals. When using WordPress, you are able to have multiple authors per blog, and it also enables you to separate each post within different categories to keep your personal Web log or journal organized. [View full list of features]

pMachine
The next Web Log feature we will be looking at is the pMachine: A very powerful and flexible Web log tool. pMachine, like most other blogging software, uses PHP and MySQL with high rendering. Similar to WordPress, you can have separate categories and your visitors may comment. A great feature with pMachine is that your visitors may sign up and leave their own posts on your Web log. Another good feature is that pMachine comes with an integrated discussion forum for your visitors to post messages and interact with each other. pMachine also comes with a strong search engine that allow your visitors to type in keywords to search for information on your Web log. pMachine’s registration and access levels give you the advantage to post messages that only some members may view. pMachine also comes with a ready contact form for your Web site in case you have no experience with coding. [View full list of features]

MovableType
This next one we are looking at is Lockergnome’s personal favourite. The only downfall I found on this blogging software is that it isn’t Open Source. Other than that, it is probably the best blogging software you can get. MovableType allows you to have multiple Web logs (as permitted on your license). You may create Web logs per interest, or have multiple family members to have their own Web logs. MovableType allows dynamic PHP publishing, making your Web log load faster than before. Like any other blog software, it allows comments and gives you the option to turn them on or off. A unique feature about MovableType that is rarely found on other blog software is you can set up a post date, which posts at a certain date and at a certain time, so if you aren’t even at the computer or online, it will automatically post it for you. MovableType allows integrated file and image uploading, giving you the ability to upload files or images right onto your Web server. Like all the above blogging software, MovableType supports RSS and Atom syndication for your blog. MovableType also comes with a user friendly admin centre that will give you a welcome feeling. [View full list of features]

There is plenty of other Web log software out there that was not covered in this article, for example: Blogger, Textpattern, Greymatter, and b2.

In conclusion, it all depends on what you feel comfortable with. Every blogging software is different and has its own features. The only thing you can do is compare them and decide what features you are in need of most, what features you will most likely use, and what features you will not use.