Category Archives: Movable Type

A very popular piece of blogging software, I used it for years, but then switched (to WP). I miss it sometimes, the original learning curve is a a lot higher, but once you’re in it, I still think you can do a few more advanced things a little easier.

Movable Type in 24 Hours

Posted on June 6, 2004 | 1 comment

I finally saw a copy of ‘Teach Yourself Movable Type in 24 Hours’ at the store and it’s mine! Mine! Mine! I’ll do a short review later. But I’m notoriously bad at doing book followups….

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RE: Blogs – 7

Posted on May 30, 2004 | Leave a comment
1. Why do you read other blogs? Is it voyeurism? Curiosity? Are you just being nosy?
Hell yeah! It’s interesting. Sometimes it’s like “what will they post this week?” and “don’t they realize their kids’ll read this some day?!?”. And sometime’s it’s to keep up with friends or technical information.
2. What is it that keeps you coming back to the blogs you read, regularly?
Sometimes to fine out the next chapter of their “soap opera”, or the next quiz, or goofy thing their kid did. Sometimes I read it just because I stopped by for a meme…
3. Do you leave a comment on every blog you read? If not – what is it that motivates you to click the “Comments” link?
No, should I? I usually only speak up if I have something to say. I agree, disagree, know the “right” answer, etc. Sometimes it’s just a friendly I remember how that feels, it’ll better, etc. And I’ll comment (or trackback) when i do their quiz/meme/etc.
4. Speaking of other blogs you read regularly . . you know the protocol by now – list’em!
Didn’t we just do this last week? I would update, but I blew out my bookmarks this week, so I’m back to last weeks (thank God for backups!) bookmarks. Oh, I’ve added one I remember… But it hasn’t been updated much since I found it drunkenbee, and I always check out the Movable Type start page since they list recently updated MT blogs.

From RE: Blogs

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Meme about blogging – RE: Blogs

Posted on May 23, 2004 | Leave a comment
1. Blog confession time: Is there a topic that you shy away from on purpose on your blog? What is that topic, and why?
I barely ever complain, so that keeps me out of trouble but that’s a topic as much as a concept. Dating is something I avoid, I’d probably mention holidays or something in regards to it but just generally talking about dating I’d avoid. Because if I blog less or more it’s sure to mean something that I didn’t intend and I don’t want people comparing notes (that I supply)…
2. Define your blog to the world – in six words.
Nice, fun, happy, non–politcal, geek-ish, thoughtful…
3. Repeat question from RE: Blogs 1: What is current, most favorite blog tool?
Ecto is a great blogging client for the desktop for OS X, be sure to check it out (I thin ikthey just did a windows version). Also, I just added PHP to my Movable Type system, that was a breeze and helps me do a few things more efficiently…
4. RE:Blogs that have captured your attention – – no number limit here – – hand out some link luvin’s from your blog to theirs
  • Here In Katie’s Head I get to read about a semi-normal person through their on-line diary.
  • Heather thinks Rambling is Good for the Soul and she’s been a friend for a ling time, it’s interesting to keep in touch without direct communication.
  • Sarah is definitely a SassyPants I don’t know where I found her but I like my daily dose.
  • I just got Dawn hooked on blogging so she’s been a must read lately.
  • Melissa is Anything but Ordinary and posts a good read too.
  • I’ve been using The Daily Meme and Lost (and Found) Memes lately when looking for things to blog about, they’ve made it easier which means I do it more. Not sure if that’s a good thing. (Shameless plug)
  • This Fish Needs a Bicycle even has an application on-line.
  • This is taking forever to do this part… I’ve either got the above memorized or I was playing with a RSS feed beta in Yahoo! so I had the addresses on hand. I’ll have to elaborate on these and others more later…

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    Speaking of Ben and Mena

    Posted on May 17, 2004 | Leave a comment

    Go listen to a great interview with Ben and Mena from Six Apart (Movable Type). ben and mena trottThey have an interview with Doug Kayeat at IT Conversations. It’s very enlightening since it took place before last Thursday. Anyone who thinks they backpedaled after their announcement would be wrong (maybe a tiny bit right, but not much), they pretty much say it all here (a week or two before). Listen to the recording (it’s 39 minutes) you need to hear it, not read it. They say how they (the company) are changing, what people aren’t going to like and what the changes are and all sorts of interesting things. I think I like them even more now…

    IT Conversations is a great web site. Lots of interesting interviews and conversations.

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    Friends and more… – RE: Blogs

    Posted on May 17, 2004 | Leave a comment
    1. Have you made lasting friendships via your blog that grew into a ‘real life’ friendship?
    No, but I’m feeling like I’m getting to know some of the other people better. Which is kinda silly, I know details, but I don’t really know them. I hope someone organizes a Michigan Blogger Happy Hour (Detroit) or something to meet some of these people.
    2. How many of your offline conversations with friends, family, co-workers contain the words, “I blogged about that the other day….”?
    Generally never. I don’t usually mention it unless someone asks. I talk about the web and bloggers but I don’t generally mention it’s me. Anyone who finds it (or whatever) is fine, but I don’t advertise… Not sure exactly why. Probably ’cause I don’t think they’ll “get it” and by the time they ask they’ll understand better?
    3. Regarding blog templates – have you made any cool updates to your digs?
    Just yesterday. I did a lunar theme and it should change automatically as the moon phase does.
    4. Have any blogs given you inspiration this week – – good, bad or ugly?
    All the complaining about Movable Type just made me think about UseNet/NetNews and the whining that always went on there. Asking a few questions, reading all the information really would have gone a long way. It was more a dis-inspiration. All the blogging about the torturing and beheding has pretty much had some bad karma too. I’ve actually had a good week reading, it’s just been tainted by some of the stuff. Actually Katie has been pretty geeked about her new apartment which has been a nice read and has put a smile on since she’s SO happy about it…

    From RE: Blogs

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    MovableType part 3.0

    Posted on May 16, 2004 | Leave a comment

    It’s a little later since my earlier MT posts (one and two) and people have calmed down a bit about MovableType’s new pricing structure. Which for individual personal use really isn’t that different than the previous versions. I like that some of the big names in MT blogging feel the same way as I do/did. (Of course I didn’t list the few big names that disagreed with me.)

  • BradChoate
  • Kotte
  • Jay Allen

    Here’s the problem. It might be enough of a fiasco to have really hurt the company. If for no other reason that bloggers heard about all the alternatives; some of the less expensive (free) alternatives. I’ve been a little blinded from the beginning in loving MT so much I wasn’t exploring all the alternatives but I’m happy with it, so why switch?

    Continue reading →

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    More Movable Type

    Posted on May 15, 2004 | 2 comments

    This is a bit of a followup to my earlier entry on the new pricing scheme at MT (which could have be subtitled “whiners begone”). Read Melissa’s post, she made it pretty understandable when she summarized up Mena’s followup post (which clarified a few things and even retroactively removed a thing or two from the EULA). I’m sure they lost some business, there were too many upset people yesterday.

      Highlights of the update

    • Some of their choices were made due to results of a survey (which I failed to answer). If you combine two or three blogs into one (and they aren’t used sepratly) it only counts as one.
    • The dual processor rule should not have been in the EULA.
    • You are not required to upgrade to 3.0 and you only have to obey the liscence as to when you agreed to it.
    • You can add individual author/logs to the personal license for $10.
    • Old archived blogs don’t count.

    Mena says: “Furthermore, it is not our intention to stiffle the creativity of our users. So, if you have a great weblog that uses 11 weblogs seamlessly to appear as one site or weblog, you should not be penalized.”

    I feel bad, I bet Mena and Company lost some sleep yesterday (or maybe they keep a bar at the office).

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    MovableType 3.0

    Posted on May 13, 2004 | 4 comments

    MovableType released their new version of blogging software and just about everyone has gone through the roof. They’ve got a new pricing scheme and guess what? It’s not free any more. And everyone is whining. The software has only been out for a few hours, it’s not like everyone is desperate for an upgrade. Many folks seem like they are going to jump ship immediately?!? The biggest feature seems to be the registration for comments which not many people seem interested in.

    My favorite whine is: “it doesn’t have that many more features and it costs too much”, well, keep using the version you’ve got then.

    I probably won’t upgrade unless it’s got some great feature in it. But I don’t rush out and buy the latest version of anything the day it comes out either… I might switch over to a different product and I might rave about it when I do, but I don’t think I’ll whine about MovableType when I do (especially if the only thing they screw up about it is the price/marketing).

    I love MovableType, it’s the only blogging software I’ve tried but it seems that’s what all the cool kids (i.e. smart) are using. I mean I really like it, it’s great. I have see a few other things but they seemed a little more complicated but I may peek into it some more. It’s fun from a programming standpoint, it’s flexible and I really have been having a lot fun with it.

    I gotta ask again. “What’s wrong with your current 2.661 version of Movable Type that would make you migrate to another piece of software?” I haven’t noticed anyone complaining that 3.0 has (crucial) features they want and can’t afford.

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