Blogger

Blogger, owned by Google, is a service that facilitates website publishing. I read about it a few months ago and finally started using it this past winter. At first, it seemed rather pointless because it didn't do anything that I couldn't do better, however, I found it to have the following advantages:

• Allows posting to website via the Blogger interface or by sending a simple email.  The posts are automatically formatted and fully integrated into the site layout, navigation bar, and archives.  This greatly facilitates updating when away from the computer where the web stile is saved and it facilitates group collaboration.
• Allows group collaboration on a website. The owner can enter his password for a domain ftp on the Blogger site and authorize others to post. These users then have access without needing the owner's password.
• Allows quick edits of style sheets with a preview feature. I have Dreamweaver 3, which supports CSS somewhat, but I don't get a preview. Although with Blogger, I have to enter all the code manually, I do get to click preview to see how it looks.
• Blogger manages archives very well.

The service is surprisingly flexible. It is an excellent services for websites that are changed often.  I have transferred both this website and the Associação Regional Caldense website to my Blogger account and have designed both templates with a distinct look and function, tailored to each site's audience and purpose. Blogger offers relatively few templates, but I did find one that I liked enough that with some modifications became the template for this site.