When Windows Live Writer, a desktop client for blogs, was released, I ignored it until I read the summary post at ProBlogger. The feedback from other blogs was mostly positive (which is unusual given the techie bias against Microsoft), so I downloaded and installed the software.
What I like about Windows Live Writer:
- The Web Preview is outstanding.
- The software installs quickly and flawlessly.
- The interface is clean and uncluttered.
- The WYSIWYG editor and spell checker work - what more could you ask!
- The program works with LiveSpaces, Typepad, WordPress and Blogger.
- Adding images and maps is a snap and there are lots of ways to customize them.
Things I don’t like about Windows Live Writer:
- Uploading images failed but the program gave me the option to setup FTP.
- The program creates a Windows Live Writer sub-directory within my image directory.
- Each new post opens in a new window.
- Selecting Close from the File menu closes the application not the post.
- The Post Properties gizmo shows Link and Keywords, but I don’t know what these boxes actually do in WordPress.
I ran into a few glitches when I tried to post this draft to the Infomaven Notes blog. Uploading images wasn’t supported until I set-up image FTP. Even then the program still reported that it couldn’t upload the images, but it actually did upload them.
The post properties options aren’t real clear. I don’t really know what Link or Keywords refers to, so I’m hesitant to use them.
Windows Live Writer and Blogger
I’ve always liked Blogger. It’s free, easy to use, and has pretty nice templates. However, I’m not a fan of the built-in editor. Because of this I’ve tested various desktop programs like W.bloggar, but I’ve found that they are not a whole lot better.
I tested the Windows Live Writer with two different Blogger blogs and found one interesting difference. Windows Live Writer downloaded the template and previous posts for the blog that has its own hosting. It wasn’t able to do either with the blog that uses Blogspot hosting.
The bottom line: I’ll stick with Blogdesk for my WordPress blogs, but use Windows Live Writer for Blogger accounts.
