Most hobbies require you to use tools, and blogging is no exception. Of course we all know that there are only three essential tools required to blog: a computer, an internet connection and an idea (something to write about). However, most bloggers also use other tools to help them blog, especially when blogging becomes a serious pastime (or even a part-time job).
Besides my laptop, broadband internet connection and blogging ideas, I also use several blogging tools which I consider "essential" to blogging. These include:
- A notepad and pen, for jotting down ideas
- Image software (Photoshop is preferable, though previous;y I used GiMP, which is free software)
- An RSS/Feed reader, so I can keep up to date of my favorite blogs!
- Firefox Browser: since installing this browser, I've found blogging much easier as I can easily switch between tabs to view different pages
While these tools are hardly necessary for blogging, they can be very helpful.
What would you add to this list?
Do you have a set of blogging tools? If so, what would you add to my list?
In the near future, I'll be posting a short series of posts specifically for new bloggers, and would like to create a list of easily accessible tools which can be helpful when blogging. I'd love to know what tools or programs you find helpful, and will expand this list to include the most popular tools as recommended by you. Please leave your comments below, or send me an email if you prefer. I look forward to your input!
Technorati Tags: blogging | tools | blogger+help | new+blogger
I use Notepad++ to write my posts. It is an excellent but simple text-editor with a lot of nice features, especially if you are into programming in general.
ReplyDeleteThanks Thomas, Notepad++ looks really interesting! I will probably download this as an alternative to MS Notepad, which is what I generally use for programming. And I'm sure others will find it very useful too :)
ReplyDeleteI use Flock to basically do everything with. It's a great browser for bloggers.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteYou forgot something essential - digital camera.
I also sometimes use webcam with headset and microphone plus Windows Movie Makers to make video.
Like you, my favorite browser is FireFox, but has been unhappy I can't use the Google toolbar to check Blogger post anymore since upgrading from 1.5 to 2.0
See
What is Firefox and why you should be using it
Most convenient way to check spelling of Blogger post
I do multi-tasking plus I often use my favorite trick to solve difficulties by using a different browser whenever I come across a problem (many recommend clearing cache, cookies, but it means you have to start on many things from scratch. I prefer to chose the time to clear cache and cookies, not when forced to). See
What to do when you can't upload photos, sign in, load a page, etc
What to do when you can't see new post, can't see changes after editing template, etc
Why I have 5 browsers in my computer
Previously I was very happy with Opera but recently cannot sign into Blogger with Opera
Problems signing into Blogger with Opera
I have since started using Flock like Sean (Flock is based on Mozilla Firefox) and have been very happy with it except I can get the Google toolbar with this browser.
Peter (Blog*Star)
Blogger Tips and Tricks
Although it may be excessive Peter, I always keep Firefox and Flock up and running at the same time. I use Firefox and it's great extensions (IE tab, GMail Manager, GSpace Manager, and Web Developer) for my basic browsing. I also have IE, Opera, Songbird, and Safari but rarely use any of them.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda - I like to put all the photos, that I want to upload to my blog in a folder on my desktop. That way it is EASY and QUICK to find them!
ReplyDelete~ Susan
Amanda, regarding completely replacing Notepad there is info on the site on how to accomplish this 100% (so using from "notepad" from the windows console will instead start Notepad++).
ReplyDeleteCheers!
For Peter: I did consider adding the digital camera/web-cam to the list, though I wasn't sure how essential it was to other bloggers. On my personal blog, I used my camera (or rather, my cameraphone) extensively, but I don't use one at all for Blogger Buster.
ReplyDeleteFor the screenshots I post here, I use ScreenHunter, a free screenshot program. Since I've had a few people ask me about this now, I've now posted a full article about ScreenHunter.
As regards the variety of browsers available, I confess I only have IE and Firefox currently installed. However, I do ensure I check templates in many different browsers using the free service by BrowserShots to ensure compatibility.
For Sean: I'll take a look at the Flock browser to see how this works for me. Like Peter, I do love the Google toolbar and various add-ons I have in Firefox though.
For Susan: I do something very similar too; all of my images for posts are contained in a separate folder from everything else. It's much easier than searching through the reams of folders I have for a particular image!
Photoshop
ReplyDeleteChrome
Notepad
Dreamwaver
Thank You love your site with much informaion...
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ReplyDeleteYouve listed pretty much all of it already!LOL haha! I use my pen and notepad to do some freewriting until Im able to come up with an interesting topic. Oh! Id like to say that music is also an essential blogging tool for me for it helps soothe my mind while creating a post.
ReplyDelete