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I’ve tested many different ways and weblog clients to create blog posts more effectively, but know I seem to find the best way and I wanted to share it with You. Maybe technique will seem very simple to experienced bloggers, but at least for me it was something I wasn’t aware at start and found out just by testing.
At first I would suggest to use any desktop editing program, because coding article by hand in my opinion takes too much effort, which is not worth it really. I have been using Windows Live Writer for some time, where I like to get automatic SpellCheker, but now I am sticking to another free weblog client BlogDesk. In my opinion these are the best choices if You’re using Windows ( I don’t know how about Mac).
At first I also enjoyed that images are dynamically uploaded to server, while I didn’t reach some problems:
So these were my problems. I am using a lot of images in my list articles, so it was pretty important. So I found solution, which maybe will be useful for You too. I am writing all of my articles on BlogDesk, also I add images to get better overview how everything will look like. When I am done, I go to source/code view ( View–>Source on Blogdesk), then select all code and copy it. Ctrl+a, ctrl+c. Yes, yes, I want to use Find and Replace feature. It’s built in on Notepad and several other text editors, but notepad owns every Windows user. I paste all code on Notepad and leave it there for now. I think for MAC users it should be similarly, You just need that built-in replace feature.
All pictures are kept in one folder at first, I always create new folder for each article and build little backup files for emergencies. So now open Your FTP client, go to place where You want to upload Your images, better create new folder for each article and do Your thing. If You are using WordPress, I would suggest to use path –> public_html(Your domain address)/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Your-article-title-folder/.. and drop images here. It’s handy to separate Your files smart, so You can later easily manage them.
Ok, now let’s return to source code and use handy find/replace feature (I used my site and image path I had).
Idea is to find default image path and replace it with Your online version, so You upload only images You need and manually so Your server don’t get too busy too.
Make sure also Your cursor is active at the start of the post, so You don’t miss any image.
Just copy/paste Your current path and replace it with Your online version and hit “Replace all” button – easy and safe.
Now just paste whole code in new post HTML view and publish article, it’s simple as that.
One more suggestion. I know there are no easy way to convert simple text to headings in weblog clients. At least I have huge list articles and if I use headings, it is a lot more friendlier for SEO than just simple text in bold.
I just put all text I want to convert to headings in <strong></strong> tags, simply and then use the same find/replace feature.
First time I replace <strong> to <h2> for example, second time I replace </strong> with </h2>
I am really hoping this helped, though I am not too good giving tips than creating just list articles :) Let me know if this helped for You and if You have some questions please ask. Also if You know some more advanced way how to do this job, feel free to share.
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Dainis Graveris is 23 years old blogger and designer, founder of 1stWebDesigner, now more silently managing everything behind the scenes. He usually hangs out in Twitter tweeting design related links and chatting with people. If you have any questions or feedback that's the best place to start! Cheers!
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 16:23
I use Open Office, it does all those things you described and more very easily. I’m doing a little research in how I want to design my blog!
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 14:55
another tool to check out!
I actually like wordpress.com WYSIWYG, presently its my best choice. :)
thanks for sharing it.
Friday, January 15th, 2010 13:12
this is a very good tips. how come i never think of this before. thanks.
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 00:56
BlogDesk is great tool! thanks for sharing Dainis!
Monday, May 4th, 2009 19:36
Great post but Im using MAC??!!!
Design-notess last blog post : Top 13 free fonts websites and WHO is the best?
Sunday, April 12th, 2009 19:36
thanks for the tips. friend.
i launched a new site, but i need a good theme.your theme is good , can u give it for us. the link in your page at the bottom, works, but that site stop the option theme for downloading. plz can u do it
sriganesh.ms last blog post : Maya Works: Amit Sangwan
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 20:40
HELP!
I do not have a tech bone in my body/brain…….cannot even copy+paste my emails……..how in the world can i start a blog?…….if you respond, please do so as if you’re speaking to a (non-techie) two year old…….
Thanks!
E.
PS: I have Windows
Friday, March 27th, 2009 06:37
You can set the default image settings by inserting an image, then changing it to the way you want it to be default for all new images. So in your case it would be to remove all the drop shadow and change it to the size you want. Then click ‘save image settings as default’ link. All new images will be inserted with those settings.
If you have any problems, feel free to email me at bturner@microsoft.com
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 15:44
Great article!
BeyondRandoms last blog post : Display Your Twitter Status On Your WordPress Blog
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 21:38
I create pages in DW or InType but the latter is a little more difficult IMHO since DW makes it easy to just create different level headings and paragraph tags. I would probably suggest this for a WordPress user who does not have DW nor cares to spend the cash on it because copying from Word is a nightmare as we all know.
This is almost too techy for most of my clients so I would only suggest this to my more techy clients and leave the rest to writing right inside WordPress.
Frank Stallones last blog post : The Ham Sandwich, Web Development Analogy
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 18:06
Creating and preparing your own blogs is not easy. It probably will be easier if you have a partner to help you design and write at the same time.
audreys last blog post : The Different Types of Printers
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 00:24
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 16:11
Useful article! :)
N_Lites last blog post : Textures – 12 Great Wood Textures Packs
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 16:08
I were doing the same last year when I were using PC (and Windows Live Writer). Now I’m using Mac, and didnt found any good blog publishing desktop client yet. Any reccomendations?
Arturs Medniss last blog post : Ja tu uzspiedīsi uz šī virsraksta, tad neatvērsies bloga ieraksts, bet…
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 15:28
nice tip thanks..
joyoge designers’ bookmarks last blog post : 40 Web Design Artists And 102 Websites Worth Watching | 1stwebdesigner
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 22:28
Brilliant article, great tips for beginners. Other than WordPress what blog editors do you like?
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 19:17
I just plan it out in my composed email, make any changes – upload to WP in HTML mode and find it’s the quickest way.
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 17:16
@Arturs I wanted to create article featuring other weblog clients, but unfortunately I found this post already created on SM, very well explained. This should help You to pick one for Mac, I read the best recommendations for Ecto. – 15-desktop bloggin tools reviewed.
And I am really surprised to see You’re stopping by here actually. :)
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 14:55
i am a new client to wordpress and the blogging world. i am grateful for blogs like these with easy to use tutorials for the basics to get me up on my feet.
i was a web editor before the web came out…people thought i was crazy…lol.
i tell them what i’m doing now…they still think i am; feels great.
stay tuned into this kid…he’s got a good thing going;)
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 04:43
Nice tip! but I am mac though :). Former windows user
Desiztechs last blog post : Yet Another 11+ Tips you can Follow to Increase Traffic
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 03:48
@Joe Cheng nice tip, thanks, helped! Although I don’t like the way Windows Live Writer handles images, giving them by default that drop shadow and not full image size, but resized image, I like BlogDesk because it saves me several extra clicks and time.
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 03:42
Hi, the reason Windows Live Writer uploads two images is because one of them is the one that appears in your post, and the other is the one that appears when you click on the first image. If you don’t want the second image, you can easily tell Writer not to use it. Select an image in your post, then on the sidebar, look at the “Link To” dropdown and change it from “Source Image” to “None”. If you want to make this the default setting for all future images on that blog, look for the “Save settings as default” link at the bottom of the sidebar.
Hope that helps!
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Joe Cheng [MSFT]
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 03:42
Hi, the reason Windows Live Writer uploads two images is because one of them is the one that appears in your post, and the other is the one that appears when you click on the first image. If you don’t want the second image, you can easily tell Writer not to use it. Select an image in your post, then on the sidebar, look at the “Link To” dropdown and change it from “Source Image” to “None”. If you want to make this the default setting for all future images on that blog, look for the “Save settings as default” link at the bottom of the sidebar.
Hope that helps!
joyoge designers' bookmark
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 15:28
nice tip thanks..
joyoge designers’ bookmarks last blog post : 40 Web Design Artists And 102 Websites Worth Watching | 1stwebdesigner
Arturs Mednis
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 16:08
I were doing the same last year when I were using PC (and Windows Live Writer). Now I’m using Mac, and didnt found any good blog publishing desktop client yet. Any reccomendations?
Arturs Medniss last blog post : Ja tu uzspiedīsi uz šī virsraksta, tad neatvērsies bloga ieraksts, bet…
N_Lite
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 16:11
Useful article! :)
http://www.nyzux.net
N_Lites last blog post : Textures – 12 Great Wood Textures Packs
David Hucklesby
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 00:24
Another option would be to use a simplified form of markup, such as Textile or Markdown. I use the former, which is built into the CMS that I use–TextPattern.
TextPattern also has a nice image manager, although I agree that uploading one image at a time can be a pain.
Tom
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 22:28
Brilliant article, great tips for beginners. Other than WordPress what blog editors do you like?
N_Lite
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 20:13
Useful article!
Dainis Graveris
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 03:48
@Joe Cheng nice tip, thanks, helped! Although I don’t like the way Windows Live Writer handles images, giving them by default that drop shadow and not full image size, but resized image, I like BlogDesk because it saves me several extra clicks and time.
Desiztech
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 04:43
Nice tip! but I am mac though :). Former windows user
Desiztechs last blog post : Yet Another 11+ Tips you can Follow to Increase Traffic
pemmy sipl
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 14:55
i am a new client to wordpress and the blogging world. i am grateful for blogs like these with easy to use tutorials for the basics to get me up on my feet.
i was a web editor before the web came out…people thought i was crazy…lol.
i tell them what i’m doing now…they still think i am; feels great.
stay tuned into this kid…he’s got a good thing going;)
Giles Dawe
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 19:17
I just plan it out in my composed email, make any changes – upload to WP in HTML mode and find it’s the quickest way.
Dainis Graveris
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 17:16
@Arturs I wanted to create article featuring other weblog clients, but unfortunately I found this post already created on SM, very well explained. This should help You to pick one for Mac, I read the best recommendations for Ecto. – 15-desktop bloggin tools reviewed.
And I am really surprised to see You’re stopping by here actually. :)
audrey
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 18:06
Creating and preparing your own blogs is not easy. It probably will be easier if you have a partner to help you design and write at the same time.
audreys last blog post : The Different Types of Printers
Vandy
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 22:53
Very useful article.
Vandys last blog post : Haha Funny
Design-notes
Monday, May 4th, 2009 19:36
Great post but Im using MAC??!!!
Design-notess last blog post : Top 13 free fonts websites and WHO is the best?
Alex Yang
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 00:56
BlogDesk is great tool! thanks for sharing Dainis!
jeprie
Friday, January 15th, 2010 13:12
this is a very good tips. how come i never think of this before. thanks.
anna
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 16:23
I use Open Office, it does all those things you described and more very easily. I’m doing a little research in how I want to design my blog!
George
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 14:55
another tool to check out!
I actually like wordpress.com WYSIWYG, presently its my best choice. :)
thanks for sharing it.
Poinianny
Friday, April 17th, 2009 02:25
nice, really nice!
sriganesh.m
Sunday, April 12th, 2009 19:36
thanks for the tips. friend.
i launched a new site, but i need a good theme.your theme is good , can u give it for us. the link in your page at the bottom, works, but that site stop the option theme for downloading. plz can u do it
sriganesh.ms last blog post : Maya Works: Amit Sangwan
Frank Stallone
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 21:38
I create pages in DW or InType but the latter is a little more difficult IMHO since DW makes it easy to just create different level headings and paragraph tags. I would probably suggest this for a WordPress user who does not have DW nor cares to spend the cash on it because copying from Word is a nightmare as we all know.
This is almost too techy for most of my clients so I would only suggest this to my more techy clients and leave the rest to writing right inside WordPress.
Frank Stallones last blog post : The Ham Sandwich, Web Development Analogy
vishal
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 12:04
Thanks for teaching this method!
BeyondRandom
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 15:44
Great article!
BeyondRandoms last blog post : Display Your Twitter Status On Your WordPress Blog
ELIZABETH
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 20:40
HELP!
I do not have a tech bone in my body/brain…….cannot even copy+paste my emails……..how in the world can i start a blog?…….if you respond, please do so as if you’re speaking to a (non-techie) two year old…….
Thanks!
E.
PS: I have Windows
Brandon Turner [MSFT]
Friday, March 27th, 2009 06:37
You can set the default image settings by inserting an image, then changing it to the way you want it to be default for all new images. So in your case it would be to remove all the drop shadow and change it to the size you want. Then click ‘save image settings as default’ link. All new images will be inserted with those settings.
If you have any problems, feel free to email me at bturner@microsoft.com