General blog website/software

[SpatiallyAware]

I'm looking for a simple way to create a blog, paid is fine.

It would be nice if I could host pictures with the same service, but I also have smugmug if that isn't possible.

I would like to be able to somehow have a private section with a general password.. In other words, I don't want user accounts and all that.


Thanks

[ringtail]

our friends at BitNami in Spain have several preconfigured stacks you can download, install and run FREE.

Look down left margin for BLOG:
http://bitnami.org/stacks

Blog

Roller
WordPress
Typo
WebPack

[ringtail]

you might want this too:
How to install and make public any BitNami Stack

[Gooberlx2]

Windows Live Writer is the best blogging software I've used, imo.

[colonelciller]

I like wordpress for blogs... there are tons of themes available (paid and non-paid).

Do you plan on purchasing your own domain name? If you do then you'll need to also spend some money (not much) on web hosting.

Wordpress is very easy to use. my 2¢

[Gooberlx2]

Originally Posted by colonelciller

If you do then you'll need to also spend some money (not much) on web hosting.

IIRC, wordpress can integrate with your domain via cname records. Same as google's blogger does...though wordpress does cost $13 per year apparently.

[Marksey]

If you want full control and are technical savvy, then Wordpress is the way forward without a shadow of a doubt. I've been using it for a while now and love it.

[colonelciller]

Originally Posted by Gooberlx2

IIRC, wordpress can integrate with your domain via cname records. Same as google's blogger does...though wordpress does cost $13 per year apparently.

if you provide your own hosting for your own domain name then wordpress is free. some themes cost money,others dont.

the twenty ten theme is ultra basic, free, and can be modified to look radically different than the stock twenty ten look... the advantage modding a theme like twenty ten is that you get regular updates from wordpress that don't affectthelook of your blog while stilll providing security and other enhancements behind thee scene.

modding is tricky and dreamweaver can be used quite well for this with some setup work. that said, there are some really great ready made themes out there.