Free Blog Sites
Paid Platforms & Open Source Content Management Systems
There are many free blog sites where you can make a start on blogging. If you think this is a comprehensive listing of resources, think again. Free blog sites are increasing like a Pregnant lady with twins! I have included a large list of content management systems and blogging platforms that might cover the major ones - for now. I expect by the middle of the year it will be out of date with new and interesting sites that have not yet been seen or that I haven't stumbled across.
The bottom line is that this is a choice area for free blog sites somewhat like a sweetshop. Having multiple blogs may be a good idea for an advanced user but choosing one or two, at least to start, is best for most people. There are simply not enough hours in a day to keep your blogs busy and active while you are learning some more advanced techniques.
Blogger see individual entry Blogger Blogs
b2
A sleek and highly underrated weblog publishing tool. You need PHP4 (version 4.0.5 or higher), MySQL (version 3.23.23 or higher), and Perl (optional) to run this program on your server. This is a free blogging platform.
b2evolution
b2evolution is a powerful blog tool you can install on your own website using fantastico.It includes all the features of traditional blog tools, and extends into features such as file & photo management, skinning, multiple blogs support as well as detailed user permissions. It also has third party plug-ins and it's free, open-source (GPL). It runs on virtually any webserver featuring PHP+MySQL and it's available in many languages.
BlogCMS
A Nucleus off-shot described as the “most complete, feature-packed, personal publishing system on the market”, BlogCMS seems to be moving ahead of Nucleus with a bigger user and support base and forums. Free under GPL.BLOG:CMS is a complete personal publishing platform with a focus on advanced bloggers. Bloggers with high-end needs. It comes in several flavours, from BLOG:CMS Light and BLOG:CMS eXtreme, to truly magnificient BLOG:CMS Moosified Edition
Blog Drive
This free blog site with a clean interface supports multiple blogs and authors, as well as built-in features like a tag board, commenting system, email notification, calendar, and archives. You just need to display a banner on your blog.
Blog Easy
Here's a simple blogging host with free and premium services available. The account has basic features like comments and archives. There are limited customizable features.
Blog-City
Basic blog features are available in the free version, like comments, archives and online administration. Blogs expire after a certain time if they're not used. The advertisement-free premium service contains more advanced features like RSS feeds, photo albums, BlogBoards, search, and more.
BlogHoster
BlogHoster is a PHP-based software product which allows you to provide a blog hosting service on your website.
Blog Now Australian free blog site
Blogono.com Free wordpress platform blogs
Blogflux Blog Flux is a blog portal that offers a variety of blog services from one site.
Blosxom
Blosxom (pronounced "blossom") is an open source web logging platform that runs on Perl. This is best for bloggers who seek a simple, 'minimalist' blogging software.
Blojsom
The blogware behind Apple’s OSX Tiger server, Blojsom is fairly unique in being powered by Java and was inspired originally by Blosxom. Free under BSD.
Blogsome
A free web hosting site for blogs, based on WordPress.
Blogflux
Blog Flux is a blog portal that offers a variety of blog services all from one easy to use site.
Bloglines
Your own blog with easy one-click tools, subscribe to blogs, email groups, and websites, billions of articles indexed since 2003,share your favorites with friends. Sign up it's free!
Bravenet Journal
One of the latest offerings of Bravenet, a web services company, is this blogging system. You just need to sign-up to start your own blog. There are some built-in functions like comments, mood indicator and a tag board. The free version contains several ads for Bravenet. To remove the ads, you need to pay a subscription fee.
Community Server: Very awesome blog, does cost for versions beyond the basic one.
DeadJournal
This is a blogging provider for Goths(!) and individuals who wish to belong to a community of bloggers with an "edge."
Diaryland
The latest version of Diaryland (one of the first blog sites) offers two ways to share posts and stories: a one-entry-per-page view (original diary-type posts) and multiple-entries-per-page view (blog-type posts). This site is primarily for personal users.
Drupal
Alternate Content Management Systems that can also easily be installed with fantastico . Steer clear of these if you are looking for a simple blog but if you want an easy to use yet complex website, then playing around with one of these systems may become a habit.
Expression Engine
Expression Engine is described as being the top of the line. From the makers of pMachine, this powerful blogging tool provides a paid alternative to MovableType but it’s alleged that you may be paying for their support.
FileFront Blog available for Gamers.
Geeklog
It's a content management system and weblog platform that uses PHP4 and MySQL. It’s easy to install with Fantastico. Some of its features include messaging, comments, polls, and calendar, among others.
Habari A new content management system aiming to give wordpress a run for the top platform.
iBlog Australian, free blogging platform, based on wordpress.
Joomla
One of the best content management systems now has a wordpress plugin and also plugins that can make search engine friendly links. It’s easy to install with fantastico and able to manage many different functions with modules.
JournalSpace
Simple, feature-filled weblog hosting provider. It has moblogging, photo blogging, site feeds, audio blogging and other functions. It's free!
List Posts Wordpress blogs on a free blog site
Live Journal
This popular free blog host is preferred by many individuals who enjoy a community-based blogging system. It is web-based and the sign-up process is quick and easy. There's also a premium version.
Mambo
Alternate Content Management Systems that can also easily be installed with fantastico . Steer clear of these if you are looking for a simple blog but if you want an easy to use yet complex website, then playing around with one of these systems may become a habit.
Mephistoblog
Not another bloated CMS, or a community blogging tool. It’s also not a kickstart to your rails app development. It’s strictly going to remain a kick ass publishing tool. Also not a beginners blog.
Movable Type
This is a popular blog software among bloggers who like to manipulate web designs, formats, and functions. However, you need to have some programming skills (or pay for an installation service) and your own web host. While there is a free version, some bloggers might find the licensing agreement on this too limiting. For more flexibility, there are several licensing fee options for both personal and commercial users.
MSN Live Spaces Webpage or Profile Page and blog.
MySpace
Profile Page and blog.There are many more social sites that have a blog feature but I’m trying to just do the major blogs and blog platform software. For more social sites, there is an extensive list in the Social Book marking Books in the Traffic module.A my Space blog however helps you get sites indexed by MSN.
http://www.myst-technology.com Business Blogging Platform
Plone
CoreBlog with Plone or Zope. Its free, a blog platform and you can download it from the site.
Nucleus Blog and Content Management System can be installed with fantastico.
Pivot
A use no database web log from Europe that maintains a loyal user base and has an impressive range of features.
Rapidweaver
is a quite simple, elegant and powerful blogging software (for mac). It isnt a cms as such, but there are some good projects underway to expand its options.
RSFBlog
Paid blog and photo platform. Part of your subscription goes to Reporters Without Borders, an NGO that defends press freedom and the rights of journalists and bloggers around the world. The organisation gives financial help to the families of those in prison in repressive countries because of material they’ve posted online.
Semiologic
Theme and plugin creators for wordpress. The Semiologic theme is much more than a simple WordPress theme. It is an internet marketing website building framework that was designed with ease of use in mind. http://www.semiologic.com/software/
SquareSpace
Sleek, powerful hosted weblog system. There's a free package, but more features are available for those who purchase either a personal or business license. Often used for professional blogs and is a good photo blog platform.
Serendipity
Serendipity is a PHP-powered weblog application to maintain an online diary, weblog or a complete homepage. While the default package is designed for the casual blogger, Serendipity offers a flexible, expandable and easy-to-use framework with the power for professional applications. Its great for developers/programmers and individual bloggers alike. Lots of customisation options and plugins available.
Shoutpost
Free host does not place ads on pages and offers friends-only or private posting options.
SubTEXT Very strong, blog-only, free.
Symphony21 Free system powered by XSLT and connected to overture
Terrapad
Free or paid content management system including blogs.
tBlog
A free blog tool with free blog templates and hosting. Just sign-up, design your theme, and start blogging. You can customize the look and feel of your site. And, unlike many free blog platforms/hosts, this one does not force you to display a banner on your blog.
21Publish
21Publish is a new paid blog service that is geared towards "cooperative publishing" (mainly for groups). It allows organizations to build their own blog portals. The fees vary, depending on the number of bloggers, expected usage, etc.
Thoughts
Free online blog community with added features that you won't find on other free blog sites including unlimited bandwidth, photo, video and podcast sharing, community forums and live news discussions.Thoughts is an online community of bloggers world wide.
Twitter
The ultimate minimalist blog. Two lines of text allowed at a time and you can do it from your phone. Fascinating tweeting and powerful networking free blog site.
TypePad
TypePad is the premier blogging service for professionals, hosting many of the world’s most popular blogs and small business websites. Last I looked, Typepad was $4.95 a month for the entry-level blog with additional functionality available for $8.95 or $14.95 a month.
Typo3 timtab
TYPO3 is a free Open Source content management system for enterprise purposes on the web and in intranets. It offers full flexibility and extendability while featuring an accomplished set of ready-made interfaces, functions and modules.
Text Pattern
It is a simple content management system that can be used for web logs. It has a clean interface. Aims to give greater design flexibility to web pages.
UpSaid
This host offers a free and premium service. The free service offers basic features like templates, counters, polls, and a guestbook. It has a clean, smooth look that can be easily customized.
UserLand Software
This is a Personal and Business web logging tool. Manila software is for business enterprises and Radio UserLand is for personal publishing. There are free trial copies available on the site. Both are available for a fee after the trial version expire.
Vox One of the six apart group and this one's free
WordPress See individual entry
Yahoo360 Yahoos free blog platform will help you get sites indexed with yahoo.
As I said it's not a comprehensive list and there are many more free blog sites that you can use but it's a start and will show you the range of options available to bloggers everywhere.
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