Don't Back Down

Now that I've mentioned what would make TypePad really rock because those features are things that I run into every day, and also came up with a few features that would make TypePad just a bit better with some features that I run into, but perhaps not quite as often, you might be thinking that I don't like TypePad.

That's actually not the case. In fact, the more I work with it, the more I like it. Sure, you can't do PHP on TypePad, and using PHP makes managing sites easier. But you can use SSI, which is awfully close. In fact, since you use the blog name in SSI calls, all you have to do is substitute one blog's name for another in the SSI and you suddenly have a module that you can easily include on multiple blogs. This isn't quite the same as having a module that you can include from multiple places, because you can't actually parse the content for template tags, but it's close. It isn't Movable Type, but there's a lot to like in there.

It's Easy to Use

Let's face it - not every application that is easy to use is also worth using, but in this regard, most of what TypePad does, it does well. Using the basic templates, you can do almost anything you need to do. For the vast majority of users, you simply select a style and a layout and you're done. It really is as simple as that. Within those two areas, you can even reorder your content and not long ago, they introduced the ability for custom CSS, which allows you to override certain aspects of the design. Don't like the background image? Take it out entirely, or swap it out for one of your liking. Want to change the spacing? Go right ahead. Perhaps most importantly, you can do all of this without losing the ability to change your style, layout and content - a problem if you switch to the advanced templates.

The ability to quickly and easily change the way things look and feel is a big advantage to TypePad. It's not for everyone, but being able to easily do so is a big draw, and this doesn't extend just to the layout. The editor for both entries and pages (more on those in a minute) allows you to use whatever you feel comfortable with - either actual HTML markup or you can use a rich text version so you can see something like what it will look like when posted. It isn't quite an actual preview with your applied styles, but it is often better than nothing at all.

TypeLists

Whether you use the basic templates or the advanced templates, being able to easily store and retrieve data is the bane of many users. The TypeList is a way to get around that limitation. A while back, Arvind created the MT Blogroll plugin to somewhat replicate the functionality in Movable Type, but it just isn't quite the same (sorry, Arvind - it's not your fault!).

If your data is a blogroll (a people list), a list of links (a links list), a list of books or music or just a notes list (which stores any old data, usually used for HTML snippets), TypeLists are very handy indeed, and allow any level of user to get at data in a way that is easily understandable. I have found that they work great in site design, because I can set up a page that pulls content from a TypeList, then a client just has to maintain the list - they never have to touch the code. Ever. They love it.

Pages

Along the lines of not having to update code, TypePad introduced the concept of pages not long ago. This is also a feature that can be found in Movable Type verison 4.x. A page is simply an entry that doesn't fall into the standard archiving model, so you can create a one-off piece of your site. For example, an about page or a contact page. You set up a single template - or perhaps a TypePad Consultant sets one up for you - and then all you have to do is enter the page body.

Just like with TypeLists, you don't have to worry about the code, just the content. It's a great improvement, and makes managing your entire site that much easier.

File Management

Speaking of site management, you have to consider the management of the content of your site. Even though you don't have to worry about the details all that much since it's on someone else's server, there is from time to time a cause to take a look around at what is on the disk. If you have your own hosting account, of course, you can use FTP, or they often offer a file manager. With TypePad, you get built-in file management. It is perhaps not as robust as it could be, but it still will work in a pinch to upload and delete files, which is often all that you need.

As I have mentioned before, a slightly more robust client would be nice, that gave you the ability to rename files and delete entire directories, but it's rare that these functions are needed, so it's not a huge loss. Just something to keep in mind in case anyone at Six Apart is listening!

Those Are the Highlights

I use TypePad with some regularity, even though I don't actually post with it, so these views come from an implementaiton and maintenance point of view, rather than one of daily usage. As such, I'm sure my opinions will probably differ from yours. Feel free to let me know what you think about any of the thoughts I've shared, and if I've left anything out. I know I haven't mentioned much about the photos, for instance, as I don't use them (I've touched on why elsewhere in this series), but if you think I've missed anything, feel free to let me know about it so I can take a look.