So Blogstream is to close down at the end of April...
Whilst I haven't been a regular here for some time, I feel very sorry for folk for whom this is their main - perhaps, only - blogging platform. This was where I first cut my blogging teeth, and I was pretty much in from the start. I've 'met' some really nice people through this network - as well as some... well, you know what I mean 
. I still remember fondly, 'Wally', who was here in the early days, and then retired himself. Between him, myself and many of you old-timers we had a fabulously surreal and side-splittingly funny discussion about the meaning of 'LMFAO'... oh man, it was funny! On this day, I'm gonna dwell on the best of times here. This is a community, and it's always difficult when communities are forced to relocate.
Now that Blogstream bloggers are, maybe, looking to move on, I'm in a good position to share information about options. Why? Well, because over the years I've been flitting about, trying out different blogging platforms. First of all, I'm gonna evaluate Blogstream's pros and cons, as I see them. Then I'll talk you through a few of the options which are out there.
By far the biggest strength, to my mind, is the buzzy interaction between bloggers here. I've never known ANYWHERE else where people so readily leave comments; and, as you know, it's really nice to receive feedback - in this virtual world, it leaves you feeling that you're not simply spouting into the ether! This, I think, is mainly a result of the update window, which allows you to see posts go live (fine for a relatively small network, but not feasible for a massive one, as, in the latter case, it'd be like watching hi-speed film credits).
Most blog sites have a 'most popular blog' display. The problem here, I think, is that this can lead to the longest serving bloggers getting a disproportionate amount of 'traffic'. It's a difficult one, because, on the other hand, they have put in the slog, and, clearly, they must be doing something right. However, once established, they do then tend to have a huge 'competitive' advantage in terms of profile. On other platforms, they sometimes have 'featured' blogs as a way to try and level the field; however, this involves an inevitably partial editorial team deciding what 'good' is - and I'm averse to this 'arbiters of taste' aspect.
Blogstream also has the personal message feature. Again, some other networks have this, but most don't. I'm a bit ambivalent about this myself. On the one hand, it does allow people to talk 'off stage'. However, it can also enable behind the scenes whispers to develop. Put it this way - it wouldn't be a feature that would be high on my list of desirable features. Likewise, the chatroom never really did it for me - and I don't recall ever seeing it offered by other blog providers.
Blogstream is free by default, with a minimal charge 'premium' option. Personally, I like the free low-cost aspect. I don't care for the blogging equivalent of the 'gated community'. The three blog providers I will talk about are all free (and one of them has a low cost premium membership option).
In some ways, the provider which is most similar to Blogstream in terms of interaction and features is a uk domain one:
Blog.co
It is quite small; has an 'recent posts', 'featured blogs' and - a nice touch - 'new users' feature. It is free, but with a low-cost option. It is also the only blog site, other than Blogstream, I know of which has the personal message facility. It also has an interesting additional feature which allows you to share selected posts with friends only. As the domain name suggests, it's a UK hosted site; but, having been on several overseas ones myself, I don't think this is an issue. Overall then 'Blogco' (which is the name I've arbitrarily given it!), is pretty intuitive for new users, and has more functionality than Blogstream.
Wordpress is another contender. Here's a sample blog...
Tiger Feet
Wordpress is free, and, if you know what you're doing, has features and functionality way in advance of any other blog provider. However - and it a big 'however' -, it is not very intuitive at all. I am a pretty experienced blogger with a working knowledge of html etc, but I have struggled with WP. In fact, I recently considered relocating there, but decided not to in the end. If you have the IT skills, this might be the one for you. It doesn't have a recent post window or a communal front page like Blogstream, so you're also going to have to work hard to promote your blog. Hmm...
Now to the provider which is where I currently choose to blog (and have done for the past year). Blogger. Like Wordpress you will have to learn how to promote your blog in order to get new visitors, however it does have many compensatory features. Perhaps the biggest one of all is that it is by far the most intuitive user-friendly blog network I've accessed. I also REALLY like the fact that - if you adjust the settings - you can allow access from non-Blogger visitors. This might be something to think about in a post-Blogstream world where you disperse, and end up on different providers. In terms of functionality, it is very much in advance of Blogstream. You can add lots of gizmos and adjust the layout and template with ease. It also has a sophisticated site stats feature which, for instance, tells me that 'my' (collaborative co-authored history/comedy blog) is receiving a load of visits from those 'decaffeinated' Northern neighbours of yours - the Canadians (what's that all about, eh!)
Anyway, here's our blog, if you want to see an example...
The Ragged Society of Antiquarian Ramblers
As you can see, it has lots of features, and you can set up sub-blogs linked to it if you like. In our case, the addition of a Google map and twitter have really helped to up the visitor count. Also, go to the bottom of the page and you can see 'webring', which is a tool we use to promote the blog (and if you want to 'rate' the site, and offer a review, that be grrreat!). Most important of all, good old Scratch already blogs there - what more could you want!
So there you have it. That's my best shot at sharing what I know. Perhaps I'll see some of you on Blogger in the future. Whatever, I do wish you all well. I will always value my time on Blogstream. Indeed, Dan and I often reminisce about the wild west pioneer days of Blogstream. It was an Headucation, and it's great to have revealed my inner freakery to you all.
Best Wishes,
Postscript: another option to consider is Lalepop's proposal to go it alone and set up your own Blogstreamer's alternative...
Lalespopsart
~ DeBunkem ~
