Apples and Oranges - Why Blogs Haven’t Killed Websites
ProBlogger’s got a post up by Suzanne Falter-Barns, basically retelling Andy Wibbels’ opinions on why blogs have killed conventional websites in a 13 point list. In other words, the question they’re asking - have blogs killed conventional websites? - i rhetorical to say the least.
The answer, being yes they have, obviously, is also wrong.
No, blogs haven’t killed conventional websites.
New publishing platforms have, on the other hand, killed the need for a webmaster hacking HTML code to update. Some people use blog software or bloggish news sections to get this effect, while others still have the same old conventional layout on their websites, just utilizing modern CMS platform to manage it.
Andy and Suzanne, you’re not talking about blogs killing conventional websites, you’re talking about modern platforms killing the need for a HTML hacking webmaster.
Apples and oranges, anyone?
Related reading:
I fell asleep half way through that list - and right before that, though I did not think of apples or oranges, but it was actually a statement on web technology - wrapped around with the word blog, and presented, just because it is at ProBlogger.
By Vyoma on March 1, 2008 7:06 am
That list was just another example of lazy, uninspired ‘pro’ blogger writing. A blog is a website, just as forums, wikis, and the whole colourful range of content publishing platforms eventually end up as websites.
Defining the blogosphere as some kind of bubble on the Internet has led people to believe it exists independently of the web. It doesn’t. A website is a collection of HTML pages and graphics.
As you correctly point out Thord, cheaper and easier to use content management systems such as WordPress and Drupal are making it easy to put a site online and place it in the hands of the end user for maintenance and updates.
I’m a little bit surprised at Darren allowing this kind of post to go on ProBlogger because it undermines the real expertise that he and other established bloggers have worked hard to gain.
By Gerard on March 1, 2008 11:30 am
I agree with Gerard! I’m also surprised Darren published that post, I used to have a lot of faith in his blog but it has been a slow downward ride the last months or so. This particular post with the list and all was a real low.
By Fantan on March 3, 2008 11:18 pm
I find overall Darren’s posts are very helpful and contain some great detail, although I’ve only been blogging a handful of months so far.
I think every blogger, regardless of size is going to vary the quality a bit, not on purpose perhaps, it just happens.
But to say that blogs have taken over websites, or vice versa is simply splitting hairs. They both are websites, one is simply easier to update.
Let’s now forget that active bloggers are sometimes very focused on blogging, blogging, blogging. This may contribute to some pro-blogging slanted posts perhaps. I mean “pro” there as in the antonym of “against”. Darn that domain name…
Personally I think they will ultimately form together, and we’ll see packages that built a website from purchased components. We already see this, but not at the quality or feature-set level that will make us say wow! It’s not there yet, but it will come soon I suspect.
By Wayne on March 5, 2008 9:38 pm
“But to say that blogs have taken over websites, or vice versa is simply splitting hairs. They both are websites, one is simply easier to update.”
I forgot something also, let’s not forget the social aspects are entirely two different ball-parks. One is incredibly easy to gain traffic through, while the other takes a bit more effort.
By Wayne on March 5, 2008 9:41 pm