3 ms·

Ask HN: can one post to a blog without opening a browser?

3 points by dhbradshaw 16y ago

Right now I post mostly by email, but sometimes I don't want to open up a browser and wait for Gmail. Is there a way to a blog directly from the desktop?

jakewalker 16y ago
On MacOS X, I used to use a program called MarsEdit. See http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/ http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/
apotheon 16y ago
I just started writing my own Weblog-oriented CMS this week, called Lump, and started using it at blogstrapping.com -- and not only can I post to it without opening a browser, but there is actually no way to post to it with the browser at all. I write up an entry using Markdown syntax in a text file, then use scp to stick the file in a content directory. Lump picks it up automatically. I don't imagine many people would want to use Lump in its present state of simplicity, but it certainly shows that it's possible to post to a Weblog without having to open a browser.
baltcode 16y ago
try google command line tools. http://code.google.com/p/googlecl/ http://code.google.com/p/googlecl/ example: $ google blogger post --title "foo" "command line posting"
bobds 16y ago
There's various desktop blogging clients you could use. w.bloggar is one I've used in the past: http://wbloggar.com/ http://wbloggar.com/ and another random one: http://alchemii.net/bleezer/ http://alchemii.net/bleezer/
skowmunk 16y ago
Out of my reductionist tendencies, I would say - can this question be reduced to "Can one post to a blog without opening an application?" If one would like to not open an application (browser) to be able to blog what would make them like opening another application to be able to blog without opening the browser? Unless that alternative application can bring more user friendly utility than blogging directly through the browser. I am a web technology neophyte, so wouldnt' know if such a thing exists, but if there is ONE application (could be desktop a la Ipad or web based) that can simultaneously post on facebook, twitter, techcrunch, posterous, myspace, orkut, etc I think it would save a lot of effort to lots of people who like to post on multiple blogs, etc. If you can save a lot of effort to a lot of people, you got a product with customers. If it can have a selectability feature if one wants to post just on one of these social/blogging entities, still better. Good luck.
startupgrrl 16y ago
I hear they have software that handles email without needing a browser. You should try that.
colinprince 16y ago
telnet your.mail.server 25 HELO your.domain MAIL FROM: you@your.domain RCPT TO: post@posterous.com DATA Subject: Post title [ press Enter twice ] body of your post End it with a single . on a line of its own. QUIT

3 points by dhbradshaw 16y ago

Right now I post mostly by email, but sometimes I don't want to open up a browser and wait for Gmail. Is there a way to a blog directly from the desktop?

jakewalker 16y ago

On MacOS X, I used to use a program called MarsEdit. See http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/ http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/

apotheon 16y ago

I just started writing my own Weblog-oriented CMS this week, called Lump, and started using it at blogstrapping.com -- and not only can I post to it without opening a browser, but there is actually no way to post to it with the browser at all. I write up an entry using Markdown syntax in a text file, then use scp to stick the file in a content directory. Lump picks it up automatically. I don't imagine many people would want to use Lump in its present state of simplicity, but it certainly shows that it's possible to post to a Weblog without having to open a browser.

baltcode 16y ago

try google command line tools. http://code.google.com/p/googlecl/ http://code.google.com/p/googlecl/ example: $ google blogger post --title "foo" "command line posting"

bobds 16y ago

There's various desktop blogging clients you could use. w.bloggar is one I've used in the past: http://wbloggar.com/ http://wbloggar.com/ and another random one: http://alchemii.net/bleezer/ http://alchemii.net/bleezer/

skowmunk 16y ago

Out of my reductionist tendencies, I would say - can this question be reduced to "Can one post to a blog without opening an application?" If one would like to not open an application (browser) to be able to blog what would make them like opening another application to be able to blog without opening the browser? Unless that alternative application can bring more user friendly utility than blogging directly through the browser. I am a web technology neophyte, so wouldnt' know if such a thing exists, but if there is ONE application (could be desktop a la Ipad or web based) that can simultaneously post on facebook, twitter, techcrunch, posterous, myspace, orkut, etc I think it would save a lot of effort to lots of people who like to post on multiple blogs, etc. If you can save a lot of effort to a lot of people, you got a product with customers. If it can have a selectability feature if one wants to post just on one of these social/blogging entities, still better. Good luck.

startupgrrl 16y ago

I hear they have software that handles email without needing a browser. You should try that.

colinprince 16y ago

telnet your.mail.server 25 HELO your.domain MAIL FROM: you@your.domain RCPT TO: post@posterous.com DATA Subject: Post title [ press Enter twice ] body of your post End it with a single . on a line of its own. QUIT