Well, after recommending travelpod to people who want to do a blog, I got an email saying they are closing down in June. Sigh. At least you can back up your past entries. I was just working on our trip from last month. I guess I'll finish it up then back it up.
Maybe it's time to switch over to Wordpress...
I blog on Wordpress after being unable to figure out WIx. Wordpress is really easy - and I am extremely un-tech savvy.
I've been using TravelPod since 2009, so I'm bummed about the closure. :(
TravelPod actually recommends WordPress. Valerie, is it easy to upload photos and blog entries, etc.? (I'm probably more un-tech savvy than you are!)
I notice that quite a few of the entries over on the scrapbook contest's page use Wixsite and Weebly.
Yes - it's totally easy. There are easy little icons to click on when you want to add a picture. I click on it and open my pictures and poof! they're in there. The blog entries themselves are just type and publish and you're done.
The only thing I haven't been able to figure out it when I go back later to edit an entry, it then will post out of order if I've added new ones and so I have one on my blog that's out of order and I can't seem to fix it. But compared to how hard I found Wix to be, I'm pretty happy with my Wordpress.
I can recommend both WordPress and Blogger, depending on what you aspire to.
They are both attractive and easy to use. The free version of WordPress puts ads on your blog, which is fair but I don't like it. The version that you have to host yourself is technically demanding. Blogger is hooked into the whole Google ecosystem, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your point of view.
Thanks, you guys.
"The only thing I haven't been able to figure out it when I go back later to edit an entry, it then will post out of order if I've added new ones and so I have one on my blog that's out of order and I can't seem to fix it."
Wow, that really is annoying! I always go back to fix typos and whatnot. To then have an entry be out of order would make my OCD side crazy nuts. Still, I'll give WordPress a go.
I also received the E-mail notification from Travelpod yesterday, and was very disappointed that they've decided to shut down. It was nice to see that they've provided a fair amount of advance notice, and that they're trying to make it as easy as possible for members to transfer their Blogs to other sites, which is good.
I had a look at the options that were offered, and Wordpress is certainly one to consider. However I'm not sure how easy it is to transfer the Blog photos to Wordpress as some parts of it look quite technical. The aspect of adverts appearing in the Blog sounds a bit annoying.
I also had a look at the Travelark.org website that was started by the "Travelpod Super Fan". Although it doesn't appear to be fully set up yet, it does seem to be an easier solution in transferring existing Blogs to a new provider. One of the sites they suggested was www.travellerspoint.com, which looks very similar to Travelpod.
I'll have a closer look at all the options over the next few days and try to figure out which one will be best for my needs.
Thanks Ken - I'm checking out traveler's point...I will back up my old ones to Word Press then maybe use the other for current trips. I did like the fact that Travelpod had an app as well so I could make notes on it while we were away, so may just use WP in the end...I know no one reads them but me - they are more for my memories than anything...
If you want to blog with not so many pictures and graphic elements, Medium and Wordpress are the best services. Webly, Wix, Squarespace are meant towards content that is more graphic- and multi-layer centered.
I had already decided to go the same route as Nicole: Back up on Wordpress, blog the next trip with Travellerspoint. I actually had trouble with Wordpress, which I wanted to use when accompanying my husband when he was working in Florence for four months. I always used Travelpod for travel but thought it was less appropriate for a short-term living situation. However, after struggling with Wordpress, I reverted to Travelpod for its familiarity. So I'm really tech challenged!
So getting on with Travellers Point - I don't see where you can weave photos into the blog like on Travelpod...but again, I have the photos on my computer, so it's really just for me. I guess you can add photos separately. I wish they had an app that I could use on my ipad, but I guess we have wifi wherever we stay, so I can just go on Safari and open it there. I always like to make daily notes as I'm too tired at night to spend a half hour writing about the day. If I need to make notes thru the day when we don't have wifi, I'll just use the Note app...
Nicole,
"So getting on with Travellers Point - I don't see where you can weave photos into the blog like on Travelpod."
I had a look at some of the featured Blogs on Traveller's Point, and it is possible to add photos, but I'm not sure if they're "woven" into the Blog as seamlessly as on Travelpod. Here's one example - http://debbeanddougstravels.travellerspoint.com/66/
I really must get busy this weekend and start transferring my Blog files.
An update.....
I've now got my Blog files transferred over to the TravelArk website, and that includes the photos. So far, so good. The operator of that website has stated that his goal is to keep the site running indefinitely. He's also created a test version of a site that can be edited and it's a good reproduction of the original Blogs.
I've also created a profile on Travellers Point but haven't done anything with it yet.
Thanks Ken _ maybe I'll give TravelArk a whirl - I guess in the end I'm not overly worried about the pics as I think I'm the only one to look back over our journey - memory isn't what it used to be...lol..I even got a nice little scribbler and am going thru old trips and making bullet points of dates/where we were/what we saw...so I don't have to keep looking up old blogs.
Nicole P
A "scribbler" ! I haven't seen that word since my kids were in school. Thanks for the memory.
I set up profiles on both WordPress and TravellersPoint and then created test blogs. I think WordPress has a slight advantage as to ease of use. On both of them, I've found it difficult to deal with photos. It's easy enough to insert them into a blog entry (once you've uploaded them to a gallery), but giving them names and descriptions just isn't as simple as it was on TravelPod. Also, on TravellersPoint, I figured out how to add a title and description, but if the photo is "big" in the blog entry, none of that info shows up. If the photo was inserted as a thumbnail, then the info shows when it's clicked and enlarged.
I'm also really going to miss how easy it was with TravelPod to let your readers know that you posted a new entry. With both TravellersPoint and WordPress, it looks like the easiest way is to copy the URL, open your email program, and then send an email to your readers. It's not a huge deal, but it is an extra step. Maybe I'm just missing something.
I like the idea of TravellersPoint, but WordPress definitely has the edge at this point. I'll keep playing around with my test blogs.
There is a Wordpress tutorial on YouTube called:
Wordpress tutorial on ithemes.
It explains how to insert photos, etc.
I am going to transfer my blogs from Travelpod this weekend, I hope it will be easy enough.
Ken,
Did you save a copy of all the instructions that were posted on TravelPod's site? I went to download and transfer all my data yesterday, but none of the links to the instructions/information are working for me. I even emailed TravelPod and got a return email saying it's working, but it's still not for me ... and I've tried three different browsers. I did manage to download all my data, but transferring just one of my trips to WordPress didn't work so well, and I'm sure we missed a step. I haven't even tried TravelArk, and I know I need instructions for that site.
Thanks,
Teresa
Teresa,
I'm sure I've still got all the E-mails from Travelpod. I'll check my other computer when I switch it on tomorrow morning. I also have all the instructions for Travel Ark.
As I recall, Travel Ark is very easy. The first step is to go on their website and "claim" your Blog. I believe you have to set up an account with them first (it's a legal requirement or something?). Once you claim your Blog, it will be transferred to the Travel Ark site. My Blog transferred really well, including the photos. You'll see all the accounts that have been transferred so far on their site - http://www.travelark.org/
Teresa,
I tried to download my archive files from Travelpod this morning, and their website wasn't working at all. I sent an E-mail to "support" and got a reply this evening that said, "try it now." I'll give it another try later tonight or in the morning.
EDIT - I downloaded my Blog files this morning without any problems at all. It only took a few minutes.
Thanks, Ken.
I found TravelBlog.org last night and am now testing that one too. I need to make a decision at some point!
A further update......
I just received a note from Travelark that they now have the exporting capability set up. That will allow Travelpod blogs to be exported to one or more other Blogs, including the new Travelark Blog site. There is no deadline for exporting, but of course it's important to get Travelpod blogs onto their site before 19 June or they will disappear forever.
Yes - got that Ark email as well - looks like they are still in the setting up process. I'm going to move the rest of my posts to T Point and see on our next planned trip if I want to switch over on Ark gets on its feet.
Another update.......
I decided to export my Blog to the Travelark 2.0 website for now, as it seems the closest in design to what I was used to with Travelpod. The design of the site is bright and organized, so it looks very promising.
All the functions in Travelark aren't working yet, but the developer is making good progress. It appears to be a "one man operation" so I'm sure he's a bit "swamped" with work. One nice feature will be the ability to upload videos, which not all Blogs accommodate with free accounts.
