Blot – blogging from a Dropbox folder | Hacker News Reader

Blot – blogging from a Dropbox folder

blot.im

65 pointsdchest17 comments

I am unsure why anyone would use this, since web space is cheap (there are less 20$ a year domain and hosting plans) and its pretty trivial to get a Flatfile blog running on PHP.

I personally prefer Yellow from datenstrom to run my blog. And it doesn't need a third party site to pull my blog either.

I guess just putting files into dropbox is still easier for some people than messing with servers and hosts.

Agree, a flat file CMS bring back simplicity AND control. I personally use Grav (http://getgrav.org).

Being PHP based means zero configuration issues as it can run on any shared hosting. For simple sites, blogs etc it's perfect.

After years of using db-driven CMSes, I got a sense of relief in being "just files".

There are a few features which I couldn't find in existing static platforms, including live drafts and instant publishing. Check out the video on the homepage for a demo.

Blot is also flexible about the type of files it can publish - I'm unaware of a static platform which turns an image file directly into a blog post, without some sort of form or metadata requirement in between.

Also – since Blot runs off a Dropbox folder, you can blog directly from one of the many writing apps on phones and tablets which support Dropbox, or make use of neat integrations like this:

http://mrfris.by/16/twitter-instagram-integrations-for-blot

But you're right – a lot of people pay for the convenience. Perhaps it goes without saying but there are benefits as well costs to a hosted service!

Of course, technically advantaged people find it easy to get started on with their own WordPress or PHP platform, but the beauty behind blot is that it's a no brainer for anyone who knows how to use Dropbox (which is more than know how to setup a hosting account)

Saw one of your comments from about a year ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8257148

Just want you to know that a project called Rainloop might be your answer.

Thanks, I have found it since then and use it on my server for all my email.

Reminded me of Calepin, was popular few years ago... http://calepin.co/

Yeah, Calepin was one of the services which inspired Blot. Sad to hear it's shutting down:

https://twitter.com/calepinapp/status/631518650051231744

Cool! Also, great work on Typeset! https://github.com/davidmerfield/typeset

A couple of years back I hacked together something similar and put it on github http://nkrode.com/article/autopilot Most people seemed to want a lot more features than just easy publishing.

I've done this sort of thing a few times for different clients who need to be able to put something out on the web quickly and easily. It's a useful technique. And if done right, in my experience, a lot easier to "lock down", and leaner than if you were depending on a full-fledged CMS system for the same sort of thing.

The one thing you have to warn people about, however, is that Dropbox (last I checked) does not scan files for viruses. There are of course ways to incorporate virus scan into the pipeline if it's not already being done by the user.

There was also pretty well designed scriptogr.am in this space. But they are also shutting down in September.

So, good luck! it seems that you'll need some of it :)

I have been reviewing blogging tools of late and had been coming up short on finding the solution that meets my requirements.

Blot looks very promising. Be sure to watch the entire video, there were many ah-ha moments.

* Manage files via dropbox * Makes a blog post out of images * Markdown plus some new tags for layout * Full access to templates (including RSS, sitemap, etc) * Use your own domain, and apparently SSL * The site creator has been very responsive via Twitter.

I am fine with $20 per year. Sure I could throw this on one of my own servers for $0, but it would take more much more than $20 of my time.

There are many nice features all over the place:

* URL's have a good SEO and can easily be shorted example.com/12/my-great-idea to example.com/12 * Private Draft preview with quick auto-reloads

Seems great!

I'm a Jekyll user myself, but I can see this as a viable (and simpler) alternative.

this is a fantastic idea, low friction start to personal blogging.

feature suggestion: please incorporate Jekyll into the publishing workflow.

Looks great, good luck!

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