Thank you for reading @billbennett. I too have reservations in having all your eggs in one basket and that is in part why I have two sites. However, isn't a hosted Micro.Blog site just a Jekyll site? I am not sure what the difference is?

Posted at readwriterespond.com

@mrkrndvs I didn't know it was Jekyll, but that makes a lot of sense. It's a great way to build simple sites.

The key to micro.blog is that it is open yet comes with pre-made elegant apps and front-ends that make it easier to pull things together.

@billbennettnz Yes and even with no Apple devices, I can do most things I want by just using the web interface on my site hosted by Microblog. It's been just as easy to use as a silo, but with none of the down sides of silos.

@Ron Yes, that's it in a nutshell. @Manton has taken the usability of silo services and repurposed it for a more open web model.

@billbennettnz Yes, and he's been constantly updating the platform, which is great, even though most things are for Apple devices. I'm hoping I'll be able to participate in whatever these new changes are that @Manton has been enthusing about, even with no Apple device. I really loved a lot of Dave Winer's blogging tools in recent years, but he never got even a tiny fraction of the engagement that Manton has managed in the last year, which is fantastic. I'm a little hobbled with just the web interface, but I can still interact with a lot of people all over the world, so I'm not suffering much at all. If things keep getting better, I may setup a second hosted blog from Manton.

@Ron I'm still focused on Apple platforms but I hope we can branch out. Just not this week. But improving the web version of everything should help too. Thanks as always for the feedback!

@manton Well I trust all the improvements you're making are good ones! I'll be happy with any improvements to the web interface, even though I'm not suffering for lack of capability as it is. I've been considering getting an Apple device, but not yet convinced that is necessary. A hosted account here is surely the easiest way to go and I'm very glad for that. I see all the folks fiddling with all their websites on other servers and platforms and just feel glad that I've never had to do any of that. Your hosted sites are Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

@Ron I agree. I had a setup with github pages initially which I get for free as a teacher. It ended up being worth it to pay for a hosted blog for the ease of use and setup.

@craigmcclellan I considered trying github for a bit, because I thought it was free. But there is a learning curve and for now I'd rather spend my time on writing, rather than with learning powerful, but arcane technology. It's not like I need to develop new skills that might bring me income one day. I  already make my living from arcane technology I learned over the last few decades. And $5 per month is pretty close to free anyway.

@billbennettnz Thanks for the share.

@Ron I have to agree about GitHub. I have been trying out Jekyll/GitHub Pages and Hugo/Netlify, but I don't see them replacing WordPress anytime soon. Maybe I'm too much of a WYSIWYG and audio dictation software kind of guy.

@Ron Have you considered Blot? I’ve been really happy with it. All you need is a Dropbox account. It’s $20/year, so not “free” but pretty close to it.

@jmreekes what do you use 'around’ blot - e.g. are you a WP user aswell - when do you use blot versus WP versus MBlog ?

@JohnPhilpin I was using wordpress.com for a couple of blogs but those over to Blot. I do all my blogging on my iPhone and iPad, and I like to keep a .md copy of posts so editing became a pain since I was updating in two places.

@JohnPhilpin For the simple pen review and Aviation posts, Blot does everything I need it to. My random thought posts go here on micro.blog

@jmreekes Yes, I use Blot for my longer form writing and I like it a lot. But if I want to get something out right away, I use my Manton hosted Micro.blog account.

@Ron gotcha. That’s basically what I do

@chet Let’s try this again. Pens and Planes and Thoughts Aloft

@chet images can become their own post or be stored in an assests folder, and linked to in posts (which is what I do)

@chet My friend, Thomas Hall, has a good overview post on Blot.

@chet Thanks, on the pictures. I need to post some more. What do you fly?

@chet you’re welcome. David, the person who runs Blot, is very responsive with questions.

@jmreekes Cannot post images from iA Writer though; right?

@sumudu not directly. I upload them to my _assests folder first and then create a Markdown image link

@jmreekes Where do you keep assets folder?

@sumudu within Blot’s folder on Dropbox. I named it with the underscore so the images wouldn’t become posts themselves.

@jmreekes Are they all sub folders of BLOT folder in Dropbox?

@sumudu yea, everything for my Blot sites is contained within Blot’s folder in Dropbox. I’ve got 2 sites on Blot so I’ve got a subfolder for each site within Blot’s folder. Each site folder has a drafts, posts, pages, and _assests folder.

@sumudu here is my Blot folder structure. /apps/blot/Pens and Planes/appropriate folder name or /apps/Blot/Thoughts Aloft/ appropriate folder name

@jmreekes Great. Thanks!

@sumudu you’re welcome.

@unoabraham I’ve used Github and Jekyll. It’s a great combination. But it’s not easy, especially if, like me, you’re not a developer. I get tech and understand it, but I don’t want to do it. That’s not the best use of my time.