Review in January 2004 issue of Linux Format magazine.
Blog Server: NewsBruiser
As the whole Web-logging (or 'Blogging' as it has popularly become
known in the last couple of years) phenomenon continues unabated,
stacks of tools and applications are in development to help users
create fanciful diaries on the Internet. For those unfamiliar with
blogs, they're essentially online journals in which a person posts
opinions on topical subjects or feelings, and others can pop in and
add comments. It's gigantically popular right now, and
NewsBruiser is one of the best blogging utilities doing the
rounds.
[Screenshot: "Blogging's never been more pleasant -
NewsBruiser's config panel on top."]
Mommy dearest
Striving to be easy to manage (the programmer's mother uses it!),
NewsBruiser requires Python (1.5 or 2.x) and a working
Apache server with SSI enabled. Installation is brilliantly
simple - a CGI script copies the neccessary files into place and
performs some tweaking, and then it's all set to go for the first
entry. The only manual intervention needed is some permission
chmod and it's all detailed in the well-written docs.
In its default setup, NewsBruiser assembles a simple table
based layout for the front page with a calendar on the right and
entries on the left. A search box is available, and an assortment of
CSS 'themes' have been included for good measure; these range from
merry pastel shades to dark and moody schemes.
When editing an entry, images can be uploaded onto the server and
then included in the text with %filename%. Being able to mix in
HTML is a bonus, although having a few buttons to insert tags (or
indeed a quick tag reference) would improve things. Impressively, user
comments can be monitored for spam (a growing problem) and the whole
system runs like clockwork.
NewsBruiser offers hugely impressive functionality in its
configuration panels; templates, RSS feeds and trackbacks can be set
up, while all manner of cosmetic and under-the-hood aspects can be
fine tuned too. The generated HTML isn't too ambitious and works fine
in all major browsers, and the default themes give an attractive and
uncluttered appearance. Friendly, organised, versatile and great to
use, NewsBruiser is well worth a look if you're running (or
plan to run) a blog.
Version: 2.1.0
Web: http://newsbruiser.tigris.org
