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Recently, we had a conversation with an organization who was getting pressure to use a closed tool called Jimdo rather than the open-source tool, WordPress for their web site. Jimdo seemed easier and quicker and they wanted to know what we thought about it. Here’s a couple points that we brought up with them:72uwzy681adwmorjd6n600mkrp48ibsf
- Using solutions like Jimdo, they basically control your destiny:xs2vclhvg9pwbzeh0l1ks8o15362c9yz
- Your data is on their servers, meaning they “host” your web site.ef3e94zvkp1evvdoirjo45zwziunojks
- Your online identity routes through their domain name, meaning your domain will be something like http://yourwordshere.jimdo.com unless you pay for JimdoPro or a Business plan which still leaves your data in their controlqq3rm0ya9nbzhgp27n6abbk5r8cwayxq
- You can only use the features they choose and extend the platform in ways they enable.wbo29esv1ye3kja4rx7km3m1avc6xdpk
- Using a solution like WordPress, you have more control of your data (your actual asset)3vhxiwkwxtqlqb0rxfs22fi6lozc31ow
- WordPress is freely installable on your own server or any host you choose, meaning that you can choose where your data (web site) lives.q00cd1xk7hs0zvqqgzfe1sjawcml05kh
- You can route your online identity through any domain registrar you choose, meaning you can choose with whom you register your domain (http://www.yourwordshere.com)jiknr86k47cphyvq5p6z07fish2ssyo1
- Because WordPress is open source, it is being improved by a large network of contributors, meaning anyone can take WordPress, improve it, add onto it, create themes, plugins, additional functionality, resources, etc.9e3yr0lhcnkiherogtda0tcq9x1ocb0b
The gains in ease of use have been dramatic over the past few years, and we believe that they will continue.poxknwpzvaeiei7taa0a52crbw7wfevv
- WordPress.com is a solid and simple alternative to Jimdo. I’m sure it is not as plug-and-play, but I liken it to eating well. Jimdo is fast food, tasty and easy now, but not healthy in the long run. WordPress is healthy food – less sexy, and more attention and work to use/consume, but much healthier and beneficial in the long term.xi0sztzlrs5o69hr9sxf3t60g7t68isv
In short, we recommend things like WordPress because we recommend modeling for success and long-term sustainability.jz4j9ip2mffyzcvn2ic69hxx4mt28z6i
While solutions like Jimdo (and there are many) enable short-term success through ease-of-use and good features, they are not suitable vehicles for long-term publishing strategies. They are technological cul-de-sac’s that we actively encourage people not to drive down, unless you don’t mind abandoning your vehicle parked there at the end.0bp2m19yr270jn6o45p8l41qenlh3vnt
Remember BEFORE committing to ANY technology or tool, it is critical to examine what the “divorce strategy” would be for that particular tool. In other words, if it turns out that the tool is horrible after you’ve already input data and invested time, how will you get your data out? What options are available so that you retain control of your data?0hks86bn6uvey8itfoq4mhai77hk1y2s
What do you see as the value in using open source tools rather than closed tools?j5wzctwul32sdttg88s04visi9d6gihp
(original) View 中文 translation
Recently, we had a conversation with an organization who was getting pressure to use a closed tool called Jimdo rather than the open-source tool, WordPress for their web site. Jimdo seemed easier and quicker and they wanted to know what we thought about it. Here’s a couple points that we brought up with them:
- Using solutions like Jimdo, they basically control your destiny:
- Your data is on their servers, meaning they “host” your web site.
- Your online identity routes through their domain name, meaning your domain will be something like http://yourwordshere.jimdo.com unless you pay for JimdoPro or a Business plan which still leaves your data in their control
- You can only use the features they choose and extend the platform in ways they enable.
- Using a solution like WordPress, you have more control of your data (your actual asset)
- WordPress is freely installable on your own server or any host you choose, meaning that you can choose where your data (web site) lives.
- You can route your online identity through any domain registrar you choose, meaning you can choose with whom you register your domain (http://www.yourwordshere.com)
- Because WordPress is open source, it is being improved by a large network of contributors, meaning anyone can take WordPress, improve it, add onto it, create themes, plugins, additional functionality, resources, etc.
The gains in ease of use have been dramatic over the past few years, and we believe that they will continue.
- WordPress.com is a solid and simple alternative to Jimdo. I’m sure it is not as plug-and-play, but I liken it to eating well. Jimdo is fast food, tasty and easy now, but not healthy in the long run. WordPress is healthy food – less sexy, and more attention and work to use/consume, but much healthier and beneficial in the long term.
In short, we recommend things like WordPress because we recommend modeling for success and long-term sustainability.
While solutions like Jimdo (and there are many) enable short-term success through ease-of-use and good features, they are not suitable vehicles for long-term publishing strategies. They are technological cul-de-sac’s that we actively encourage people not to drive down, unless you don’t mind abandoning your vehicle parked there at the end.
Remember BEFORE committing to ANY technology or tool, it is critical to examine what the “divorce strategy” would be for that particular tool. In other words, if it turns out that the tool is horrible after you’ve already input data and invested time, how will you get your data out? What options are available so that you retain control of your data?
What do you see as the value in using open source tools rather than closed tools?
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