Conn – I just installed WordPress today, for fun, and I quite agree it’s an elegant programme, and does exactly what you say. However, I know, having read the posts, that too many people have been stuck when WordPress upgrades – and I mean, really stuck. And it still is designed for technically minded people – look at the variety of versions being used, 1.5, 2.0, – can you explain that to a newbie, why they should be different? I can see myself really liking it, but I’m someone who is thinking about ease of use from a non-geek perspective – and there is simply too much to configure. I think they’re on to something with the newly released widgets plugin – that’s the sort of simplicity I like. But WordPress is just not for beginners – yet. And until it(and for that matter, other OS programmes like Firefox) explain to beginners the potential horrors of upgrading, and why they can lose all their customisation and functionality once they choose to upgrade, then it cannot compete with the more stable but boring Blogger, IMHO.

I’m afraid the rot may be further advanced than we realize: tagging in WordPress is a breeze – just tick the boxes. (although you still have to manually ping Technorati)

Chorus: “Ooh, shame! Gross!”