Jeff Rock

Tumbl On

So I’m trying to think of a reason not to just recommend Tumblr. Its default templates are good and custom templates are relatively simple. The web posting interface is wonderful. It has an OK iPhone client (from which I’m writing this). And while you give up control with Tumblr as opposed to a self-hosted weblog, the typical user doesn’t have the technical savvy to manage that control in the first place.

There isn’t a reason not to recommend Tumblr to someone who is currently blog-less (or unhappy with their current system). The only thing that seems to keep people from signing up is the control instinct that takes over when someone decides to start a blog. But here’s the bottom line:

Most people that start a blog will never make a dime writing, so fine-grained content control is generally irrelevant.
Your stuff remains your stuff.
It’s very easy to post on Tumblr and the API allows for flexibility if you don’t like the web interface.
New features get routinely launched and are always free.
There’s nothing to maintain.
If you hate it, you can start a Wordpress/TypePad/MT account and suck out your Tumblr posts via RSS.
Deleting an account is a 2-click affair.

As for the iPhone client, I’ll see what I can do about making it a little less OK and a little more wonderful.

Source: gruber