(UPDATE: Updating works well too!)

Normally when I need to add a post, adjust the layout, or generally manage this blog, I have to use a web browser to log into to the WordPress CMS (Content management System), a dashboard that lets me do all of the above and much more. It looks like this:

As you can see, there is a metric butt-load of options I have for managing the site, and each of the menu options on the left opens up a sub menu of even more options. It’s very flexible, though, and very useful. 

Recently, though, I learned there was an app for both Windows and Mac (the latter being the platform I’m using to write this post) that allows posts to be written even when not logged in or there is no browser/Internet access.

Here’s what the app looks like on the Mac:

That’s what I’m using to write this test post, to see how it goes. So far it’s been pretty good, I can even add images and edit them – add captions and titles – just like I can through the web-based CMS.

I figured I should a caption to at least one photo

I haven’t really delved into its options, however for the purposes of writing this relatively simple post and adding images, even copying and pasting, it was very intuitive and worked quite well. The tools stay at the top of the page even as I scroll, and the interface for basic actions mirrors the web-based version as closely as possible. You can even publish immediately or schedule a future date when the post will automatically upload.

For simply writing posts the app is much more efficient than the web interface. For the more intricate aspects of site management such as adding widgets like my twitter feed or embedding videos, the online version is the better option. I don’t see video features at all, although I suspect the embed codes will work. On the other hand, I very much like that it shows the featured (header) image inline with the rest of the post, something the web version doesn’t do.

I’ll assume the Windows version is essentially the same, so if you need offline access or just don’t feel like logging in to make a post, this would be a good option. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far and will likely continue to use it for writing and publishing. Hopefully they continue to develop it, I see a lot of potential here.