Email updates to a blog with pictures?

[Metcalf]

Does anyone know of software or a service that would let you post to a blog with pictures by e-mail?

While traveling I want to be able to compose a blog update in an e-mail, attach a few pictures, then send it. This e-mail is them automatically posted to a blog or website in a set theme.

Anyone have any ideas? I am trying to get a handle on being able to have a respectable blog/website while on an international trip while being semi-cost effective even if I have to send the information by sat phone or bgan.

Thanks for the help.

 

[TeleScooby]

blogger.com

owned by Google now, so if you have a google account it's already attached as an option in your 'my services' area...
I've been using it a little recently and really like it's interface...

 

[Metcalf]

I looked around at there service and site. They support blogging by e-mail but not with attached pictures? I don't really know too much about all this......

I want to be able to compose an e-mail at any computer using a free e-mail service while in a cafe or using my own computer. I basically want it to be as quick and painless as possible. When I use a sat phone or bgan I want to be able to keep the e-mail size very small to limit cost and/or time.

I have been doing some research today.....but without much luck.

 

[TeleScooby]

I just turned on the email posting option, I'll let you know if it accepts photos...if you're at a computer to send the email...why not just log in and post? It's totally web based...

Maybe I'm missing one of the requirements -

 

[Metcalf]

I need to be able to use many different platforms to send the e-mail while keeping the overall bandwidth from my end to a minimum.

Example. One system I am looking at is a BGAN sat connection for mobile worldwide internet. For this service you pay by the Megabit everything you upload and download costs money. To keep costs lower I would like to be able to use a simple e-mail client to upload the e-mail when I want. This way I don't have to pay for the bandwidth to download the web based interface and such.
If I decide to go with just a sat phone the cost is similar. I have to be using minutes to upload the e-mail over a very slow connection. The shorter the time the better.

I might be thinking too much here, but our trip is going to be very remote and off-the-grid so to speak. I don't expect very many internet connections to be available. I would like to be able to keep up a nice blog formatted website so friends and family can watch the progress.

I know other overland travelers are doing this....I wouldn't mind hearing some other options.

 

[Metcalf]

I think I found one option

http://expressionengine.com/docs/modules/moblog/index.html

The Moblog, or "mobile blogging", Module allows you to submit weblog entries to ExpressionEngine via email. Emails may contain images or other attachments.

Moblogging is popular among people with camera-enabled cellphones since it allows them to email photos, which appear as entries on their site. It can also be used with regular email just as easily.

The basic concept is this: You send an email containing the text of your entry along with a file or image attachment to a specific email address you've set up as your Moblog account. ExpressionEngine will then check that email account looking for any Moblog messages, which will be submitted to your site based on your set-up preferences.

This software allow you to do what I want I think. Have a nice blog/website and be able to add content by a simple e-mail from any about anywhere.

I am going to do a bit more looking around....I am not a computer professional and this is getting outside my comfort area

 

[Pskhaat]

I do have a scoop on a blog that will in fact allow email submissions with pictures! Each blog get's it's own email address. However, I will be sold to slavery if I reveal it as I'm currently doing some work on it personally.

Hang tight and it will come

 

[Metcalf]

I'll keep an eye out. I looked into it a bit more and the expression engine system looks like it will do what I want.

I would like to see a nice simple option however.

 

[cshontz]

I use Expression Engine extensively on two different sites, and I love it. I don't use it for moblogging however, so I can't comment on that feature. Although, I do recommend EE for anyone who needs an extremely powerful and versatile CMS. EllisLabs is a class act in terms of product quality and support.

You may want to consider the Flickr photo sharing service. Its a great community based service that alot of folks use as a photoblog. The infrastructure is already there for you to get started right away, as opposed to going through the trouble of implementing your own site. I know you can upload images from your phone - not sure about text, but its still worth looking into, imo.

Good luck!

 

[pwc]

If you have your own site Wordpress will do it with plugin called Postie. If I didn't use some really cheap ass web hosting and my site wasn't so slow right now, I'd show you. As long as the photos are attachments it'll work.

Use your photo software to resize to a small 500x500 or so and then attach to the email. Pretty simple and will keep the bandwidth down. You set up the POP mailbox on your end and then tell Postie when and where to look. It's not bullet proof but it worked for me.

When my site comes back up, I'll post a link so you can see. I think it's time for me to start looking for a better hosting option...

EDIT: Finally, it's working again (the sysadmin must have woken up). Here's an example. Granted, there is only a little text at the top, but you get the idea
http://thecareyadventures.com/journal/?p=151

 

[Metcalf]

Perfect....thanks for the help. I am trying to teach myself some more about all this stuff....there is a lot to learn.