With the introduction of iWeb '08 yesterday, Apple may have finally gotten around to fixing the concerns I had with the original version released over a year and a half ago. I'll have to get the software in hand first to make sure, but that will be a reality by the end of the week. My website is more than just this blog, so I've found it better to manage my own files rather than use an online service. RapidWeaver, the software I currently use, is adequate, and actually quite powerful, but it's never been quite the complete package I wanted. Nor is it anywhere near being actual WYSIWYG in its interface. Further, anytime I create a table (which is fairly often), I have to create the HTML in Dreamweaver and then deposit it here in RapidWeaver.

I also think I've begun to reach the limits of RapidWeaver's ability to handle my site. The recent update improved this somewhat, but there are still problems. The actual site on the web is over 1300 separate files, but RapidWeaver keeps them all contained in one file on my MacBook. Right now, this file is over 150 mb in size. It takes a while to load and forever to save and shut down. I have continued fear of it losing integrity one day, but I do back it up regularly.

I will leave these blog posts up indefinitely since there are so many links elsewhere to them. But everything else, including new blog posts will be moved to iWeb. At one time, I thought I'd move everything over, including reformatting the blog entries. But now that I'm approaching 600 entries, that idea does not seem to be a good use of my time. Plus, there is benefit in starting fresh sometimes. I may consider reformatting some of my more popular posts for the new site.

If you simply have my site linked/saved/bookmarked as www.thislamp.com, you will be fine as I will simply change the pointers to the new site. However, if you link directly to these files or subscribe to the RSS feed, you will have to update your bookmarks.

There's still a chance this won't happen, but from everything I've seen of iWeb '08, I think it's about time to pack my virtual bags.

Tags: Apple, iWeb