Static site builders

Really working well for me.

[graeme_p]

I just did my first site using a static site builder (Nikola). I am really pleased with the results. It was even easier to setup than Wordpress, I can edit text files, rebuilds and reload in the browser happen automatically, and it takes one command to deploy. Because it uses text files stored locally, it works well with version control.

A really good way to run simple static sites/blogs run by a small number of users who are comfortable with (fairly simple) command line tools and markup (Restructured text or Markdown or other with plugins with Nikola).

[tangor]

Never used the product, but the bottom line is results. Moving forward it is about ease of use. Sound like you've found what you need!

[TorontoBoy]

I have used Grav, a static site builder, and am fine with it. But for the novice user with no tech background, markdown was not as easy as Wordpress. This is the user UI problem.

There are also unique technical issues I came across that you need to learn with all new systems. For sure a static site builder will be much more secure than Wordpress. For a maintenance free site, a SSB is really useful.

[graeme_p]

Agreed, its not for a novice, but it can be good. There are also GUIs for static sites so those may be OK for novices.

Its another tool to have for when its appropriate.

I posted about it it mostly because it was a lot easier to get the site up and to get productive with it than I expected. Even though I keep on having to look up restructured text formatting rules (I want to learn it so I can use it for documentation etc so that is fine) I find it easier to write for than Wordpress.

[TorontoBoy]

Another issue I came across with SSG is that there are so many different types, which has splintered the market. Therefore the number of available themes for each type of SSG is fewer than I would like. Wordpress, for all its warts, has a huge/dizzying number of themes for your choice. A large number of themes allows you to be a little more unique in the sea of WWW.

I usually write in HTML, which, thankfully the SSGs still understand. When forced to use markup/down I can be heard cursing, though not too loudly.

[graeme_p]

Agreed, Wordpress has its advantages. On the other hand its not hard to customise a theme and Nikola has some interesting options for applying a Bootstrap theme to its Boostrap themes. I have kept it fairly standard for now (just picked an OK theme) but intend to modify later.

I want markup that is not HTML for things that might be wanted in formats other than web - I have used Latex in the past and am planning to use restructured text in the future.

I have had few problems with markdown, apart from annoying variations between dialects.