CNET Editors' review
MarsEdit makes blogging easier, letting you ditch clunky browser-based editing in favor of a full-featured, fully Mac-powered desktop editor--an editor that also lets you blog when you're offline. You get a rich editing interface for working with text (including HTML-free formatting tools and cool markup macros that save you from repetitive typing), but what makes MarsEdit really useful is its easy uploading tools, two-way syncing, AppleScript support, tight integration with Flickr, and compatibility with an impressive variety of blog services (including improved support for WordPress tags), text editors, and even photo management software (like iPhoto and Lightroom).
With nice bonus features like autosaving, Technorati tag editing, blog-specific image settings, support for Tumblr, and a speedy Flickr browser, MarsEdit is a great example of indie software done right. It gives you lots of functionality, a professional level of quality, responsive support, and (of course, this being indie software) a modest price tag.
Publisher's Description
From Red Sweater Software:
MarsEdit is a weblog editor for Mac OS X that makes weblog writing like writing email -- with spell-checking, drafts, multiple windows, and even AppleScript support. It works with various weblog systems: Blosxom, Conversant, Manila, Movable Type, Radio UserLand, TypePad, WordPress, and others.
What's new in this version:
- Fix a serious bug that reverted blog settings to default values when opening the settings panel
- Avoid a crash when running on a 10.6 system with older versions of Safari installed
- Fix a rich-mode editing paste bug that could cause unwanted entries in HTML
More Popular Blogging Software & Tools downloads
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 8 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-8 of 8
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"Good, but more features needed"
Version: MarsEdit 3.5.1
Pros
Easy to use and has short learning curve.
Cons
Needs WYSIWYG. Also needs to be able to connect and embed videos from services such as YouTube. Even the MS Live Writer has these features and it is free.
Summary
Best program for Blogging in the Mac universe. Hoping for some updates to the program that will take it to the next level.
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"For writers who're scared of losing their work online"
Version: MarsEdit 3.2.2
Pros
Easy to use, instant access to all posts, compatible to today's mainstream blogging platforms
Cons
Couldn't identify Posterous blogs, the UI isn't as nice, and would love to see a more accurate preview of the post.
Summary
MarsEdit 3 is one of the best desktop blogging tools in the market to date. Although it still has much room to improve, it's definitely a must-have for bloggers using a Mac.
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"does not work on ppc!"
Version: MarsEdit 3.1.3
Pros
impossible to know
Cons
Please change your description, ME does not work on a PPC machine
Summary
As ever, your description errs. Please change it!
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"Easy to use program, good features & sensible design"
Version: MarsEdit 2.3.2
Pros
Very easy to understand. Does what I need. What more do you want?
Cons
Nothing that I can think of.
Summary
I blog only sporadically, but having switched from Windows to Mac, I found that Safari didn't play well with BlogWare; so after some investigation, I found MarsEdit. It does everything I need, gives me an instant view of what the post will look like and can be used off-line. I almost gave this 5*, but didn't, simply because I have not tried other options in this space. I have no hesitation in recommending MarsEdit.
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"Aaaagh! Why no WYSIWYG?? Would be perfect otherwise!"
Version: MarsEdit 2.0.3
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I've just spent a fruitless, frustrating morning researching a bunch of the blog editors on VersionTracker. It seems that no one app combines the ability both to edit with ease AND connect to blog services of your choice. Yes, I know you can edit stuff online, but I prefer the ease of use of good desktop software, and need the ability to work offline when a net connection is not available.
MarsEdit has great connectivity and is the only program than will perform a 2-way sync with your blog (so you can edit either online or in MarsEdit). Other apps either take a copy of your blog if you're lucky, or don't offer any hosted blog service integration at all. (If I wanted an app to build my blog into a website, I'd choose RapidWeaver, which will handle the blog stuff well and give me a bunch of other goodies as well :)
BUT - MarsEdit will ONLY edit raw HTML. Doh! I'm fluent in HTML, but I REALLY don't want to have to worry about it when blogging. I want to focus on my content. It does allow you to paste in some preset HTML tags, and define your own, but these things fall flat if you move beyond any basic formatting. Like using bulleted lists. I find it hard to believe that web-based editors provide better visual editing than a desktop app. If the developer would add these features (download RapidWeaver's free demo & add a blog entry if you want to see what I mean), it would be a perfect app. Meanwhile, it has to be a three. -
"Superb"
Version: MarsEdit 1.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I've been a beta tester and so have used Mars Edit for months now, with several blogs. It's a superb program and the developer is extremely responsive to requests and reports of problems. It's easy to use and reliable. -
"It is HOT!"
Version: MarsEdit 1.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
If you maintain a single weblog, get this tool, it makes your posting, updating, and maintenance, easy as pie. ... If you maintain more than one weblog, square the usefulness of this tool for every additional weblog.
This is not a joke. This program is creating a whole new genre of web tools. -
"Best Blog Posting Software"
Version: MarsEdit 1.0b3
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I cringe to think about using anything but MarsEdit now. Markdown support will be added soon and I can't wait.
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