While it seems that iPad would be a useful device for blogging via WordPress, this just isn’t the case. It’s surprising to sit down to what you would think would be an easy process and find out it’s not as easy as you would think it should be.
While certain aspects are easy, there are certain (important) aspects that are not. Some things, such as updating the WordPress software, are surprisingly easy and can be done right there via a browser. However, some things you would assume would be easy, such as editing or adding text and/or logos, range from difficult with the browser to just impossible. However, there are a number of workarounds to get it to work if you’re like me and insist on using your iPad.
Use HTML Editor Mode in Browser
Working with WordPress via a browser can be difficult, although it will still work. While composing a post, it’s really hard to work in the Visual Mode, especially if there are already images added in. It can be very jumpy. The best option is to work in the HTML mode and scroll from within the text box. As you can see from the above screenshot, it can also bring the menu bar down and insert it where you’re working, so you also sometimes have to move to a different page and come back to get it to go away.
Use a Different Source to Add Photos
Even more difficult than the text is working with Photos. It’s simply not an option to add them in via the browser on an iPad. It tells you it won’t work, and refers you to the WordPress app for iPad. If the photos are already added from a different source and in the library, they can be added in at this point.
Use WordPress App for Posts That are Mostly Text
In the WordPress app, the process is much easier, but there are still certain aspects that don’t work very well. You can only write in the HTML side, if we are to compare the app to the working environment of the browser. You can flip it to see what it will look like, but it isn’t very representative of the final product. However, photos can be added in here. It doesn’t allow you to choose positioning, but it does allow you to choose a size before it’s uploaded. For strict text with one logo flush left at the top, it works well.
Use Blogsy App to Easily Add Photos and Videos
There are a few other apps out there that work with WordPress, and the one I find that works the best, even more so than the WordPress app, is Blogsy. It has two sides, a rich text side and an HTML side, and they’re easier to work with than the WordPress app. Where it truly shines is in bringing in media, whether it’s photos from your iPad, or videos or photos from a website, such as YouTube or Flickr. It allows you to drag them in and add them to the library of WordPress, and also allows you to position it exactly where you want it, as well as choose the orientation and size. The only small drawback is that it uploads the file before you choose your display size. For websites with a limit on photo size, this can be a problem. The developers are continually making adjustments and workaround for seemingly all other problems.
Apple is always making improvements to its iOS system as well, and hopefully WordPress will be addressed at some point. It will almost have to be with the trend that seems to be nearing of eventually eliminating desktops and having all mobile devices and software. Until then, there are at least some decent workarounds.
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