Ask HN: How do you handle blog post uploads for your website?

3 points by jdnordy 5 years ago | 2 comments

Currently, I’m adding markdown files to the github repo for my website, which then deploys through vercel. I use next js and the getStaticProps api and the dynamic routes functionality to generate a page for each markdown file. Right now, this works great as I only have 3 writings. But I imagine as a continue to post, this won’t scale well. So I’m curious to hear what everyone else does for their website?

outerouterspace 5 years ago |

I use a Node-based static site generator called Hexo [1] for the blog I'm most active with. I actually wrote about my experience setting up Hexo on that blog. [2] I went with Hexo because of the availability of themes, plugins and documentation.

My workflow goes like this: 1) Write blog post in markdown, making sure to include the YAML front-matter (JSON's also an option), 2) Generate the static pages from that blog post using `hexo generate` in my CLI, 3) Use `hexo server` in my CLI to preview my changes locally in my browser, 4) Upload my files to my remote server (I haven't automated this part yet)

Alternatively, I've tried static site generation & deployment with Node, TiddlyWiki [3] and GitHub Pages. Although TiddlyWiki's not meant to be a static site by default (nor a blog), there's a lot of helpful documentation out there [4] that explains how it can be used in that way. I got a static representation of my TiddlyWiki digital garden [5] up and running in an afternoon, whereas Hexo took me a few days to figure out.

[1]: https://hexo.io/

[2]: http://practicing.design/2020/05/02/my-review-of-hexo-a-node...

[3]: https://tiddlywiki.com/

[4]: https://nesslabs.com/tiddlywiki-static-website-generator

[5]: http://meet-me-in.space/

noble_pleb 5 years ago |

Just like you, I use github pages for hosting my blog, but I also use a static generator called Pelican[1] to generate its contents (pages and blog posts). Its written in python and open source, although other options like Jekyll and Hugo are also quite popular.

Using a static generator gives structure to your blog content and links, its also easier to maintain a static site compared to any other method.

[1]: https://docs.getpelican.com/