I decided that I would like to "try" Expression Engine.
On their website, there is a trial version you can use for 14 days. FOR FREE! Cool! I like FREE! So I proceeded to download it and following the directions VERY carefully, uploaded it to my server, check this, diddled with that. Clicked install.......
ERROR! Big and bold.
My bad! Guess I wasn't quite as careful as I thought. So I REDID it. This time being VERY VERY careful to get all the instructions right. Clicked install...
ERROR ERROR Will Robinson. DAMN.
Next step. Send an email to the support. They said it was okay even if you were only using the "TRIAL" version. First email back was the typical
"you are a dork and you have to follow the directions exactly or it will not work"email. So of course. I redid it again, third times a charm, right, WRONG. . . "ERROR" File Expired" What the f*ck! I only downloaded it 5 hours ago. Not 14 days and 5 hours ago.
So I shot another email back to tech support. This one outlining the fact that I am not really a "dumb dork" and that I DID follow the directions EXACTLY. That I mostly know what I am doing. The return email stated that it looked like a file was goofy in the trial install. That it had been fixed and to re-download the "trial version" and try again.
You betcha "Red Rider". Got all the time in the world. So I downloaded, unzipped, uploaded, chmoded ... All Set! Clicked Intall....... back to the first ERROR. ARRRRRRG.
So, about that time I sent ANOTHER email. Stating what I did, that I was still getting the error and was very frustrated. With a final line.
"I guess I am destine NOT to try Expression Engine. Thanks for the help, anyway."
I just wasn't willing to mess anymore.
So I get this email from Expression Engine.
"How bout I send you a full version, on the honor system, for you to try out."
I jumped at it. First time to install. Perfect So for the next month, I get to "try" Expression Engine. I will let you know.
OOh, it looks intriguing. I hate installing anything; it almost never works out the way I think it will. It always gets done and I figure it out, after way longer than I want to spend. Keep us posted on what you think of it and I'll stay away from the "free trial."
I am a first class DORK (notice the capital letters) when it comes to computers!
Ok I'm a dorkus, what is Expression Engine. Please don't say another browers!! It's hard enought to rig up a layout in the ones already out there.
Expression Engine is "another" blogging software. Like Movable Type - WordPress - Typepad etc. I am just looking for the "perfect" blogging experience. LOL
Just like MT, once everything is set up, it's easy to use. The current version even has its own Blacklist module, too, so you don't have to worry about installing that separately.. Supposedly the beta version being tested currently has an image gallery.
Personally, I like EE quite a bit. The price tag is kind of hefty (although I got mine free when they were doing their promo during the MT3.0 fiasco), but it's something I may contemplate paying for when the time comes.
Hmmm, Think I'll give it a go too! :)
That gesture says alot about the developers; hopefully you will like it enough to go ahead and purchase the full version. At least they hope you will.
What exactly about EE did you like over, say, WordPress or TextPattern - or Movable Type for that matter? Just curious. Don't mind me, I have testbeds of just about every common blog tool -- and quite a few obscure ones too -- out there and I shed them regularly, like a snake. Right now I'm using WordPress but I may switch to TextPattern. I just haven't decided yet. WordPress and TextPattern, by the way, are FREE.