For you Movable Type users out there, 6A is having a survey of "official" plug-ins -- which ones are used, which ones should be bundled with the installation, which one is the one essential plug-in.

For the last two questions, I pointed to a plug-in I don't even use -- Paginate, which breaks archive files into multiple pages automatically. I don't use it because the frelling thing doesn't work with dynamic publishing (you can do it with some fancy work-arounds -- but said work-arounds aren't working for me these days, and I haven't had a chance to track down why). But, let's get real, folks -- archive pagination should be core functionality, especially for a blogging package set up for professional users.

Oh, SplashBlog integration (long promised since the acquisition of the product by 6A a year ago) would be nice, too.

For the record, I have Acronym, AutoBan, Feeds.App Lite**, FilterCategories**, MT-Notifier**, SmartyPants, SpamLookup*, Template Backup and Refresh*, TinyTuring, Widget Manager*, Word Count**, CatX**, and Pingedentry**.

* Come in the package already.
** Really should come standard.

With a plug-in type of architecture, I can understand 6A not wanting to load the core system with everything and the kitchen sink. The unstarred items above -- Acronym, AutoBan, SmartyPants, TinyTuring -- are all really spiffy, and I'd hate to have my blog without them, but I'm not sure that means that everyone should have to download and maneuver around their code.

I do have a long-range plan to completely redo my MT templates, and so that list might grow or shrink in the future -- but that plan's been around a while, so don't hold your breath. :-)

Filed under :: Blogging