TypePad Support versus WordPress FAQ
When I started this blog about comparing WordPress and Typepad, what I forgot or didn’t really think about is that any software is continuously improved, so any comparison is only valid for so long, and soon, many of my posts will be obsolete. Such is the case with my previous observations on TypePad Help versus WordPress Help. Both WordPress and TypePad have now revamped their support functions recently – and I need to make a new post…so what has changed?
WordPress – screencasts
WordPress Help screencast
WordPress FAQ is comprehensive, but is it easily navigable? And does it provides all the answers? No. Well, at least that “No” is my personal observation based on all the questions I have encountered in the WordPress Support Forum. Time and again I see people asking questions that should be in plain sight in the FAQ. Maybe that is why WordPress now includes Screencasts addressing key features and frequently asked questions about WordPress.
At the time of writing this there are in fact 38 screencasts. That should pretty much cover everything
TypePad – structure
TypePad Support before
TypePad Support after
If you look at the screen shot of TypePad Support before and now you will see a big difference. The big difference is that TypePad Support is now topically structured – before you had to search and hope that your search indeed would turn up something useful. Now is much easier to get around. An lo and behold, Typepad too has screencasts, or Video Tutorials, although only 13, and by my judgement, not the most typical issues.
Conclusion
Both WordPress and TypePad have made great improvements in their Help function since I started this blog a couple months ago. I look forward to seeing them develop further. It’s certainly easier to find your way around in TypePad than in WordPress, but WordPress has more screencasts and the support forum. Thus, like before, I’d still give two thumbs up to WordPress and only one thumb up to TypePad.
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Thank you for sharing this great comparison…
Sincerely
‘one of your faithful readers’,:)
it’s nice that they’re using Camtasia studio 5 but the audio quality
was better bad in some spots of the video.. (Type pad)
Video link,
http://example.typepad.com/screencasts/kb251/kb251gettingstarted.html
Teck
I heartily agree with you that the WP.com FAQs are unwieldy. It’s the one area of COM that really hasn’t had a makeover yet, and given the hint in the screencast announcement, I’m hoping it’s coming soon.
Thanks for your feedback and for the kind words!
We’re constantly improving our FAQ and trying to make it easier to navigate and find the answers that users need. It is a big project and a big focus here, so I’m confident that you’ll continue to see improvement. :)
Douglas
WordPress.com Support
Thanks for your feedback from us in TypePad support. We’re glad you like the improvements to the Knowledge Base, we have been working hard on making it easier to use and will be continuing to do so as we go forward. If you have specific suggestions or thoughts about a particular article you can also use the rating function to send your feedback directly to our Knowledge Base team.
Thanks!
Laura
TypePad Support