writing a blog using wordpress.com on an iPad

  • Unknown's avatar
    nutrisue · Member ·

    Why is the interface for wordpress.com so bad on an iPad. I can’t even write my blog. I bought my iPad so I could update my blog easily and the interface sucks. Why isn’t it the same as the desktop version. There is no option to post to other social media sites, ie; FaceBook and Twitter, and getting the page to look half way decent is really difficulty. I have to manually go in and remove or add breaks around photos. It’s just really bad and cumbersome. Am I missing something. Where’s the dashboard. I hate to complain, since WordPress.com is free but I’m finding it really difficult to keep up my posting. I just don’t have the time to sit at my computer. I really, really want to use my iPad. Wah!

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • eurello · Staff ·

    Hi there – I’m sorry you’re having a bad experience with the iPad version of your site. Are you using the browser, or are you using the mobile app?

    If you are using the app, the typical Dashboard functions are to the left. You can read a bit more about this here:
    http://wpiphone.wordpress.com/

    For some appearance-related functions, you’ll need to access the full version of the site, but the app should link you to the Dashboard in your iPad’s Safari browser (click the View Admin option in the app).

    If you have publicize connected on your site, your new posts should post to Facebook/Twitter, whether you post from the app or from your desktop:
    Publicize

    If this doesn’t help, can you please provide a bit more detail of exactly what you’re trying to do and what happens when you try? A screenshot might be a big help.

    Here’s how to make a screenshot on an iPad: http://en.support.wordpress.com/make-a-screenshot/#iphone-ipad-or-ipod-touch

    You can upload it to your blog’s Media Library and I can look at it there.

  • Unknown's avatar
    nutrisue · Member ·

    Hi, thanks for getting back to me. AWESOME.
    I was using the iPad app. I noticed on the screenshot you referenced that there is a dashboard on the left nav. On my app there is no dashboard. Weird.
    On the app images need alt tags to be manually input and I have no option to do a bulleted list. The app is very cumbersome.
    I checked out the browser version of WP and there seem to be more options.
    I’ll download a screenshot of my app options to my media library.
    Thanks, Sue

  • Unknown's avatar
    nutrisue · Member ·

    Hi, I took some screenshots but am not sure how to upload them to my media library from my iPad so I added them to ‘Test blog’.

  • eurello · Staff ·

    Hi Sue –

    The mobile app is a simpler interface than the full site. It’s possible to do a lot of the most-often performed tasks from it, and to write, save, and edit posts.

    While we are adding features to the app all the time, it’s designed to work well on a smaller screen, so it’s not going to include everything in the same layout as the desktop version.

    An iPad is a larger screen than a phone, though, so if you want the exact same interface you use on your desktop, just load WordPress.com in the browser on your iPad, rather than through the app.

    It seems like one of the main things you miss in the app is the toolbar buttons on a new post, correct?

    While those don’t appear, you do have many of the most-used functions in the top level of keys on the keyboard that pops up. For example, a bulleted list is the “ul” button there. That stands for unordered lists. When you click it, you’ll see the following inserted: 

    <ul>

</ul>

    You’ll want to click in between those two tags, then click the “li” button and type your list item in between the two “li” tags. And do this for each list item. For example: 

    <ul>
<li>Apples</li>
<li>Oranges</li>
</ul>

    I found this resource that has some pretty good documentation on how to use the app:
    http://help.edublogs.org/ios/

    I realize that’s a bit more complex than the regular toolbar button, and I’ll pass your feedback on the app along to the mobile team for consideration in future updates. I also realize that we could definitely improve our app-specific support documentation. ;)

    We really appreciate your feedback on this, as the mobile apps in particular are being constantly worked on.

  • Unknown's avatar
    nutrisue · Member ·

    While the WP app leaves a lot to be desired (i’ll use the browser version from now on, it seems more robust), your support is exemplary! Thank you so much for addressing my issues.
    I’m kind of surprised by the lack of functionality with the app because, like me, I’m sure there are many people who’d like to use their iPads to write and update their blogs. As I seem to get busier and busier, it’s more difficult to write at home and the iPad let’s me write on the go.
    Thanks!

  • eurello · Staff ·

    Hi Sue – Yep, lots of people are using their iPads and phones to blog now, and we continue to work on the app, so your feedback is really helpful. :)

    Let us know if we can help you out with anything else!

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