Today I’m launching DailyPen again. DailyPen is a little web app to keep a daily journal. The gimmick is that you’re limited to one post a day (with the ability to edit if needed). Originally it was a custom web app built on top of the CodeIgniter PHP framework, and I unfortunately let the domain expire and lost all the content for the few users it had. This time it’s built on WordPress as a multisite network.
There are two benefits I see with being built on WordPress:
1. It’s Faster and Easier
Developing on WordPress is a lot faster and easier because, since DailyPen is essentially a blogging platform, all of the backend functionality is already there. No need to come up with a new database architecture and write the basic functions needed to do what WordPress already does.
There are also so many plugins that people have already built for any additional extended functionality I might need. I’m not using a ton of plugins, but if I ever need something it’s most likely already out there. Plus, I don’t have to figure out how to implement it like I do with a CodeIgniter custom app.
2. It’s more secure (for a non-developer)
While a custom app can be far more secure, it all depends on what code is there. From a market share point of view, WordPress is certainly a target for more attacks. But for a non-developer like me, there are some security practices I wouldn’t think of or just don’t know.
Things like hashing passwords, cleaning inputs, and protecting the core files from attack are no-brainers, and WordPress includes it all and more. By default, a custom app doesn’t, so I have to hack my way through writing my own solution or implementing someone else’s.
In the end, I just feel more comfortable not relying on my limited knowledge of security when it comes to other people’s information.
3. BONUS: Home team pride
Since beginning work at Automattic I’ve become more passionate about WordPress. It’s not simply that it’s a powerful platform that can be used for more than just blogging, but the community behind it is extensive and massively amazing. Of course I’m proud to be working with the team who helps make it possible, and I would be remiss if I didn’t build this little app on WordPress.
I’m sure there are a host of other benefits to WordPress vs. CodeIgniter, but these are the few that stick out in my mind. I’m looking forward to seeing how it works out this time and not letting it expire. It’s just a fun little thing I wanted to release to the world because I love putting out projects like this. If you try it out and have any feedback, good or bad, don’t hesitate to let me know.
(This is actually the first post on my own DailyPen account)
Dan Hauk 