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Ghost
by Ghost
by Ghost
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
We help make selecting a software for your business effortless, economical and efficient.
by Ghost
by Ghost
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
The typical implementation process for Ghost software involves several key steps, and the duration can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the user's familiarity with the platform. Here is a general outline of the process:
1. Sign Up and Trial: Users can start by signing up for a free 14-day trial to explore Ghost's features and capabilities.
2. Site Design and Customization: Users have complete control over their website and branding. They can launch a custom website and tweak design settings to match their brand and style. Ghost offers hundreds of custom themes in its marketplace, or users can build their own completely custom design from scratch.
3. Content Migration: Ghost provides a concierge migration service to help users move their content from platforms like Substack, Medium, WordPress, and others to Ghost. This service is offered for free and can significantly streamline the transition process.
4. Integration with Other Tools: Ghost integrates with various tools such as ActiveCampaign, Zapier, Stripe, Slack, and many others. This ensures that users can continue using their preferred tools for email marketing, payment processing, analytics, and more.
5. Publishing and Newsletter Setup: Users can publish content on the web and send newsletters via email. Ghost's editor is designed for professionals, offering advanced workflows and a user-friendly interface.
6. Monetization and Subscription Management: Ghost allows users to offer paid subscriptions to their members, helping them monetize their content effectively. The platform supports various payment gateways and provides tools for managing subscriptions.
7. Resources and Support: Ghost offers a library of resources and guides to help users get the most out of the platform. Additionally, users can hire certified professional freelancers and agencies for further assistance.
The time required to implement Ghost can vary. For a basic setup, it might take a few days to a week, especially if the user is familiar with website design and content management systems. For more complex projects involving custom designs, extensive content migration, and multiple integrations, the process could take several weeks.
Overall, Ghost provides a comprehensive set of tools and support to help users quickly and efficiently set up their publishing platform.
Yes, Ghost software can be customized to fit specific business needs. Here are several data points that illustrate the customization capabilities of Ghost:
Customization Options
1. Themes and Design:
- Ghost offers complete control over website design and branding. Users can launch a custom website and tweak design settings to match their brand and style. There are hundreds of custom themes available in the marketplace, and users can also build their own completely custom designs from scratch.
- For those with coding knowledge, Ghost allows for extensive customization of themes using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This includes creating custom page templates and integrating JavaScript libraries and widgets for specific pages and posts[15].
2. API and Webhooks:
- Ghost supports custom API integrations, allowing businesses to create, access, and manage content programmatically. The platform provides Content API and Admin API keys for these purposes.
- Custom integrations can also deliver outgoing webhooks based on specific events, such as when a member is added or when the site changes, enabling automated workflows and external notifications.
3. Adapters and Configuration:
- Ghost allows for customizations at multiple layers through an adapter system, including storage, caching, single sign-on (SSO), and scheduling. Users can declare custom adapters for specific features, such as using a custom cache adapter for image sizes.
- Custom configuration files can be used to override Ghost’s default behavior, providing a range of options to configure the publication to suit specific needs. This includes setting up mail configurations, database connections, and other environment-specific settings.
4. Integrations:
- Ghost integrates with a wide range of third-party tools and services, including email marketing platforms (e.g., MailChimp, ConvertKit), payment gateways (e.g., Stripe), analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), and more. These integrations can be set up easily, often by simply pasting an embed code or using API keys[14].
- The platform also supports automation tools like Zapier and n8n, which allow users to create sophisticated workflows and connect Ghost with hundreds of other apps. This can include automations such as publishing new posts to social media or syncing subscriber data with email marketing services[11][18][20].
5. Content Management and Publishing:
- Ghost’s editor is designed for professional publishers, offering advanced workflows and the ability to publish content by web and email newsletter. Users can segment their audience and send multiple different newsletters based on preferences.
- The platform supports rich media and dynamic content, including image galleries, videos, audio, products, and more, allowing businesses to create engaging and interactive content.
6. Monetization and Subscription Management:
- Ghost allows businesses to offer paid subscriptions to their members, supporting various payment tiers and providing tools for managing memberships and subscriptions. This includes native signup forms, detailed engagement analytics, and the ability to run offers and promotions.
Developer-Friendly Features
1. Open Source and Extensibility:
- Ghost is an open-source platform, which means users have access to the source code and can modify it to fit their specific needs. This provides greater flexibility and control over the blogging experience compared to closed-source platforms.
- The platform is built with modern technologies like Node.js and Handlebars.js, making it developer-friendly and easy to extend[15].
2. Custom Integrations and Automation:
- Ghost’s robust JSON API allows for the creation of custom integrations with dedicated API keys and webhooks. This enables businesses to build entirely custom publishing apps, automate content workflows, and integrate with other systems seamlessly[11][12][14].
However, based on the information available, here are some relevant points:
1. Setup Fees: There is no mention of any upfront setup fees for using Ghost's self-hosted open-source software. Users can download and install Ghost for free.
2. Hosting Costs: To run Ghost, users need to have a hosting environment, which can incur monthly or yearly costs depending on the hosting provider and plan chosen. For example, one user mentioned paying $16.80/month for hosting on DigitalOcean.
3. Ghost(Pro) Managed Hosting: Ghost offers a managed hosting service called Ghost(Pro), which has different pricing tiers starting from $9/month for the Starter plan up to $199/month for the Business plan. These plans include hosting, support, and additional features like advanced configuration options.
4. Third-Party Service Costs: Depending on the integrations and services used alongside Ghost, there may be additional costs involved. For example, using Stripe for payment processing (which Ghost integrates with natively) incurs transaction fees of around 2.9%. Other potential costs mentioned include $10/year for a custom email domain and fees for email delivery services like MailGun if not using Ghost(Pro).
5. Support Costs: For the self-hosted open-source version of Ghost, there are no official support costs mentioned. However, the Ghost(Pro) paid plans offer priority support, with higher tiers like Team ($50/month) and Business ($199/month) providing access to dedicated support channels.
Training and Support for Ghost Software
Ghost offers a variety of training and support options to help new users get started and troubleshoot any issues they may encounter. Here are the key aspects of the training and support provided:
1. Documentation and Guides:
- Ghost provides comprehensive documentation and guides to help users set up and manage their Ghost installations. This includes step-by-step instructions for installation, configuration, and customization.
- There are also troubleshooting guides available, such as the one mentioned in the Ghost forum, which aims to help beginners learn how to troubleshoot common issues by searching for error codes and eliminating possibilities.
2. Community Support:
- Ghost has an active community forum where users can ask questions, share experiences, and get help from other Ghost users and developers. This community-driven support can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning best practices.
3. Ghost(Pro) Managed Hosting Support:
- For users of Ghost(Pro), the managed hosting service, there is priority support available. This includes access to dedicated support channels where users can get help with any issues they encounter.
- Ghost(Pro) plans also come with concierge migration services to help users move their content from other platforms to Ghost, ensuring a smooth transition.
4. Third-Party Integrations and Automation:
- Ghost supports a wide range of third-party integrations and automation tools, such as Zapier and n8n, which can help users automate workflows and connect Ghost with other applications they use. This can simplify many tasks and reduce the need for manual intervention.
5. Professional Services:
- Users can hire certified professional freelancers and agencies for more advanced customization and support needs. This can be particularly useful for businesses that require specific customizations or have complex requirements.
6. LearnHub for GhostPractice:
- For GhostPractice, a law practice management solution, there is a dedicated LearnHub that provides training, information, and support. This includes access to training materials, system requirements documents, and immediate assistance via phone or email.
7. Onboarding and Hands-On Support:
- GhostPractice also offers hands-on support during the onboarding and implementation phases. This includes on-site support to help teams get comfortable with the new processes and ongoing support to address any issues that arise.
Ghost software implements a comprehensive set of security measures to protect data, ensuring compliance with modern security standards and best practices. Here are the key security measures in place:
Technical and Organizational Security Measures
1. Encryption:
- Ghost uses encryption to protect data during transmission and storage. This includes automatic SSL configuration for all new Ghost installs using Let’s Encrypt, ensuring that data transmitted over the internet is encrypted and secure.
2. Access Control:
- Access to data is restricted to authorized users only. Ghost ensures that any person authorized to process personal data is under an appropriate obligation of confidentiality.
- User login attempts and password reset requests are limited to 5 per hour per IP to prevent brute force attacks.
- Passwords are hashed and salted using bcrypt, following OWASP authentication standards.
3. Data Validation and Serialization:
- Ghost performs strong serialization and validation on all data that goes into the database, as well as automated symlink protection on all uploaded files. This helps prevent SQL injection (SQLi) and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
4. Security Incident Response:
- Upon becoming aware of a security incident, Ghost will notify affected users without undue delay and provide sufficient information to allow them to meet any obligations to report or inform relevant third parties under data protection laws.
5. Regular Security Audits and Updates:
- Ghost maintains records of its security standards and provides written responses to reasonable requests for information, including security and audit questionnaires.
- The platform's security measures are subject to technical progress and development, and Ghost may update or modify these measures as needed to maintain or improve security.
6. Dependency Management:
- All Ghost dependencies are continually scanned using automated tools like GitHub tooling and yarn audit to ensure their integrity and security.
7. Physical Security:
- Physical security measures include securing devices and facilities that store sensitive information. This can involve locking devices in secure storage cabinets, implementing access control systems with biometric authentication or key cards, and installing security cameras and alarms in sensitive areas.
8. Data Loss Prevention (DLP):
- Ghost uses DLP solutions to prevent the transfer of sensitive data through unauthorized channels and to monitor and log any attempts to transfer such data. This includes scanning company devices for files containing sensitive data and deleting or encrypting them when necessary.
9. Secure Collaboration Tools:
- Ghost controls the movement of sensitive data across popular collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, and Skype, applying policies that restrict the use and transfer of sensitive data.
10. Regular Backups and Disaster Recovery:
- Ghost ensures the availability of data through regular backups and disaster recovery planning. This includes daily backup schedules for all critical data and measures to ensure maximum uptime.
Compliance with Data Protection Laws
- Ghost complies with data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk, protecting personal data from security incidents, and preserving the security and confidentiality of personal data.
Update Frequency and Management for Ghost Software
Ghost (Publishing Platform)
1. Update Frequency:
- Ghost, the publishing platform, does not require users to upgrade with every small change. The frequency of updates can depend on the features needed by the user. For example, a user mentioned that they do not need to upgrade every time a small change is made, indicating that updates are released regularly but are not mandatory to apply immediately.
2. Management of Updates:
- Users can choose to update their Ghost installation based on the features they need. This flexibility allows users to manage updates according to their specific requirements and avoid unnecessary disruptions.
Ghost (Disk Utility)
1. Update Frequency:
- The Ghost disk utility, particularly the Symantec Ghost Solution Suite, has had several major releases over the years. For instance, GSS 3.2, including Ghost 12.0, was released on May 18, 2017, with subsequent updates adding support for new features and systems.
- The latest release mentioned is GSS 3.3, which was released on October 31, 2018, adding support for new technologies and systems.
2. Management of Updates:
- Updates for the Ghost disk utility are managed through the Ghost Solution Suite, which includes tools for deploying and managing updates across multiple systems. This suite allows for remote management, scheduling deployment jobs, and ensuring compliance with update requirements.
- Users can perform silent installations and upgrades, making it easier to manage updates across large environments without manual intervention.
Ghost (Trolling Motor Software)
1. Update Frequency:
- The Ghost trolling motor software has periodic updates. For example, version 1.3 was released on April 16, 2024.
- Users have reported issues with the app not showing the latest updates immediately, suggesting that updates might be available through different methods such as SD cards before being available via the app[15].
2. Management of Updates:
- Updates can be managed through the app or by using an SD card. Users have found that using an SD card can sometimes be more reliable than the app for updating the software[15].
- The process involves downloading the update, transferring it to an SD card, and then applying the update to the device[15].
General Patch Management Best Practices
For effective patch management, the following steps are recommended:
1. Discovery and Inventory:
- Establish a comprehensive inventory of all systems and software to understand what needs to be patched[10].
2. Categorization and Prioritization:
- Categorize assets by risk and priority to ensure critical patches are applied first.
3. Policy Creation:
- Develop patch management policies that define what will be patched, when, and under what conditions.
4. Monitoring and Testing:
- Continuously monitor for new patches and vulnerabilities, and test patches in a controlled environment before deployment[10].
5. Deployment and Auditing:
- Deploy patches according to the established policies and perform regular audits to ensure compliance and effectiveness[10].
Ghost's Policy on Data Ownership and Portability
Data Ownership
1. User Control and Rights:
- Ghost emphasizes that users retain control over their data. The platform ensures that users have the rights to access, use, transfer, and dispose of their data as they see fit. This is crucial for maintaining data security, integrity, and usability.
2. Intellectual Property:
- Ghost Foundation retains all intellectual property rights related to the services, including trademarks, service marks, graphics, and logos. However, this does not extend to user data, which remains under the control of the users.
- Users do not gain any rights, interest, or ownership in Ghost's intellectual property by using the services. This separation ensures that while Ghost manages the platform, the data generated and stored by users remains their property.
3. Compliance and Legal Obligations:
- Ghost complies with data protection regulations such as GDPR, ensuring that users' data is handled in accordance with legal requirements. This includes maintaining audit trails, demonstrating accountability, and fulfilling legal obligations without compromising regulatory compliance.
Data Portability
1. Export and Transfer:
- Ghost supports data portability by allowing users to export their data. This is facilitated through common technical standards that enable the transfer of data from one data controller to another. Users can export their data into user-accessible local files, promoting interoperability and ease of data transfer.
- The platform ensures that data can be exported in structured, commonly used, machine-readable formats such as CSV or JSON, which are essential for effective data portability and interoperability.
2. Vendor Lock-In Prevention:
- By supporting data portability, Ghost helps prevent vendor lock-in, allowing users to move their data between different services without being restricted by proprietary formats or systems. This flexibility is crucial for users who may need to switch platforms or integrate their data with other systems.
3. Technical Standards and Interoperability:
- Ghost adheres to technical standards that facilitate data portability. This includes using file standards that allow for easy reuse and ensuring that data schemas are well-defined and versioned to maintain compatibility with other systems.
- The platform's commitment to interoperability ensures that users can not only export their data but also integrate it with other systems and services, enhancing the overall usability and flexibility of their data.
Terms for Scaling Up or Down with Ghost Software
Ghost (Publishing Platform)
1. Scalability and High Availability:
- Ghost does not natively support running multiple instances with a load balancer for high availability (HA). Instead, it suggests running a single instance with a caching layer in front, such as Varnish, to handle high traffic volumes. This setup can scale to over 1.5 billion requests per month with generally 100% uptime.
- For organizations with higher requirements, Ghost encourages users to discuss their specific use cases to explore potential solutions.
2. Flexible Hosting Options:
- Ghost can be hosted on various platforms, including shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. This flexibility allows organizations to scale their hosting environment based on their needs. For example, hosting providers like InterServer, A2 Hosting, and Liquid Web offer scalable solutions tailored for Ghost CMS.
- Cloud hosting providers like Kamatera offer scalable cloud infrastructure that can adjust resources up or down based on the organization's needs, ensuring low latency and reliable connectivity.
3. Managed Hosting Plans:
- Ghost(Pro) offers managed hosting plans that can be scaled up or down. These plans range from the Starter plan at $9/month to the Business plan at $199/month, allowing organizations to choose a plan that fits their current needs and upgrade or downgrade as necessary.
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite
1. Centralized Management:
- Symantec Ghost Solution Suite allows for centralized management of devices, making it easier to scale up or down as organizational needs change. The suite supports remote management, system upgrades, patch distribution, and large-scale software updates, all of which can be managed from a central console.
2. Flexible Deployment:
- The suite supports deploying and managing large groups of computers, including desktops, notebooks, and servers. This flexibility allows organizations to scale their IT infrastructure efficiently, whether they are adding new devices or reconfiguring existing ones.
3. Disaster Recovery and Backup:
- Ghost Solution Suite includes features for disaster recovery and backup, ensuring that scaling operations do not compromise data integrity. This includes automatic backups and the ability to restore systems to previous states, which is crucial when scaling down or reconfiguring systems.
General Considerations for Scaling
1. Eliminating Unnecessary Complexity:
- Organizations should aim to minimize unnecessary complexity in their network, computer environments, and applications. This reduces overhead and improves productivity, making it easier to scale up or down as needed.
2. Flexible Software and Infrastructure:
- Implementing flexible software, infrastructure, and support systems is essential for efficient scaling. Organizations should consider the mid-to-long-term cost implications and avoid investing in technology that creates friction or hinders scaling.
3. Managed Services:
- Outsourcing to a managed services provider (MSP) can be a scalable approach to technology management. MSPs offer standardized and refined processes, scalable management solutions, and flexible pricing models, making it easier for organizations to scale their IT operations.
However, I can summarize the relevant information found across the various sources:
From the Ghost.org Terms of Service :
1. Subscription Renewal:
- "Unless you notify Ghost Foundation before the end of the applicable subscription period that you want to cancel an Upgrade, your Upgrade subscription will automatically renew and you authorize us to collect the then-applicable annual or monthly subscription fee for such Upgrade."
- This suggests that Ghost subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled before the end of the subscription period.
2. Cancellation:
- "Upgrades can be cancelled at any time in the Upgrades section of your site's dashboard."
- This indicates there is an option to cancel upgrades/subscriptions through the user dashboard.
The Ghost Forum post does not provide any additional details on renewal or cancellation terms.
For Ghost Inspector , their terms state:
1. Contract Changes: "Ghost Inspector may, in its sole discretion, modify or update this Agreement from time to time, and so you should review this page periodically."
2. Termination: "If you do not agree to any of these terms or any future Terms of Service, do not use or access (or continue to access) the Service."
This implies users need to accept any future changes to the terms, including renewal/cancellation policies, or terminate their use of the service.
The other sources -[13] do not appear to contain specific information about Ghost software's renewal and cancellation terms. They mostly cover general policies around termination, auto-renewal, and the rights of providers to modify terms over time.
Compliance Standards for Ghost Software
Ghost software adheres to several compliance standards and best practices to ensure security, privacy, and reliability. Here are the key compliance standards and measures that Ghost meets:
1. OWASP Standards:
- Ghost follows the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) authentication standards. This includes hashing and salting all passwords using bcrypt to ensure password integrity.
- The platform also adheres to OWASP standards for SQL injection (SQLi) prevention, cross-site scripting (XSS) prevention, and data validation and serialization.
2. SSL/TLS Encryption:
- Ghost automatically configures SSL certificates for all new installations using Let’s Encrypt, ensuring that data transmitted over the internet is encrypted and secure.
- SSL is mandatory for all new installs, enhancing the security of data in transit.
3. Data Protection and Privacy:
- Ghost is committed to user privacy and does not engage in selling private user data. The software includes a summary of every privacy-affecting feature, along with detailed configuration options to disable any of them.
- The platform complies with data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring that user data is handled in accordance with legal requirements.
4. Security Best Practices:
- Ghost employs various security measures such as brute force protection, encoded tokens, and privilege escalation prevention to safeguard user data and maintain system integrity.
- The platform undergoes regular security audits and penetration testing by both internal staff and external security researchers to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
5. Dependency Management:
- All dependencies used by Ghost are continually scanned using automated tools like GitHub tooling and yarn audit to ensure their integrity and security.
6. Federal and Departmental Compliance:
- For users within the VA (Veterans Affairs), Ghost CMS must be operated and maintained in accordance with Federal and Department security and privacy policies and guidelines.
- The platform is compatible with multiple VA-approved operating systems and adheres to VA’s open source initiative, promoting compliance with VA regulations.
7. Industry Frameworks:
- GhostWatch, a managed security and compliance service associated with Ghost, supports over 72 industry frameworks, including SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, and more. This ensures that organizations using Ghost can meet various regulatory and industry standards.
8. Threat and Uptime Management:
- Ghost(Pro) subscribers receive service levels that include threat and uptime management, ensuring high availability and security of the hosted services.
By Ghost