If you are in the search for a PHP-powered blogging application that gives you an easy gateway into running a blog, online diary or even a complete web page – Serendipity is a free script worth checking out.

Looking over the fresh install instructions, the process looks pretty straight forward.  You upload, configure and get your blog going.  Some of the features include (but are not limited to):

• Simple. Designed for users of all technical levels.

• Robust Editing Interface. Featuring an (optional) WSYISWG editor, easily browsable image manager, extended entry support, entries statistics and a host of other features.

• Threaded comments, Nested categories and posting to multiple categories are supported.

• Anti-Spam / Comment moderation. Through use of a (bundled) plugin you can enable CAPTCHAs, SURBL-blacklisting, automatted comment moderation based on the content of a comment. Highly configurable.

Here is a little more about the blogging script from the developers:

Serendipity is a PHP-powered weblog application which gives the user an easy way to maintain an online diary, weblog or even a complete homepage. While the default package is designed for the casual blogger, Serendipity offers a flexible, expandable and easy-to-use framework with the power for professional applications.

There is also full support for both themes and plugins.  So extending Serendipity is an option, if you need a few more tools at your fingertips.  Also, be sure to check out the demo hosted over on OpenSourceCMS.com.

Want to know more?  Check out the FAQ.  I would highly recommend Serendipity to anybody looking for an alternative to MovableType or WordPress.