com_content, com_jd-wp or com_mojo?

" I would like to ask, as Joomla newbie thats struggling with even the fundamentals of modifying my template,would you recommend I use mojoblog, JD-WP, or neither of them. "

Choices, choices..

joomla's default com_content

If you need a simple, perfectly integrated joomla blog tool - you've already got it. com_content :It's not too fancy, it doesn't offer much in the way of content interaction (other than a pretty limited "rate this" feature or "share this" or "print this" buttons) so, no comments and limited rss feed capabilities (front page only) but, in it's defense, it's a solid component.

Marko's com_jd-wp

I can't say anything bad about jd-wp except that the stylesheet that comes with tends to break templates left and right (I know, i wrote it..).

MojoBlog com_mojo

So far, we've not had many "issues" with folks doin a clean install (no current or previous versions of com_jd-wp). Sure, we've got one guy who's (Phillip) battling permission issues (not truly mojoBlog related) and a couple of folks who've been patient with me for not turning on favatars during the component install but otherwise (knock on wood) installing com_mojo shouldn't be much of an issue.

As for "modifying" templates. Joomla's default blogtool inherits it's "style" from the template. com_jd-wp uses it's own, poorly hacked theme and mojoBlog, well.. mojoBlog in it's current form uses a pretty transparent themelette that -should- blend in well against most current joomla templates. Eventually (further down the beta towards a stable release) we'll introduce fully interchangeable themelettes so's folks can swap and trade (like baseball cards) designs at whim.

Modules, Plugins and `bots

Both jd-wp and mojoBlog have available "aftermarket" goodies that display stuff outside the component (latest posts, calendar, latest comments, etc.) and integrate functions better into the joomla environment (global search).

So, lot's to chew on and think about. Worst that could happen if you don't like either is, you've come away knowing a bit more about joomla, eh?