@Andrew -

I think that your you are hypocritical in your own argument:

"I really think that it is essential, for good workflow practices, to create a clear and clean separation between the website and the administration of that site."

Workflow doesn't have to be a system between the administrator and its end-user viewpoint. What if it is a site such as Bleacherreport? The conception of content creation revolves around users who are using their free time to invent content for a website. So their workflow, regardless of an front-end editor, is going to be imperfect considering the small rewards.

Going into the editor, making changes, previewing, and then making the decision to publish the amendments at least provides the opportunity to review and consider changes before they happen.

Workflow is always dependent on the talent of the content creator, divided by the time to create and improve his/her work. To say a content creator is going to be lazy because of an editor is the equivalent of saying the workflow of producing a database will suffer because of a GUI program ( are you prepared to go against Seaside DB or Ruby on Rails? ).

Content is watered down because people are not talented. Period. If a content writer loses focus because he can easily edit his/her work, then they were not talented enough in the first place that they can overcome this fallacy and produce meaningful content.

To create a clear and clean separation between the administration is already resolved due to the protocol of how a user can manipulate the information in front of him. This is called Wordpress user levels. Administration is already clear. If you are confused by the separation, then you are not smart enough to be using Wordpress. The separation is clear for the administrator, and if they don't want this in the front end, I am more happy to make my site more efficient than theirs.

Going into the editor, making changes, previewing, and then making the decision to publish the amendments at least provides the opportunity to review and consider changes before they happen.

This, in comparison to a front-end editor, would be highly inefficient in the means of workflow. If I had to publish an article in 20 minutes, I would have less time to produce talent, and more time would be needed to manage. The mere existence of the blog is utilized to create more efficiency, so why is it that a front-end editor somehow doesn't fit into this workflow?

If one is so inclined to force people to go to the editor, why are people using Wordpress? Why not have them use the editor in Microsoft Word? Or Wordpad? From there, they can then judge the opportunity to review and consider the changes before they happen. Right?

So, I ask all of you, for the most proper talent, do not write in wordpress, or any word processor. You must become a traditionalist, and write in pen & paper. Shorthand some of your notes on the side. From there, you will have the greatest workflow that has existed amongst writers for many centuries.

Or you can use Wordpress. And use its efficient processes such as this plugin. Take your pick.

Ps: I did not review this post. It is made up of Wolf Larsen's fury.