Some article describing the different blogging engines. (as long as you consider WordPress a blogging engine).
WordPress
How to: Disable the “please update now” message in WP dashboard
http://codex.wordpress.org/Administration_Over_SSL
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/bm-custom-login/
http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/12/28/9-wordpress-admin-themes/
Safely modify your WordPress admin’s CSS and make it futureproof
Getting started with wordpress
http://lifehacker.com/5365600/the-beginners-guide-to-tricking-out-your-wordpress-blog