Categories
web

WordPress

So, that whole website overhaul thing, how did that work out Isaac? Sigh…

 

In case you don’t remember, I had a nerd rage moment and decided that i no longer wanted to deal with using a web authoring program, didn’t want to deal with web hosting, didn’t want to change the way I post blog entries, and essentially wanted all the blog goodness without all the blog hassle. My plan was pretty simple, close down my website, continue to use Blogger to host my blogs, and simply (hah!) add a better looking template to the blogger sites. I cancelled my hosting plan, bought a theme that I loved for the blog, and then paid someone to adapt it so that it would work for Blogger.

That last bit was the actual issue. He did eventually come through and give me a working theme however I still had to do a lot of fiddling to get it to work. Got it good enough and then promptly let it languish while I dealt with some health stuff. When I finally got back to it, something had changed. Things weren’t displaying properly again and I couldn’t remember what I had to change in order to get the theme to work/look the way I wanted on my other blogs. I really like the theme but it wasn’t written for Blogger, it was adapted. ARGGGH!

So I ended up doing what I should have done all along. I went ahead and bought web hosting, bought the WordPress version of the theme I like, and started a wordpress blog. I was able to import all of the blog posts from Blogger, the site behaves the way it should, I can use the posting tools I like (MarsEdit on the Mac and there is a good iPad app to use), and as a bonus I own all of my content on my own service.

I went back to Dreamhost for my hosting duties. I’m pretty sure I’ll be paying the same, or maybe a little less than I did before, right around 7 or 8 bucks a month. Yes, I did pay for 2 years up front to get that price, but I went with them for two reasons. First, I really liked their hosting. After a rather shaky start back in 2006, they have been rock solid since then. I also like their customer service. I had to get some help on a couple of things this time around. Used the online chat and they were able to solve both problems in under a couple of minutes. Good stuff. The other reason I went with them is because I knew they had 1 click installation of WordPress and automatic updates. If you know your stuff, installing WordPress shouldn’t be too big a deal. I don’t know that stuff however so the auto installation was a godsend. 

Got it up and running with little problem. Imported the stuff from Blogger with no problem. As a bonus, I realized I could also import my content from LiveJournal! That’s where I started before moving over to Blogger. I started blogging back in 2004! While there were a few formatting issues, having all of my posts in a single blog is just wonderful. Also glad to get my stuff out of those services before LiveJournal closes down and/or Google decides to shut down Blogger.

I’m still gutting my head around what is possible with Word Press. I’ve never used such a full featured blogging platform before. The theme I’m using has a lot of posting options. Hope I can make use of them. I still have a few things I’d like to sort out but overall I’m happy with the way it has come together and how it looks. Should have done this from the start.

Categories
adn odds and ends

Writing again… hopefully

It’s been a while, a long while since I’ve done any writing. I’m going to try to get started again. I finally feel like I’m capable of putting something intelligent out there again but I suppose you’ll be the judge of that. I’ve overhauled the website, it’s still a work in progress so please bear with me.

 

I’ve also made a few other blogs for more specialized topics. This one will still be my catch all, economics, music, general thoughts, etc. I have a blog specifically about app.net called ADNViews. App.net is the social media service that I have been using the most recently. There’s a lot going on there, if you’re curious you can check it out or listen to the podcasts I have made about it. . I have also made a new blog called Through Complexity that I hope will explore just how complicated things really are. Too often we think we know what’s really going on and therefore know just how to fix things. I think there is too much hubris and not enough humility when it comes to things like the economy, politics, justice, etc. Haven’t posted there yet, but things are percolating…

 

One of the many things that app.net has allowed me to do is make podcasts! I will drop them into these blogs if I think they’re appropriate. Sometimes you gotta say stuff instead of writing it… OK, enough blogging about blogging, time to get to writing!

Categories
podcast

@kosso immersion is the best way:)

via BLI.MS posts by eyes http://bli.ms/12954

Categories
podcast

@kosso thanks for looking into it. Some thoughts.

via BLI.MS posts by eyes http://bli.ms/12951

Categories
podcast

Ticking grief bombs. Length 8:45 @thelma

via BLI.MS posts by eyes http://bli.ms/12793

Categories
podcast

Podcasting through ADN with the #pan client. The quality of your social media experience is your responsibility. Length 5:45

via BLI.MS posts by eyes http://bli.ms/12103