“To blog, or not to blog, that is the question“, or that was the question, and one that I’ve now clearly answered after much deliberation, but How and Why?
How?
This was the easy one. After a general trawl around the web and much Stumbling, it became plainly apparent that the blogging platform of choice was WordPress.
I already had my own domain (www.richardfarrar.com), which I’d had for quite a while, however this was presently being hosted on a Windows server running ASP scripting (WordPress requires PHP scripting and a MySQL database). So…
- Step 1: Get a hosting account supporting PHP scripting and MySQL databases (supplied courtesy of Zen Internet).
- Step 2: Convert my existing site from ASP to PHP.
- Step 3: Play with WordPress themes to replicate my existing site as closely as possible.
- Step 4: Crow-bar my existing pages into static pages within the WordPress framework.
…all ready to go. All I need now is content!
Why?
Well, I’m still not exactly sure what this blogging thing is all about, but have decided to take the plunge anyway and make it up as I go along.
Over the years I’ve been guided and assisted in my journey through cyberspace by a plethora of information on the web, posted by many selfless individuals. So I guess this blog is an attempt to redress the balance and give something back to the web community.
Hopefully I’ll have something worthwhile to say. I certainty won’t be posting entries about my cat. Probably because I haven’t got a cat, but the principle would remain even if I did, so no fear if I get a kitten for Christmas…
Colin commented
16 Mar 08 at 7:13 pmHi Richard,
Had to be the first to post I guess, love your new site and I’m looking forward to reading your articles. Having known you for many years I am sure you will be sharing plenty of information and views on many subjects. Looking forward to your next post.
Simon Hancock commented
16 Mar 08 at 8:26 pmHey Richard – what are you planning to post on your blog? I think mine is going to be my usual ramblings on my favourite subjects – pseudoscientific nonsense and trying to be green.
Simon
Richard commented
16 Mar 08 at 8:42 pmHi Simon,
Still in a state of flux at the moment, but some general internet / podcasting / web design / e-commerce / internet marketing stuff I guess together with a dash of social comment and maybe a side order of project management for good measure. Basically, stuff from my background and experiences that I can talk about without fear of talking out of my backside too much???
Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind and do a U-turn at a moment’s notice, buy a cat and do a daily blog on it’s bowel movements 🙂
John commented
17 Mar 08 at 7:51 pmRichard, this looks like you are getting off to a great start. I look forward to learning from your blogs!
Hilary commented
18 Mar 08 at 6:38 amHi Richard
I have always wondered what blogging was, and now I have a little insight into it.
Hopefully you can guide me through blogging as i think I want to set up a web blogging page.
Hope all is well and we are having great weather.
Love
Hilary
Peter Waterhouse commented
09 Apr 08 at 3:01 pmRichard
I am not sure that blogging has much to do with Shakespeare I feel that mine will have more to do with Victor Meldrew – I cannot beleeeve it!!
You have set out with Utopian views of technology – in contrast it looks more like Dystopia to me, but I am an Apple aficionado!
It will be interesting to see how we each develop the view of our worlds.
Peter
Louise williams commented
13 Apr 08 at 1:38 pmWe would just like to say Richard you have done a great
job in setting up our website, and we find your blog page
very very interesting and helpful.
You have taught me so much in a short time, keep up the
good work, I will continue to look at your blog to get hints and tips
it will help me out no end, thank you.
Louise Williams http://www.williamsheartfamily.co.uk
Richard commented
13 Apr 08 at 1:48 pmYou’re welcome Louise and thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you find the blog helpful. Hopefully I can maintain the momentum and keep finding useful things to talk about.