That’s Too Much Information!; Photo
That’s Too Much Information!; Photo. More Ascender’s Photos.
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Knowledge is of two kinds: we know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.
(Samuel Johnson wrote the first comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language in 1746. He rented 17 Gough Square and with the help of his six amanuenses compiled the Dictionary in the garret. It was published in 1755.)
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I broke my blog and tried to fix it. That is one way to explain the last two weeks.
My intention was to “just” add a plug-in so I could create a table within a post. I downloaded/uploaded the plug-in… nothing. So, then I realized that I needed the updated Wordpress 2.7.1. I didn’t want that. Regardless of the fact that I had heard there would be an “easy install” after making the upgrade, I still did not want to do it. I always mess up those upgrades and there is no going back.
I am notorious for breaking my blog. In fact I always break my blog when I upgrade it.
But I wanted ‘that’ ability to put table in a post and I took the plunge. I downloaded, then uploaded. History repeats itself.
Now, rather then wishing to create a table in a page on my blog – my time is filled with looking for someone who knows how to fix my mess.
An artist needs a blog these days. Many artists use two. I had just started another one on blogger to act as a store.
Where do you go when you break your blog? I researched the web. I hung around the Wordpress forum researching my problem – certainly I was not the first? I started taking advice. I started taking everyone’s advice. Take it from me; when you take everyone’s advice you dig a deeper hole for yourself.
You know how we artists are… we break the rules and try to create shortcuts for ourselves and end up where we should not be.
As the days started adding up and it seemed to be taking more and more time I thought “Do I need a blog?” “Do I need to be an artist?” Perhaps I should feng shui the place and get rid of all my art materials; get out of the art field. I thought of career choices. For some reason I thought of becoming an authority on drinks made of rum… and I don’t even drink. That is how frustrated I was becoming.
That is when I turned to Miraz Jordan. Miraz wrote the book on Wordpress – literally. Turning it over to a professional and I was on the mend within days. It wasn’t easy. Miraz lives over in Wellington NZ, aka down under the down under. There was a timing issue. I was just conking out at the end of the day when she was having lunch but we worked out a system which translated boundaries. She was able to translate my questions into the correct terms and direct me to where I needed to go. In addition to having the ability to stay on task, she give me baby steps to accomplish for that day: such as ftp software today, backing up the old wordpress tomorrow, downloading the new wordpress, detailing the order in which to upload them to the server.
Miraz no longer creates websites but she is available for writing text. Presently she works as a freelancer and contractor for small and large businesses, publishers, government departments and community organizations. No job is too small and she can help with as little as a single page, but also takes on large projects such as overhauling a comprehensive website.
She writes her own blog KnowIT, free weekly MacTips, monthly Panui Tips, and is one of the authors of WordPress 2 Visual QuickStart Guide. She was involved with Webstock 06 and 08, Macguide magazine (no longer being published), and wrote for and managed Webguide until December 2008.
Her portfolio details can be seen at www.firstbite.co.nz
Now; here I sit. My fancy rotating header (with the error) is gone; though suddenly I am at peace with this default one. I have upgraded to 2.7.1; and no longer crying when I heard that 2.8 is just around the corner. I may not touch anything ever again. I may just sit here and look at it. Maybe I won’t give away my paint brushes yet.
I’m glad to see you’re up and running again. I know how frustrating this stuff can be. Although I just use blogger, I have had to deal with web sites for work so I’ve pulled my hair out more than once. I liked the way you sprinkled this post with your wonderful photography and ended with your wonderful art.
I laughed and grimaced in sympathy as I read this. This was every upgrade I ever did. I became so angry with Movable Type during the last upgrade (I lost 4 years of archived blog entries!) that I switched to Wordpress. Well, I didn’t lose all of the archives. But all the links are broken. I haven’t had time to repair them, though I think I’ll do it this summer. My point being… I feel your pain.
A Wordpress upgrade you say? Yes, I think I did read something about that. I’m not in any hurry to do it, though!
hey!!! you’re back!! yay! thanks for peeking at my store! i missed your blog…
jean
Why do computer programs have to be so difficult ~ with a language all their own ~ how fortunate were you to find Miraz!
Keep those paint brushes ~ Life without them would truly be miserable.
cheers to a successful week.
oh what a tale!!! but, so happy that you made back AND that you decided to keep on keeping on!
Yay for Miraz….there is always a way out and back I think
And you are up! Glad you survived. Love the painting at the bottom. Can’t wait to see more of those!
carver; oh me too – what a relief! I learned it all from you, you know.
arvis; or I remember when i moved from blogger to wordpress – I too lost all my links and had to repair them. I ended up eliminating a lot of the early posts and then on the others I would put on my calendar to repair 10 per day. That way I could walk away from the blog without feeling like i would give up. I think I am going to let everyone else update first and then learn from the mistakes.:)
jean; i forgot how I had filled a day prior to the loss of the blog!
cathie; yes! and a language that does not even make sense! Thanks for your support.
stephanie; not much future in rum drinks either. woot miraz!
leora; yes – phew – thanks for your support! finishing this piece off and then beginning to prepare for an art festival for august.
I was wondering! I actually think in some ways having a computer, and being able to navigate it/use it, is becoming more important than a car in today’s world.
I think you might be right Deb; I cut back on my use of the car and have been connecting more with others on the net. I know I spend more time with my computer then I do my tv. I am reading more (off the net) then I have in a long time. One or two books a week. Plus a car is a hassle; where is a computer – when working is a vacation from the stresses. Lets hope that the net doesnt go bankrupt; thanks goodness we have kept big brother from qualming on to it.
You must never give away your paint brushes or your art. Your art is astounding!
I alternated between empathising with you over the broken blog and smiling over your way of telling your story. I’m glad you found a useful kiwi
do not give the brushes away ~i am not a computer person BUT i have “broken” my poor blogger a time or two..LOVE the “store” and your photos on this post…
I repeat…do not give them away!
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elk
Di; It took me awhile to understand your “useful kiwi” Ha! Well – today I am just rearranging them!
elk; thanks for your encouragement; I am really getting the yearning for a table on my blog page again and am going to attempt to install the plug in this weekend. Stand back…