A few bloggy bits
I took the plunge to upgrade to Wordpress 2.3.1 today, and it seems to have gone smoothly. I’m not sure if I will use the new tag support, but don’t be surprised to see me try them out for a while (when I remember).
I’ve also added a simple captcha to the comments, since spam seems to have been going mad recently. I hope it wont discourage you from commenting, and if it doesn’t have any significant impact on the spam, then I’ll get rid of it again.
I also thought I’d take the opportunity of this change to go for a makeover at the same time. Oh well, at least I don’t change themes as much as Jim. (Or, indeed, titles.) The photo in the header shows the coastline of the Sea of Galilee, looking from Tiberias. The road to Migdal (which may or may not be the biblical Magdala) is to the left of the photo.
I’m also considering a couple of new blogs, both of which will be more occasional than this one. If you have the patience to comment about their potential usefulness or viability, I’d appreciate it.
- The first is that I find a lot of people producing newsletters, and in churches service booklets, who are really struggling with basic design questions, and with how to use their software. Given the number of questions I answer for friends, colleagues and acquaintances, I’m seriously considering putting a mix of tips and tutorials up. This would be very much along the line of one amateur helping another, but at least an amateur whose picked up quite a bit of useful info along the way.
- Sometime after Easter I’ll be needing to replace my computer. I think it’s at least possible that I’ll consider a Mac this time round. I always take ages to make my buying decisions about this sort of thing. I’m considering whether to blog my thought-processes, and, if I do end up with a Mac, the whole switching experience.
I could do both of those things here, since the posts wouldn’t be that frequent (I think) but I’m wondering if there are advantages in spinning them off into separate blogs. Any advice?
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:22 am
I’ll ignore the mean comment about theme changes (I like different looks- surely you don’t wear the same clothes every single day of your life!) and remark instead that - yes- to the first, and a resounding no- to the second.
Finally- why multiply blogs? Seriously, the more narrow your postings the less read they will be. Certainly specific sorts of things have their place- but if you are always examining the entrails of the gnat after a while no one will care.
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:04 am
I wouldn’t start new blogs for those things. I’d suggest that you just create new categories on this one and post accordingly. You never know, there might be some bibliobloggers that find those tips useful or are wrestling with getting a MAC (which consequently, contra the commercials, are NOT cooler!).
December 2nd, 2007 at 8:38 am
I’ve often thought about separate blogs, but always decided against it. It doesn’t sound like this blog would be overwhelmed by the new material, and I for one would be interested in reading both of those topics.
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Doug, I really like the new look here - I’ve been thinking myself about whether to do a custom install of WP or stay with the free service. This is much more attractive than the free Connections theme - well done!
I would definitely vote on the side of keeping posts on one blog. I’ve fractured myself over multiple blogs and it’s really quite a mess to keep track of, never mind attract an audience.
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Thanks. all for this advice. I shall act on your wisdom.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Jim, I think High Church vicars like Doug do wear the same clothes, or at least identical clothes, every day, except for the outer vestments which vary with the church season. Is that right, Doug? Well, maybe you relax in something other than the dog collar!
December 4th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Actually, Peter (and what a blizzard of comments you’ve buried me in tonight!) I only wear a clerical collar on appropriate occasions e.g. visiting hospitals, homes of people I don’t know (e.g. in preparation for funerals) and on various more formal occasions. You stereotyper!
December 4th, 2007 at 12:50 am
You SHOULD go with a Mac.
It costs a lot more, but if you spend a significant amount of time on your computer, it would be fully worth the extra expense.
The programs that come with it (photo and video-editing software) are worth the price of admission alone. And if you compare Keynote (a £55 expense - that includes a much better word processor than Word) with Powerpoint, it’s like comparing a Kia with a BMW.
It will take some time to “switch” your brain, but after a few months, you will never look back.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:55 am
Thanks, Paul. Keynote is one of several programs that point me in a Mac direction. When I start seriously planning the purchase, I’ll post more fully on pluses and minuses as I see them, and I hope you’ll look in and comment. But one of the big turn-offs of a Mac is the sense I might be joining a cult!
I’ve always been wary of cults.