OpenSource Content Management...it's a wonderful thing

Ahhhh OpenSource. It makes me smile :)

Now I don't use it for my Ring Guard site, because I like to keep it html simple (it works for me), but OpenSource is great for promoting business (or yourself) to the masses.

OpenSource is pretty much a nice bundle of PHP programming wrapped up with a nice red bow. Just like a BIG Christmas gift to the layman with a website.

A bunch of really nice people, who enjoy doing php programming for fun (errrrr - wow) all got together and worked on providing this gift as if they were little elves working for Santa (or builders with Homes for Humanity) . You gotta love them just for that alone!

How does one use OpenSource?

OH MY GOSH it's so easy you're going to love it.

1. Go to an OpenSource website - my personal favorite is Joomla. Check out what templates they have, do they offer what is important to you? Blog templates? Contact forms? Available feeds...whatever you want.

2. If the available layouts fit your needs, then download the latest version. Make sure your host is PHP compatible. I know mine is BecoTech.

3. Unzip what you downloaded and upload it all to your server. If you can create a database in mysql do it (or ask your host to and have them send you the path, username and password)

4. Go through the online set up (step by step in your browser once uploaded).

5. Set the config file (it'll even give you the code, just save it as the file to upload)

6. Delete the setup file from the server and then log into the Content Management interface and start creating the content for your site! Ta Da! Done

7. If you don't want to customize it (or are a bit shy to try) then you can pay someone. I recently customized this Heir Locator site - now we just have to move the new domain to it (heirtrace.com) and they can start creating new menu items and content themselves.

OpenSource....I love it!


:)

I hate when my site is down

Really! I hate it! I really really hate it.

I sit there and wonder. How long has it been down? When it will return? Where does it go? Should I panic? Why are my toes cold (easily distracted i know)?

Am I addicted to my website? Do I depend on it too much...This is bad. I flash back to 16 yrs old sitting in my room by the phone - picking it up every 2 minutes to be sure it's still working.

Maybe my site will be back soon. We all need to have hope. Hope has helped me through past "Page Load Error" times.

Sometimes all you can do is go watch a bear mauling on the discovery channel.

*reloads my site page one more time*



[ Ok, In the time it took me to: take that screen shot, crop it, size it, and upload it to blogger - my site came back up!! YAY!! See! All it takes is a bit of Hope and something to occupy your mind.]

:)

The Importance of a good Website Host.

I was reminded today of the importance of a good host. For the small online business nothing is more important then the relationship you have with your host. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I know the person to email/call for hosting help by name?
2. Do they respond by email/phone quickly when there is an issue?
3. Will they offer to help set you up or show you how to utilize some resources?
4. Did they send you a Christmas card/email/gift to show their appreciation of your business?
5. Do they call you with any payment issues BEFORE taking you offline?
6. Do they treat you more as a friend then an account number?
7. Can you trust them to provide excellent service to referrals?

I can answer YES to all these questions and more with becotech.com (Thank you Ilya for your continued help and expertize). No I was not paid to post this. I just wanted to spread the news about a great hosting company with the personal touch. They have a lot of accounts that are worth more than mine yet they take the time to help with any issue and always treat you like their #1 client.