OT- Websites

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Dennis:
	Yes, there is limitation when you have drag and drop menus.  One complaint
is that it doesn't load all at once, but one thing at a time, or at least
that's what I understand.  The customer service I've gotten, though, was
very prompt.  Unfortunately, there's no "manual" but only video tutorials
to watch.  Some of the features I have no idea what they do.  You guys are
like engineers, compared to people like me who are "shade tree mechanics". 
Turn a few screws, make it work.  I can usually tell when someone has tried
to "home brew" the website.  Like mine.  Others are so innovative that I
have to ask, "Why?".  There really has to be a strong purpose behind having
a website.  Maybe you're selling something.  Maybe you just want to be
seen, to make an impression.  Maybe you want to provide information, to
educate, put forth your opinion, whatever it may be.  If something doesn't
further your purpose, I don't see the point.  Entertainment?  Perhaps.  If
I find my purpose isn't served, I'll do something else, or find another
way.  I've done okay without a website, for many years, but now that I find
a real need (to link to my scheduling service) I have a way to get it done.
Could I have done it using FrontPage.  Yes.  That's what Brad Smith used to
make his site.  I was going to do what he did, until I found this.  
	I stand in awe of good designers.  Form and Function.  Beauty and Science.
My hat is off to you.
	Thanks for your comments.
	Paul


> [Original Message]
> From: Dennis Benson <dennis at dennisbenson.com>
> To: <sarah at graphic-fusion.com>; Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 01/27/2008 6:29:29 PM
> Subject: Re: OT- Websites
>
> Paul,
>
> I've seen some poor reviews of BlueVoda as far as customer service and 
> difficulty in creating a customized look.
>
> If you really want a FREE web site (hosting and all) use Google Pages. A 
> good free designing program is Komposer which is a WYSIWYG open source 
> program.
>
> I am also a web designer as well as registered piano technician and agree 
> with Sarah that a good web site designer has a wealth of knowledge to
help 
> create an attractive and functional site.
>
> Dennis Benson
> www.dennisbenson.com
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <sarah at graphic-fusion.com>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 6:22 PM
> Subject: RE: OT- Websites
>
>
> > Hi Paul,
> >
> > Congragulations on your website.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to view
it,
> > as it is blocked by Trend Micro (see below sig).  I could override the
> > block, of course, but I didn't.  I just thought I'd give you the heads
up.
> >
> > You can also edit web pages with Microsoft Word, which most of you 
> > probably
> > already have.
> >
> > For all it's worth, a good professional web designer has a wealth of
> > experience to handle matters like this, to program special
functionality,
> > to create sophisticated graphic designs, to maximize search rankings,
and
> > to organize a site for future expansion.  We web designers/programmers
are
> > a bit like piano technicians.  A piano may appear to be a simple 
> > mechanical
> > device, and most people with any general mechanical competence might be
> > able to "fix" what's broken and even to tune the piano with a little
Korg
> > tuning meter, but that doesn't mean they'll do a very good job.  A
> > professional piano technician knows a trick or two from decades of
> > experience and from total immersion in the field.  Sometimes it's worth
a
> > bit of outlay to benefit from those decades of experience and to have
the
> > job done right.
> >
> > As can obviously be deduced from what I've written, I am a professional 
> > web
> > designer, graphic artist, and photographer.  If anyone is interested,
I've
> > been programming since 1976, and I've lost count of the number of 
> > languages
> > I've learned, known, forgotten, etc.  I'm proficient in HTML (obviously)
> > and JavaScript.  I've been doing photography since the age of 6,
darkroom
> > work since the age of 11, and digital photoediting since 1996.  My rate
is
> > $100/hr for photographic, graphic, or programming/design work, if
anyone 
> > is
> > interested.  I'm just tossing out my information as what I hope is an
> > attractive alternative to the free/DIY BlueVoda.  As with work on the
> > piano, you usually get what you pay for.  I think I produce some pretty
> > good results.  Besides that, I am a web designer who knows something of
> > pianos, which I think is an interesting niche qualification.
> >
> > Peace,
> > Sarah
> >
> > PS I hope this doesn't come across as a "pissy" posting, as it's not
> > intended as such.  Imagine yourself in a situation in which you are
trying
> > to defend why it's good to hire a professional to tune the family piano,
> > and I think you'll understand both my tone and my motives.
> >
> > Here is the Trend Micro message:
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Blocked by Trend Micro
> >  Trend Micro Internet Security Pro has identified this Web page as
> > undesirable.
> >
> >
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ----
> >
> >  Address:
> >
http://www.mail2web.com/cgi-bin/redir.asp?lid=0&newsite=http://www.pianoserv
> > sd.com
> >
> >
> > If you still want to see this blocked page:
> > Click the Windows Start button and launch Trend Micro Internet Security 
> > Pro
> > from the list under All Programs.
> >
> >
> > Click Internet & Email Controls.
> >
> >
> > Click the Settings... button under Parental Controls or Protection
Against
> > Web Threats.
> >
> >
> > Click the List of Approved Web Sites link in the next window that opens.
> >
> >
> > Copy and paste the address of the blocked Web site into the list.
> >
> >
> >  Note: If you think that Trend Micro Internet Security Pro should not
> > block this Web page, please notify Trend Micro by clicking this button:
> >
> >
> >
> >
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ----
> >
> > Copyright © 1995-2007 Trend Micro Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi, All:
> >    For those of you that don't have a website, or would like to take
> > control of your own, I have found a very good alternative to:
> >    a) paying someone hundreds of dollars to make one for you;
> >    b) buying expensive software and spending countless hours learning
how
> > to do it; and
> >    c) going to some website and downloading a ready-made template that
> > looks like every other template-made cheapo website.
> >    It's called BlueVoda.  The software is free, and you can create any
> > effect you want, just like to "big boys".  You can insert any images,
> > links, special effects, whatever into your web pages.
> >    I have an online scheduling service ( www.appointmentquest.com ) my
> > site links seamlessly to.  Actually, I created  my website specifically
to
> > use this online scheduling service.  (Thanks to Brad Smith for the
> > heads-up!  www.smithpiano.com  ).
> >    Ok, so my first attempt (see my site below) is nothing to rave about.
> > But it cost me zip- and I can do anything I want with it.  Not only do
you
> > get the software for free, but there are literally thousands of people
who
> > can help you via the forums on the BlueVoda site. There are many video
> > tutorials available, and tons of support.  VERY cool.
> >    Click on the link below.
> >    Just thought I'd pass along a good thing.
> >
> >    Paul McCloud
> >    San Diego
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Paul McCloud
> > pmc033 at earthlink.net
> > www.pianoservsd.com
> > Created with free BlueVoda software:
> > http://www.vodahost.com/partner/idevaffiliate.php?id=9223_1_3_9
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and
application
> > hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting
> >
> >
> >
> > 
>