An update, and a call for tech advice

[feldman]

Fairy Grandmother is settling into her new digs, close to her home though she won't live there again. Aside from the sprained ankle and pneumonia (getting better) and the memory issues (getting worse), she's in good health and spirits. The nursing home staff seem good, not simply cheerful but also keen on asking for and remembering details of Grandma as a person. Time will tell. But she's eating well, which is the biggest concern we've had about her in an institutional setting, and once she's more mobile and cleared by the docs we can sign her out and not just visit her there.

~*~

Cmonkey went to her first movie, which was a smashing success even though she didn't like wearing the 3-D glasses.

Ticket Booth Person: Which movie?
Mr. F (jostles Cmonkey on his hip): Guess!
TBP: Bob the Builder!
Mr. F (puzzled and mildly offended): Um, no. Coraline.

~*~

I'm considering registering a domain or two, and putting up an online portfolio for at least myself, and my brother as well if I can get him onboard (password protected, with log-ins on our resumes).

The second domain would hold a website based on my renaissance-person delusions of grandeur (and likely yet another Bruce Wayne identity).

Because if you can't build a shrine to your interests on the net, where else would it possibly go? If only to help me keep track, and keep me focused on the *journey* of these passions instead of all the time obsessing over goals.

In other words, it's spring and I'm craving a puzzle-challenge. I've done fannish approximations of these things before, and I miss it, the drive to understand a tech in order to create with it. Between replacing the battery and firmware in my soviet ipod, and putting together a 'workspace on a stick' on this USB, I'm getting cocky in my ability to learn by doing--or at least, following instructions and figuring it out along the way. Less 'learn by doing' and more 'learn by playing and breaking and fixing'.

Anyhoo, I have these Big Ideas of learning XHTML and CSS, not to mention working with a hosting provider and figuring out FTP and all that jazz. It's daunting. But very intriguing, because I want to do more than I can fit into the format of just a wordpress account.

I'm currently looking at Name Cheap for domain registry and A Small Orange for hosting--anyone have an experience or review they'd like to share? Or a recommendation for books for newbies looking to learn how to bake a website from scratch?

Comments

[scapeartist.livejournal.com]

I wished we lived near each other...we could be dangerous together. But in a good way! I just had my coaching session and more big decisions were made and I am feeling pretty good. But like you...renaissancean. New journeys lay ahead and I just want to get my ruck packed and get going.

I have only ever used Powweb (http://www.powweb.com/powweb/index.bml). It's easy and I've never ever had a problem with them. And right now, they are stupid cheap for a year of lots of space plus some really awesome perks. URL registration can be part of the whole thing too. As for books, when I was teaching myself html way back when, I used Quick Start guides. For people who don't have a ton of time to slog through the fat books, they are affordable and easy. At least to me they were (are). You know if you want any help or (mis)guidance, I'm happy to share the good and the bad. :)

I hope things continue to go well for Fairy Grandmother. Don't forget to ask stuff before it's way too late. One of my favorite topics with my grandfather is what he used to wear when he was a young stud. Zoot suit baby! Heeee!

Yay for C-Monkey's movie! We took Monkeyboy to see Ratatouille when it came out but it did not go well. He was having too much fun and pissed off the people in front of us who made the mistake of going to a kids matinee without kids. *sigh* He's very interactive with his watching. *shrugs*

Good luck all around. Like I said, if you need something, I'm an email away.

[rubberneck.livejournal.com]

Dang. R. Us. 8 )

Ooo...Powweb looks like a winner with the freebies alone, and the rates look pretty standard once the special offer plays out. Excellent suggestion.

I'll take a look at the Quick Starts--I have an HTML For Dummies but never got past the occasional reference stage of it.

Fairy Grandmother is now interested in sorting things out, getting it all ready, and Having Conversations she'd been too busy to bother with before. We're investigating green burial options for her, to pre-pay before all her funds go to her care.

Which reminds me to dig out the microphone and see if still works with the soviet ipod.

Cmonkey has taken a step in her movie-watching since Coraline, reacting emotionally to scenes that beforehand didn't reach her where she lived. So we're reinforcing the storytelling aspect of film. Because when you've (mostly) mastered the potty, the next steps are inevitably film critique and breaking the fourth wall.

Yes! Pack the bag! Put the tools to use!

[fbf.livejournal.com]

*huggles you and curls up in your lap*

[rubberneck.livejournal.com]

*snuggles you*