Mind Threads Web Design » Web Site Design

Web site snoop tool

Gene Mercer — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:31:24 +0000

This is a quick one.. Ever wonder what software that cool new web site you just found is running? Sometimes you can view the source code of the web page to get a clue, most of the time though this isn’t the case. This web site does some of the chores for you. It’s not perfect, but it does give you quite a bit.. Give it a try! It actually can detect some of the wordpress extensions and menu tools too!

http://builtwith.com

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Why Choose Wordpress?

Gene Mercer — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:30:52 +0000

Over the past 3-5 years I’ve tinkered with, installed, used, and promoted a couple of different CMS (Content Management Systems – or web site platforms). The funny thing is, I’ve come around to Wordpress more than once for my own site. Xoops was great, but it seemed it’s development has stalled. Drupal was super, but it seemed a little harder than most (I’m not a developer). Joomla was closer still, but seemed to be missing something, and at the time it was missing a couple of what I felt were critical modules.

So WHY do I keep coming back to Wordpress and suggest you try it too?

Anyone can publish content to the site with almost no experience. This includes uploading photos and now, even creating photo albums. You can even publish via email and phone. I tell people, ‘If you can use basic Microsoft Word, you can use Wordpress.”
It’s the #1 blog/CMS software on the internet and is free and open source. (This means it’s probably more secure, standards compliant, and better tested) This also means support is readily available at any time from any number of places.
Can you say ‘PUSH BUTTON UPGRADES!!’ The newest versions can update the blog software on your server, the plug-ins, and even themes via a few clicks.
It supports themes and plug-ins that can be installed with just a few clicks. (Your existing work will still be there!)
It’s Search Engine Optimized. Did you know Google is ‘Wordpress aware’?
It can automatically archive your post if used as a blog. (only displays the most current content)
Wordpress has the flexibility to be used as a static site, an E-Commerce site, a photo journal, almost any thing you can throw at it.

So far I’ve done a photo blog layout, a simple e-commerce site (with secure checkout via Pay-Pal), a ‘clone’ of another existing site (in function and very close to appearance as well – This was surprisingly easier than I first thought), and tinkered with more plug-ins than I can count. Tag clouds, local weather, e-commerce, news readers.. they are all available.
The other thing for me is speed. I can purchase a hosting package with a domain name in the morning, install Wordpress, add a nice flexible theme, add about 3-4 plug-ins and within 24 hours I can have a site that’s being indexed and linked via Google, Yahoo, and found by users on the net. I know, because I’ve personally done it. I don’t know of any other package out there that can give you this flexibly, so unless something drastic happens in the CMS world. I’ve got the feeling that this time I’m staying with Wordpress!

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Domain Renewal Group rip-off?

Gene Mercer — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:24:10 +0000

This is a little early in my postings, but since I received this in the mail today I wanted to go ahead and warn others. Since I am listed as the owner of a few domains and this information is public and easy enough to look up, there is a company out there that’s trying to take advantage of other less knowledgeable users. The company is:
Domain Renewal Group, 2316 Delaware Ave #256, Buffalo, NY 14216-2587.

They send you this nice letter telling you that your domains are going to expire soon and if you’d like to renew them you can send them your payment. That’s nice, and they will renew your domains as advertised (as far as I know). My problem with them is that in doing so, you are going to pay about double the going rate AND you’ll also be transferring the ‘rights’ over to them to manage your domain. So if you later let the domain go, it’s theirs to do what they want (not godaddy, yahoo, or whoever you used to have). What this means for them is they get to auction the site off or put anything they want on it after you loose or choose to let it go. What if you miss a payment? Who knows what they’ll charge you to get it back?

Maybe you don’t care? But at the very least, why pay double to renew your site. That extra would pay for another month of hosting at most places.
Oh and I just checked.. They rate an ‘F’ with the Better Business Bureau. Probably for the same reasons I’ve mentioned above.

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What’s New!

Gene Mercer — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:52:29 +0000

Today I’m opening up (yet again) another version/design of Mind-Threads.com. Like the internet and life in general, some things change, get better, and easier every day. So once again I’m back to using WordPress as the foundation of my site. I have over the years used Xoops, WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.

The reason for the change was mainly due to Wordpresses new update system and it’s very, very, large selection of plug-ins and themes. While all of the above CMS/Blog software have some form of this, none is as currently active as WordPress. So with that, I’m back on board and have a little something different in mind for the site that I’ve really wanted to do.

My goal with this version of the site is to try and encompass everything I want to discuss or do. That is a VERY tall order and will likely take several months to accomplish even the basics. So please hang on, check back often and hopefully I’ll run across something that interest you personally. If I do: Please comment, email, or call and ask me. I’d love to expand or help you in any way I can. I want to help you and encourage you. If it’s nothing more than helping you find a local businesses phone number in my business directory I’d love to know I’ve helped you in some small way.

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the adventure with me.
Gene

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