New Home - Similar Furniture
Sometimes we make mistakes, simple as that. One mistake people online often make is choosing the wrong domain name to start their website.
When choosing the domain name for a personal blog, it’s definately advisable to consider your own name, because unlike some other generic name, you can’t really get fed up with it. (Well, it’s like your name, so there’s not much you can do about it).
Almost ten months down the line, I’ve moved everthing here, and that’s it. Unless I can ever get my hands on ‘armen.com’, I’m here for the foreseeable future. I enjoy blogging for various reasons. It helps me to write, and is gradually (very gradually) developing my writing skills. It helps me to step back, and look at things I write about from a perspective I wouldn’t take time to approach otherwise.
It’s not about money or fame (obviously). It’s about serving and sharing.
If you’re visiting for the first time, welcome to this new phase. For those who have followed the old blog, there are some things you’ll notice that will be new:
Design - I like to try different designs; it’s too easy to become restricted by what feels comfortable, so I’ve went for a one column design, and simplified things. It’s a work in progress, so any issues please let me know.
Categories - I’ve narrowed these down to a more manageable number. I haven’t adopted tags (yet), but I may at some point. I’ve also worked hard to only have one category for each post.
Comments - You’ll notice some styling in the comments. This should help us all to track the conversation a little better. Visitor comments will alternate between white and stripes, and my comments will be in grey.
Flickr - At the time of writing, it’s not there yet, but I will be placing some of my favourite shots to flickr, and then you’ll see a little ‘flickr widget’ in the footer.
WordPress Themes - I’ve been talking and thinking about it for months, but I’ve finally put together a few themes for WordPress users, which you’ll find on the themes page.
Content - All the old content is here. The vast majority of these posts are personal, but in the future you can expect some posts for bloggers too. If you’re not into blogging, ignore them.
Love the new design, and the new domain. Not as easy for me to remember, but that’s what an RSS reader is for.
All the best with the success of your WP Themes!
Nath - Thanks! You’ll soon get on to the name, it’s not that difficult really; just ‘Thomas-s-ian’ (Two easy spelt names, Thomas with an extra ’s’ and then ian).
I’ve meant to put up the themes for ages. People might like them, or might not. It’s no skin off my nose either way.
Thanks, it worked. I returned here manually typing the domain!!
Well seeing as though you ignored my comments on the previous post, I’ll ask here.
Is this theme yours?
Also, I like that we can edit our comments, but is there any need for the dual email boxes? It is just a bit tedious for regular commenters as it does not ‘remember’ that spot.
Nath - See. It’s just the unfamiliarity that makes people think it’s difficult.
The design, images, and layout are mine. Some of the code (like the comments styling) I have adapted from other designs. Most of what I’ve learnt of CSS, HTML, and PHP has come from studying, and memorizing code that others have written. Brian Gardner’s coding has been particularly influential for me learning the little I know. I have a lot of respect for him too.
I’ll remove the second email box. That did come into my head, but I’m just trying to cut down on the spam. Thanks for being honest.
The graphic design for this design is exceptional. I particularly like the detail and shading in the background graphic.
Do you use Akismet? It is brilliant for spam. I did have Spam Karma 2 running along side it for a while but removed it as when it moderated comments it was affecting my ‘Recent Comments’ plugin.
Using a “Enter the letter K” like Challies Dot Com does, or what is 2+4 may help and be less annoying?
Nath - When I had in mind (a month or so ago) that I was definately going to move, I started working on a new design, just a little bit at a time. I was checking the CSS galleries frequently for ideas. It became graphic heavy, and when I was nearly finished I took a step back and thought, nope. It’s nice, but it’s not right. I then thought about a single column layout, and in no time I had most of the design put together. I just had one of those ’super productive’ periods where everything went smoothly. The most difficult part was incorporating the comment styling.
Yeah, I use Akismet and it would be an impossible task without it, but I’d like to cut it down even more. I might, as you suggest, use a ‘captcha’ plugin.
Nice move, Armen!
I’m liking your style here too, and a blog post about your new logo / mark would be interesting.
Does this mean a return to more of the blog posts of old? Or have your feelings towards blogging stayed the same? You obviously enjoy the coding side, having put together a range of WP themes - looking forward to seeing the previews!
David - Thank you David.
Yeah. Once I get the theme previews up, and then start working on driving some traffic, I’ll write about the logo.
As for articles with tips for other bloggers, etc, I’m going to go through some of my old posts and rewrite and republish them here. I’ll do that for starters, but you can expect fresh ideas in the future. Doing it here, I won’t feel pressurized to write 4-5 advice filled articles every week, I just don’t have that kind of time.
I thoroughly enjoy the coding, and at some stage I need to get my hands on a copy of CSS Mastery, and possibly something on PHP too.
I’ve also spent more time on the look of the typography of this design than I have done previously, although as I look now, I think I need some letter spacing on my comments to make them more legible.
Previews will be up within 24 hours, I have to head out now.
Great news, Armen, and you’re very welcome.
I’ve stopped publishing 4-5 articles per week too, instead writing 3 on average. On the positive side, more people get to see your most recent post, instead of it being pushed down the page after 24 hours.
Comment numbers are up as a result, and we all love some reader interraction.
Liking the new design, very clean looking and I think beter than the last.
Jus av to comment on the pic of you in the ‘about’ link. You’ve got the white t-shirt, the jeans, the signature, all you need now is a slogan like….BRUTT-FOR MEN !! Lol
Sorry, great pic though! Is there a meaning behind the logo’s at the top, like your initials or is it jus a pretty logo? Like it.
David - Thanks! Does your creative streak extend to appreciate web design?
Ha ha! I think A. Loughridge once commented on that photo too, saying that I looked like Ricky Martin or something. It was actually taken a couple of years ago in the grounds of a ruined chapel/graveyard in Cahir, Tipperary; not for Brutt!!
There is a meaning behind the logo, and I’ll be writing about it in the near future.
Oh yes, I can appreciate all good design, no matter what field it’s in.
Was talking to a client yesterday and your name came up. Strange really, as you said your photo wasn’t taken for that company. Still, at least you know that Brutt are interested in a deal.
lol…I’m lost on my own blog!! Too many David’s!
Hi boy!
I like the new design, very sleek and neat! You’ve come a long way since the original Armen’s Blog!! Definately a top notch design! Probably better than anything I could do at the minute!
Anyhow, all the best with the new blog/site! Must get a chat/send you an e-mail sometime!
Kyle
Kyle - Yeah, there have been a few changes I suppose
Although, I still love the header you made!
Yeah, I’ll hook up on MSN maybe a little later to see if I can catch you.
Oh…and don’t be so unnecessarily humble…