OT- Websites

[Dennis Benson]

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
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>
>
>