OT- Websites

[Dennis Benson]

Paul,

I'm curious how you handle someone who schedules a time when you might be 
going in a totally different direction (part of the county) than they are 
in?

Dennis


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul McCloud" <pmc033 at earthlink.net>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:15 PM
Subject: Re: OT- Websites


> 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
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>