A personal reflection
I started blogging two years ago, 20six was not my first site, initially I went with Blogger but once I found 20six, Blogger became an extremely rare place I used to give vent to frustrations I didn't want to share with people I felt I had formed an association with. Now I find changes are in the air, and the air is due to hit me quite soon. I have to admit I'm concerned. I can use a computer, but it has to be simple. I have heard of HTML, but I have no idea what it is. At the top of this page there is a button that says ' remove HTML', I've never clicked on it, I don't know what might happen, I might not like what happens, and I might not be able to rectify the change it initiates. Other bloggers are talking about 'backing up', I do that in my car, I also do it when I'm nervous of something, it's not a concept I associate with my blog. I'm assuming it means saving my entries. How? Can I just save my entire blog to disc, if I try will it just save that page or the whole thing?
Assuming that I can understand the changes when they happen, and I can continue to blog, how many of the people I interact with will be left? This blog has become quite important to me, I have communications with so many varied people and through those appreciate many aspects of life away from my tunnel-visioned little world, there's MJ in Argentina, More Than in Australia, Nicola in Canada. Professionally it has been wonderful to follow people through their pregnancies, births, early days with baby, and then to still be involved when those babies become toddlers. I think it has also widened my perceptions of women's experiences during the whole pregnancy etc. cycle, and has certainly made me understand better the need for individualised care.
Personally I find blogging a huge relief, and I gain valuable support and advice from comments. When I started blogging I had just found out that I was to be a Grandmother for the first time, my emotions were all over the place, 20six gave me a place where I could let them out. Over these two years there have been many times when I was really down, problems at work, cats dying, house-fires but I always knew that I could set out the feelings I was having and receive good advice from fellow bloggers. It's lovely though as well to send out the good news, to use my computer megaphone to shout out to people how happy I am.
I'm going to be optimistic. Things will be okay. The last two years will not be a fond memory, it will carry on, it's got to, I really don't want to have to visit a shrink, blogging is far better therapy.
|
(8.1.06 11:24) A heartfelt entry with which I empathise with in many ways. I'm clueless about HTML as well. Your last paragraph will become my daily mantra ! |
|
(8.1.06 13:22) MM, backing up your blog can be a real pain. I tried with mine and I still can't figure out what I've managed to save! (And, between you and me, I consider myself rather computer-savvy... I even know HTML!!) There is software (called WinHTTrack)that you can download for free and you tell it your blog address (http://www.20six...) and it'll start saving it to your computer harddrive. The problem for me was that it started saving links as well, meaning that it started backing up everyone's blogs! All of 20six! By the time I'd checked on it, a little while later, I'd downloaded over 300Mb of data! No good. So I'm kinda stuck too. I've fiddled with the settings for said software and I can't figure it out. If anyone else out there has a good idea, we'd love to hear it. Then again, maybe we're panicking for nothing. I understand that we'll lose our layouts and the options to upload pictures. Hopefully, we won't lose any blogs. I mean, in theory, we shouldn't... |
|
(8.1.06 13:22) PS Minks has gone quiet. I wonder... |
|
(8.1.06 13:35) What a wonderful entry, and I have exactly the same feelings and thoughts. I canīt handle html either, and I have backed up my entries manually, first the monthly archives, with all the entries (but not the comments) and then the entries + comments. It got so tiring that I saved the entries with the most interesting comments. But I think the entries are safe, I donīt know what I will find when I begin to search for comments. Have you seen the new link in one of my entries? a lot of 20sixers are moving there: http://concernedof20six.publish21.com Go there, take a look, this is becoming massive emigration =) Again, wonderful entry =) |
|
(8.1.06 14:09) Flighty - At least we all seem to be in the same boat. Nicola - The good thing about your harddrive is that it will become the most amazing resourse, a mini web all of its own! I keep logging on to Minks as well......fingers crossed. MJ - What did you save them to? What command did you do? I have looked at the new site, but until 20 six goes, or changes beyond recognition, I'll stick here. I'm too lazy to keep multiple blogs going 
|
|
(8.1.06 15:51) here here, I don't think I could navigate another blog this one is just right. |
|
(8.1.06 16:24) I have tagged You |
|
(8.1.06 17:39) Princess - Right, um,um, this is going to take some thinking! |
|
(8.1.06 18:13) RELAX....breath, breath...ahhhhh. Better. A couple of things that have gone unmentioned and to which 20six support have not responded - you will, as far as I understand, still be able to use the old template builder style of laying out your blog. They need to clarify if this is the case (and I think it is). Secondly, one assumes that they will make a more comprehensive announcement along with instructions on how to transition from the old style 20six to the new one. I've had a look at the new software they are planning to use and it is VERY similar to the current one. I don't have a photoblog, a "friends list" or private comments so that problem does not affect me. Other than that the new software looks very very similar. When the time comes for them to announce the change is happening I'll help you back up your blog and design the pages for you again so that it either looks the same as it does now - or better. I can't do anything about other 20sixers leaving...I wish I could... :-( |
|
(8.1.06 18:32) IanB - My knight in shining armour has, once again, riden to the rescue of his dumb, old SIL. Thankyou. P.S, I love my blog layout, it couldn't look any better. |
|
(8.1.06 18:38) IanB - I've been over at 21publish a week and it's been no slower than 20six. I suspect most complaints are teething problems and unfamilarity. |
|
(8.1.06 20:20) mwm - You're not dumb - you're a bit old though.... :-) "it couldn't look any better..." [shuffles nervously] yes, you're right, it's perfect! Flightbuff - sorry - it's as slow as a dog each time I've been over to it - not a something I find with 20six. |
|
(8.1.06 21:53) Nic & MM - Minks and the new addition are now fine after a "bit" (understatement of the CENTURY) of drama. I'm leaving it to Jimi and Minks to post an announcement as she's still in hospital and things are far from back to normal - they need a bit of time to recover. Just rest assured she's being well looked after and everything is looking good. You can always email me if you want to pass on a message. J x x P.S. This one is going to blow your mind MM. |
|
(8.1.06 21:58) Jo!! You tease! Glad to hear that all is well with Minks and the new addition. Please pass on our best wishes. |
|
(8.1.06 22:04) I will, of course. x |
|
(8.1.06 22:49) JoJo - I've only just read this. I'm flitting from blog to blog chasing your entries! At least now I know that they are both fine. Have sent you an E-Mail. Love to all. |
|
(9.1.06 05:29) eeeek, i didn't know any of this till I read your blog, guess I'll jsut copy and paste everything to word jsut in case........bah how time consuming..... |
|
(10.1.06 17:02) To save your entries, you have two options, my options, perhaps someone comes up with a better one: you can save your monthly archives on your pc or a cd. Open each archive and save them on "my documents" or a cd. Note: comments wonīt be saved. This is what I have been doing since I started blogging. Second option, which is exhausting, but it will allow you to keep the comments.... SAVE EACH ENTRY INDIVIDUALLY...it is never ending, really. =( |
|
(11.1.06 14:58) MJ - Thanks, off I go |