Sweet Success!
One of my goals for 2015 was improving
my web page. So far, I am happy with the progress I am making
towards that goal.
There have been a number of behind the
scenes changes (and more to come) I have linking my Google
accounts.. So that
Oftroys Golden Apples, (web page) is perfectly
linked with
Golden Apples(blog), and with
Oftroy's YouTube Channel, and with
and my G+ page and all these link up nicely with my
Golden ApplesFaceBook page. The idea is to have seamless link up—making
information sharing between them easier, and to help establish my
“brand”.
Also going on behind the scenes were
the creation of NEW shorter URLs. The length of a URL doesn't matter
much if you are already on the internet—it's easy to make
click-able links. But sharing in person? Short and snappy are good
attributes. My new names aren't that short—but they are short
enough for me to remember—and take up half a line, not a line and
half on my business cards—So definitely a big improvement! I've
upgrading each of the Google accounts, too, to make them mobile phone
ready, too. I am definitely proud of the fact my web page shows up on
Page 1 of a search. OK not if you just Google Helen Griffin (there
is a famous UK actress who heads the list) but these improvements
help (try helen griffin + knitting, or golden apple knitting.)
There have also been some hardware
changes going on that have nothing to do with the software, but they
are time consuming, too I really wish “Plug and Play” didn't
always involve rerouting wires, and yet another transformer
I have upgraded my power strips twice,
(in the past 10 years) but I think I need a new upgrade (again!) I
want might also want a sets of short extension cords, that allows
you to plug bulky transformers into them, and then plug simple
standard plugs into the power strips. I think a 10 or 12 inch
extension cords would be better—then all the transformers can be
hidden out of sight, under that desk! I might make a trip to Home
Depot and spend a small fortune on parts (sockets and receptacles)
and make exactly what I want.
The next power strip is going to be one
with 2 USB power ports—some things require 1 amp, others 1.5
amps—because that will really be useful. As it right now, I have
one power stripe piggy backed into another—(transformer plugs are bulky and often blog sockets!) Both are rated for 20
amps (as is the circuit) and I have fewer than 10 amp combined on the
two of them. So I am not overly worried about overpowering the
circuit—but in neater organization. A saving grace is labels—every
transformer and plug is labeled—So I always know what is what. It
really is a smart move to label the cords (both ends sometimes!)
A few years ago, I added portholes to
the desk top, to make it easier to route wires out of sight—That
helped—but not enough! Oh Tesla, give me a wireless world! Where
my phone is connect to my computer the same way my printer is, SANS
Wires!
Getting back to software changes, some of the upfront changes I have been
making are new indexes, on major pages. Breaking a long page like
the List of Cast Ons, into several sub groups (single yarn cast on,
double yarn cast ons, et al). No more scrolling the whole way down a
long page to get to “Cast Ons good for ribbing”--now you can
click on an Index list, jump to the section you want, and jump back
to the Index list.
I have also been working on improving
and refining style—making sure each tutorial page has forward and
backward links—and that each page has the same style and lay out.
Fine details, but nice ones. There are still more changes to be
made—But I have made a good start, to better organization and a
more uniform layout—both of which will make navigating the web site
easier. Plus I have been editing out the typo's. There are always typo's!
I have been making and posting links to
new videos, too. I've made 10 new videos so far this year. There are
still some cast on methods that are listed and don't have a video
(neither one of mine, or one from another source.) Each month though,
there fewer. My goal was at least one new video each month, and I
have exceeded my goal. I really needed to do this--since the list
of cast on methods keeps growing!
It a Red Queen problem—(from Alice in
Wonderland) –At one point, (when Alice and the Red Queen are
caught on the chess board) the Red Queen keeps telling Alice to run
faster and faster—Alice complains, she is running fast, but they
don't seen to be getting anywhere. They are stuck in the same place.
The Red Queen tell Alice, "You must run as fast as you can, just to
stay in the same place and even faster than that to make progress!" Isn't that the truth? With out constant work, you lose your place,
and getting ahead? Faster than you think you can run!
The newest video, is not even a new
cast on, just a new version of a cast on that has several videos
already! It's the Double Chain (aka the Chinese Waitress) cast on—A
cast on that has (now) 5 different methods of construction.
Yes, after doing this for years, (the
list started back in 2009 on my blog, and moved to web page in 2011)
I am still learning about new and different ways to cast on in
knitting! I remember when I thought it was complete—at 35 methods.
I've stopped counting now—but, at last count back in February, it
was over 60 items on the list.
Later this year, I will be making some
videos for existing tutorials—the other ones, besides the Cast
on (and bind off, and selvage) tutorials. And I will be adding some
new tutorials. I want my web page to be a full service Knitting
site, not just one for cast ons, bind offs, and selvages—even if
that is what it is most famous for.
I am determined to learn how to
podcast—and do one a month, too—That might not start till next
year...but soon. That will require yet another upgrade to the
hardware! I don't have a headset/microphone combo (and my new
computer doesn't have a place to just plug in microphone—that I do
have.) It does have a built in mike and web cam, but I think I will
be better off with an external mike.
Finally after several
months of a lack of interest, I am knitting again, too.
I would show you the progress i've made
with the Blue Beaded socks--with a random scattering of beads just
below the cuff –and all the beading done, and a few rounds of
stocking knit—but the batteries in my camera are dead—and I need
to purchase more! Another case of , Running running running—as
fast as I can just to stay in place!