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“You have to eat your own dogfood” goes the saying in software.
Have you ever heard that before? The meaning is simple: use the software you build. It’s sort of like “practice what you preach,” and as usual, both are easier said than done.
What it means around Website In A Weekend is that we’re way overdue for some serious blog maintenance. This includes WordPress and plugin updating, a fair bit of blog post engineering, some site rearranging, theme upgrading and tweaking, etc. Nothing difficult, everything time consuming. And every bit of it stuff I advocate you do as well. So, dogfood.
And I’ll jump right on it… after I get back from Burning Man.
I’ll be gone about a week. I had planned to turn the blog over to someone for maintenance and upkeep while away, but I decided to reduce everyone’s stress and just take a break.
I’ll be back the week of September 6.
On Thursday, September 9, 2010, I’m hosting 2 free, hour long Skype sessions on blog post engineering. The first is at 1:00 pm Pacific time, the second is at 6:00 pm Pacific time.
Agenda:
- Q&A: If you own Blog Post Engineering, feel free to ask about anything you find unclear. If you don’t own Blog Post Engineering, this is a great chance to find whether it’s right for you (and it may not be).
- Human interest: Does your blog have a narrative arc? If so, can you explain or describe the story line? If not, why not? We’ll be putting Website In A Weekend under the microscope as well as your blog. Dogfood, right?
I’m limiting the attendance to 4 people for each session. Please leave a comment for the session you’re interested in attending.
Alrighty, then, off to burn a man.
Dave:
Since I am not entirely through BPE yet it may be premature for me to attend. However, I would love to know if you do a session in the future. I know I have questions, they are just not all gathered together yet.
@mmangen
Michelle Mangen´s last post ..Are You Treating Your Blog Like This
Nonsense.
This will help you understand what you’re reading, & help me explain things better.
Pick a time, you’re in.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Building from Nothing- not Building from 5-000
I’ll be there~put me down for 1 pm slot!
Dave…if you’ll put me down as half a person, and expand the limit for the late session to 4.5 instead of 4, count me in. In other words, I want to but cannot absolutely commit and don’t want to lock up a spot then not be able to do it and will have kept someone out.
Bob Hayles´s last post ..How to set up a yurt kit- part 2
I’ll be sending a reminder on Sept 6. If there are spots left, commit (or not) then.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..How to be a six-brained blogger
Have fun out there at the S.T. camp!
We’ll be looking for you next year.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Be Consistent to Write Better
Mmm…Burning Man! Enjoy your time off, Dave!
I will. I need it. I haven’t been writing hardly at all here on WiaW, but I have been crushed doing other things.
Next week, it’s all about the bounce. See you the week after!
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Automatic Social Media Exposure – Blog Better with a Virtual Assistant- Tip 4
No cultural posting or photos?
Ralph´s last post ..Want a successful retirement plan- Stay positive
I’ll put some links in Marcy’s reply.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..5 Tips for Social Media Efficiency
Hi, Dave!
Being the staccato and tangential learner that I am, I’d get a lot out of a bit of time hearing the words directly from the master! (I’ll keep distracting comments about big black boots and other such topics for another conversation. I promise)
1:00 is probably better for me, but I can work with either time, so fit me in wherever I’ll fit – if you’re willing to risk it.
Hugs and butterflies,
~Teresa~
Teresa Deak´s last post ..This moment- Filled with all we need
You’re in!
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Building Your Blogging Skill Set outsourcing isn’t everything
Have a fantastic time! I’d love to attend the 1 pm session. I’m almost through BPE and am ready to tackle this stuff…
Elle B´s last post ..Later Bloomers who like a cold wet wakeup call
You’re in! 1pm is filled.
I’ll send a reminder email on Sept. 6.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..5 Tips for Social Media Efficiency
I would like to participate Dave,
either time could be OK for me as long
as I know which to plan for.
I hope you get all you want out of Burning Man!
Fran
Fran Civile´s last post ..Freedom of Religion … Only Valid When it Fits
Fran! 6pm it is.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Be Consistent to Write Better
What’s burning man?
I would like to participate if the
6 pm session is available.
Thanks,
Marcy
You’re in for 6pm!
Burning Man images: http://www.google.com/images?&q=burning%20man&biw=1247&bih=941
Website: http://www.burningman.com/
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Repurpose your blog posts – BPE 073 Metholz has arrived
I was talking about personal epiphanies and revelations, the future of the web and the meaning of life from the perspective of Burning Man with pictures., National Geographic style, maybe with a narration by Oprah.
Ralph´s last post ..Retirement Health – Have you considered the Paleo Diet
Dave, have a great time at Burning Man.
My friend Mark Gibson always attends. A few years ago he received permission to make a video of the event, and he did a showing here in Mount Shasta in 2006 or so.
Looks interesting…
John Soares´s last post ..My Trinity Alps Backpacking Trip — Caribou Lake- Sawtooth Ridge- Emerald Lake- Morris Meadows
“interesting” is an understatement!
We stayed all 7 days. Driving back was brutal.
I’m thinking about heading up your direction in the near future, for some camping.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Repurpose your blog posts – BPE 073 Metholz has arrived
Whoop! There is a limit for the call in! I had planned to join in but maybe not if there is such a limit. I hate to take up space! I certainly have no contribution about narrative arcs. If I have a narrative arc, it is news to me. Is this another of those ‘future of blogging’ things that always bewilder me?
Ralph´s last post ..Up With – Hood Ornaments
You’re in the target audience. You better be there!
Dave Doolin´s last post ..How to be a six-brained blogger
Nice to see one of the pros being honest about taking a dose of their own medicine – Burning man!! wow, say hello to Carlton for me. Have a awesome week.
Dave.
I didn’t get around to see nearly as many people as I wanted. I did, however, see a metric boatload of art this year. And the Temple of Flux burn was magnificent.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Thickbox Ajax Form Handling in WordPress
Have a great time at Burning Man. It’s my first time hear about Blog Post Engineering. But I don’t have time at Sep 9, maybe you could post some basic introduce about it in future?
sql´s last post ..SQL GROUP BY
I plan on running a few of these to see how they work out.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..How to Spot an Effective Design
Dave
hallo
My comment is connected to a bit different topic, but you closed comments on that entry so I came here:)
have you considered updating the data you posted in this article:
http://website-in-a-weekend.net/extending-wordpress/thesis-theme-custom-splash-page/
It was phenomenal, but it does not work with Thesis 1.8. Would you know how to make it work?
thanks so much in advance
Martina
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First things first, have a brilliant break at Burning Man. It looks awesome.
Secondly, I have BPE which I’ve now started reading and I’m about a quarter of the way through. It’s packed full of quality content, so I can only imagine the skype call will be equally great. I look forward to hearing more about them.
Matthew Needham´s last post ..How to handle the emotional turmoil of being a freelancer
Burning Man sounds cool! We may just be in the area next year, about a week before the actual festival (can’t stick around for it – kids have to get back to school on September 1 here).
Anne Moss´s last post ..And… I’m back!
Honestly, it’s worth having the kids start school a few days late!
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Be Consistent to Write Better
I look forward to seeing what changes you make to this Site. I totally agree – every once-in-awhile some Blog/Website maintenance is needed.
Gary´s last post ..Go DuckDuckGo!
Gary, a lot of what needs done will be not readily apparent to readers, but will make everything work better.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..5 Tips for Social Media Efficiency
There will be more events like this in the future, at different times.
Dave Doolin´s last post ..Thickbox Ajax Form Handling in WordPress