Closure

One of the new things I learned how to do, incorporate my signature on the web -

After spending the last several weeks concentrating on how to write and develop my website, (thinking it was finished when it really wasn't), I am now satisfied with the end result. I have edited on top of edits, constantly trying to improve the navigation and keep it clean. I am finally pleased.

My site - Fine Art by Robin

I want to share my learning process with you because I had no idea the details would be this involved. It has been so totally consuming that I have not been able to focus on any other thing. Now I can finally more forward and make the time to start new artwork. Blogging about this experience is going to help me with the closure I need!

I had been learning about apple software ever since I switched to a mac computer about four years ago, simple word processing and minimal graphic design stuff... but I always had paid someone else to work on my website and updates. I reached a point where I really wanted to change the design of the site and do my own maintenance. I just needed to force myself to concentrate on the details and I felt I could handle this. Little did I know that writing the actual website was the easiest piece of the puzzle (I think blogging regularly for almost two years helped me feel more confident about graphic design preferences but by no means am I implying that writing a website is easy). Once the new website was written, I then had to contact the existing web host and ask for them to "release" my domain name so I could transfer it to my new web host.

OK, pause a minute here... I am the paying customer, and as the paying customer had to ask for the permission to move the product - the domain name for my website - to a different company. Why did I need permission for something I paid for? I was on the phone requesting all these changes when I was then handed over to some 'higher level' customer service representative who insisted I really did not want to switch companies and that if I did switch I would be forced to go through a process which took between 5 to 7 days. I was outraged, I am the customer, damn it!

I still don't understand why they make you wait other than maybe they figure if you are aggravated long enough you will decide not to bother switching hosts thus they keep you as a customer.

My domain name was finally transfered after a week and the new web host then asks you to re-direct your domain name address and email by changing the settings, so their server will know where to direct everything to (more settings behind the scenes need to be changed and I guess this part wasn't as complicated but are you still able to follow me?) I found myself running to the local Apple store for additional support to make this all happen because my first attempts at home were not successful. I also spent quality time on the phone talking to tech support with my new web host company and fortunately they were nice and patient, always a good sign. Now that everything is finished and actually working I feel like I learned so much from this process that if I ever do this again (doubtful) I am sure it will be less complicated. I always learn best from my mistakes. Please someone hand me a palette now, the old fashioned paint brush kind.