It’s official: in a little under a month, I’ll have my things all packed away in storage, and I’ll be on my way to gorgeous Buenos Aires, nearly 9000 km from home, and quite literally the other side of the world. I’ll be staying for three months, which officially makes it my longest trip ever. I’ve […]
Stories
Interesting things
After spending three months in a cast earlier this year, I have managed to successfully break my other wrist now. (Apparently my bones are made of eggshell.) I’m still in the early stages, so typing is a challenge, and I’ve had all kinds of emails and business to attend to. Accordingly, I’m taking the easy […]
12 plugins every WordPress installation needs
As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’m working on streamlining a number of my processes. The most important, and I think accordingly the most complex, of these processes is that by which I develop websites, which is often something of a mishmash of various methodologies and techniques. Since I build so many WordPress websites […]
Not getting paid—and liking it
Businesswise, the last few weeks have been quite active for me. I’ve heard from lots of new clients and have started quite a number of new projects. I’ve even heard from old prospects I’d forgotten about, and I’ve had interest crop up from new contacts. I noticed, however, that while I’m working an awful lot, I’m […]
How to give feedback (without driving your designer insane!)
Designers rely on your feedback. Here’s some tips for how to give good feedback, and avoid making your designer crazy.
5 ways to build internet credibility
Walking home the other day, I saw a new tattoo shop had opened up near my house. “Classy Tattoo Parlour”, the sign proclaimed in loud, all-caps serifed letters. Of course, it was in a strip mall, so even if it were the classiest joint in town, full of ladies in beehives smoking from mile-long cigarette […]
Six (minimally self-serving) tips for choosing a designer
Hiring a designer is a tricky process. You’ve got to pick someone, sometimes out of nowhere, pay him a bunch of money as a deposit, and hope that he comes up with something you love. Chances are good that whatever you need designed is something you care a great deal about (especially if you’re a […]
How I broke up with a tyrannical beast
Last week, I made an important, life-changing decision. One that I should have made years ago, but I’ve cowtowed to abuse for too long. From here on out, I will no longer be developing websites that work in IE6. I will, instead, be using the fabulous IE6 Update script on all of my websites. (There’s […]
Surviving with your reputation—and your dignity—intact
Shit happens. It may be trite, but it’s true. You can be the most organized, thoughtful, and thoroughly prepared businessperson in the universe, but eventually, somewhere along the line, things will spiral out of control. Suddenly, your meticulously planned project has turned into a beast: a mess of missed deadlines, a slew of thwarted expectations, […]
These dog days are for the birds!
Well, apparently my business should be slowing down right about now as everyone runs off on summer holidays, but it’s emulating a steamship more than anything else. (Which is nice, except that my house looks like it’s been hit by a hurricane.) I’ve been insanely busy but have been trying to keep balanced (relatively speaking): […]