New To Blogging

[Licker4U]

My link list Girls That Squirt (http://www.girls-that-squirt.com) has some link trades with a few blogs that send a lot of traffic so I figured I would jump on the blog bandwagon and have my own. Some questions:
1. Should I get a new domain for the blog or would it be OK to use http://www.girls-that-squirt.com/blog?
2. Is WordPress the easiest/best to use?

[balls_deep]

Getting a unique domain will depend of weather you are going to start a real blog or just a splog.

Id put a real blog on its own domain, and splogs id just organize into folders.

wordpress is very powerful and easy to use, another option is Joomla which is a little more diverse but a little harder to get the hang of. I would stick with wordpress.

[Licker4U]

Id put a real blog on its own domain, and splogs id just organize into folders.

I don't think there are any real blogs run by porn webmasters. We put links to a sponsor in there along with the posts and that's the spam. We call it advertising...I'll look into names that are available for a squirting blog and maybe get another domain.

[walrus]

Personally, I'd put it in a folder or a sub-directory off of your link list and I'd more than likely just do it as a folder.

That way you add a lot of related depth to you LL and hopefully both will benefit from all your hard SE work.

[balls_deep]

I don't think there are any real blogs run by porn webmasters.

here's an example of a real porn blog http://fleshbot.com/

[Licker4U]

here's an example of a real porn blog http://fleshbot.com/

That's what I'm aiming for, only squirting :D

[Lemmy]

I don't think there are any real blogs run by porn webmasters.Not that many anyway. :D

I don't think a few ads here and there disqualifies a blog from beaing "real", but if your blog primarily exists to attract surfers to click on your links/ads it's a splog, no matter how well written it is. Nothing wrong with that.

I don't have much experience with software other than WP and I don't see how you can go wrong. I've also played around a tad with Joomla. If you have no plans of ever going beyond basic blogging it's probably overkill, but if you down the road plan on expanding you certainly have more options.

WRT domains/folders I have no idea what might be best. Domains come cheap and you should probably be buying some anyway (you know, expanding your empire and all that). Why not install a blog in a sub-folder on your squirting LL to play around with just to see if it's something you want to do. Just remember that a quality blog (real or splog) will take up quite a bit of your time.

[Licker4U]

Well, I knew it wouldn't be easy. I got WP and I'm supposed to open wp-config-sample.php and fillin my database connection details. WTF?|huh

[Lemmy]

You need to create the DB with your host first, then fill in the DB name, user, PW and host.

[LD]

Well, I knew it wouldn't be easy. I got WP and I'm supposed to open wp-config-sample.php and fillin my database connection details. WTF?|huh

Have you set up a mysql database on your server before, or installed a script? The first one is always a little confusing, but it's really easy. Your hosting service will probably install it for you, but it's a good thing to know how to do.

[Licker4U]

I sent a ticket to my host telling them what I want to do and what folder I want the blog in. I'm sure they'll get it handled.

[ronnie]

Getting a unique domain will depend of weather you are going to start a real blog or just a splog.

Huh? How does that matter? You can put a blog or a splog anywhere you want.

If you want the best chance of a blog doing well, get a domain for it and put the blog on the index of the domain. and make sure to use the latest version of wordpress. Plus give it a few months to get going.

As far as a real blog or not, seems that is more up to the surfer. I have blogs that have ads all over and in most every post, but many surfers think it's a real person blogging, or a real blog..:)

[Licker4U]

Damn, my host has it all set up but I threw them a curve, I got a domain for the blog so now they have to move the info to the new domain :D

[ronnie]

Damn, my host has it all set up but I threw them a curve, I got a domain for the blog so now they have to move the info to the new domain :D

Probably not. All they needed to do was set up a database for you. If all your domains including a new one are on the same account, you can access the database from any domain.

[Licker4U]

Probably not. All they needed to do was set up a database for you. If all your domains including a new one are on the same account, you can access the database from any domain.

Well that's kewl, I guess I'm good to go. Just need the new domain to propogate or whatever

[ronnie]

Well that's kewl, I guess I'm good to go. Just need the new domain to propogate or whatever

That's how it's worked for my last couple hosts, can't say 100% for yours. If it's "localhost" for the database host/server, then you should be set, just need the DB name, user name and password.

Give you time to upload wordpress. Make sure to go to wordpress if you haven't already and get the latest. Last I saw it was 2.3.3

[LD]

I notice a lot of people using subdomains for blogs. Someone in another forum was claiming Google seemed to like subs at least as well as the main domain.

[ronnie]

I notice a lot of people using subdomains for blogs. Someone in another forum was claiming Google seemed to like subs at least as well as the main domain.

Maybe some do well, never worked as well for me. Comparing sub domain blogs against index based blogs. Just my experience.

[franko]

I sure doesn't look like porn blog to me. I looks like regular websit. I sure would like know I could get one like done. Was it costly to set it up. I am not a webmaster and not very good with the techy stuff.

Thanks,

Franko


here's an example of a real porn blog http://fleshbot.com/

[walrus]

If you want the best chance of a blog doing well, get a domain for it and put the blog on the index of the domain. and make sure to use the latest version of wordpress. Plus give it a few months to get going.Actually, the blogs I get the most traffic on are the ones that I piggy backed with one of my blog directories.

[walrus]

I sure doesn't look like porn blog to me. I looks like regular websit. I sure would like know I could get one like done. Was it costly to set it up. I am not a webmaster and not very good with the techy stuff.

Thanks,

Franko

Domain Registration $10.00 per year
Hosting: $15-20 a month
Wordpress - Free
Templates - Free or Paid
Plugins - Free

But before you do any of it, I highly suggest you read multiple topics here in the forum. There are some basic how-to info as well as some more advanced.

[ronnie]

Actually, the blogs I get the most traffic on are the ones that I piggy backed with one of my blog directories.

Like I said, from my experience, guess millage will vary..:)

Just what I've seen from my blogs, comparing index placed blogs and sub directory blogs.

[NY Jester]

Just like Licker, I just picked up blogging..work on it soem each day..so I get the hang of it. Ive learbed alot form this forum, ronnie, t pat, walrus, art, LD, have all had a lot of great things to say/teach/advise/share/bounce ideas off..that type of thing is priceless

[Licker4U]

OK, I put the database name, username and password in the wp-config-sample.php file and saved it as wp-config.php per the ReadMe instructions. I uploaded everything to the public_html folder on a new domain. Now I'm supposed to open /wp-admin/install.php in my browser but when I double click it it opens in Notepad. I copy and paste it into my browser and I get an error message:

This program cannot display the webpage

Most likely causes:
You are not connected to the Internet.
The website is encountering problems.
There might be a typing error in the address.

What you can try:
Check your Internet connection. Try visiting another website to make sure you are connected.

Retype the address.

Go back to the previous page.

More information

This problem can be caused by a variety of issues, including:

Internet connectivity has been lost.
The website is temporarily unavailable.
The Domain Name Server (DNS) is not reachable.
The Domain Name Server (DNS) does not have a listing for the website's domain.

What am I doing wrong?

[FanTC]

Sounds like the domain isn't fully propogated

[Lemmy]

OK, I put the database name, username and password in the wp-config-sample.php file and saved it as wp-config.php per the ReadMe instructions. I uploaded everything to the public_html folder on a new domain. Now I'm supposed to open /wp-admin/install.php in my browser but when I double click it it opens in Notepad. I copy and paste it into my browser and I get an error message:

This program cannot display the webpage

Most likely causes:
You are not connected to the Internet.
The website is encountering problems.
There might be a typing error in the address.

What you can try:
Check your Internet connection. Try visiting another website to make sure you are connected.

Retype the address.

Go back to the previous page.

More information

This problem can be caused by a variety of issues, including:

Internet connectivity has been lost.
The website is temporarily unavailable.
The Domain Name Server (DNS) is not reachable.
The Domain Name Server (DNS) does not have a listing for the website's domain.

What am I doing wrong?You have to type in the URL to the /wp-admin/install.php file in your browser eg. http://www.yourdomain.com/folder-where-you-put-wp/wp-admin/install.php

[Licker4U]

Sounds like the domain isn't fully propogated

/wp-admin/install.php is supposed to set up the tables for the blog. The new domain's URL is Girl Squirts (http://www.girl-squirts.com) but there's no index page...|huh

[Lemmy]

Licker, your install file is up and ready for your input (I just checked). Now hurry up and set it up before you're hacked. :D

[Licker4U]

Licker, your install file is up and ready for your input (I just checked). Now hurry up and set it up before you're hacked. :D

I logged in with admin as the username and the password WP gave me, wrote a title and post, hit "Publish" and nothing. WTF?|huh

[Lemmy]

Try deleting the placeholder index.html from your host. It overrides http://www.girl-squirts.com/index.php

[FanTC]

path set wrong? oh shit.. go in and rename the "index.html" in there to "indexold.html". I bet that's it

[Licker4U]

Try deleting the placeholder index.html from your host. It overrides http://www.girl-squirts.com/index.php

Hot damn! That was it!

OK, over on the right of the page is "Blogroll" with links under it. How do I get rid of those?

[Simon]

Are you opening the version on the server or on your local drive?

Update at 8:33am : Nevermind.

:D

[T Pat]

found a wordpress check list (http://www.internetwealthmaster.com/how-to-set-up-wordpress/) for you Licker
I want to weigh in on domain vs sub domain vs folder, I have blogs setup all three ways and I don't think it makes any difference to the Search Engines how your blog is set up, the blogs you put the most effort into will be the blogs that get the most traffic

[Licker4U]

Are you opening the version on the server or on your local drive?

On the server, the one online

[Simon]

Cool :)

I wasn't sure from your post #24 but I see you've got it sorted now.

...the blogs you put the most effort into will be the blogs that get the most traffic
From your mouth to god's ear.

[Lemmy]

OK, over on the right of the page is "Blogroll" with links under it. How do I get rid of those?You can't. It would be a violation of WP's licensing terms and your blog would self-destruct.

Seriously, now it's time for you to read the documentation and play around in the admin panel. Most of it is pretty self-explanatory.

The first things I would do is delete the install file if you haven't done so already and change the permalink structure (hint: options -> permalinks). Anything is better than the default.

Congrats on your new blog and welcome to the dark side. |thumb

[ronnie]

Hey, it's up and running! Now get posting! lol

[Licker4U]

Congrats on your new blog and welcome to the dark side. |thumb

Yep, it's looking pretty murky right now. I'll dig into it some more.

[Licker4U]

My head is getting foggy, I'm going back to bed for a while and try to digest things....|yawn|

[Licker4U]

I've surfed around and found a 3 column theme/template I like but the webmaster that offers it only has 3 colors available. Can I go in the skins folder and change the CSS or will that open up a can of worms?

[Tekster]

I've surfed around and found a 3 column theme/template I like but the webmaster that offers it only has 3 colors available. Can I go in the skins folder and change the CSS or will that open up a can of worms?

That is what I do, to change colors, header etc.
I don't know if you have a local server installed on your computer, but here is what I do: I installed WP on my local hard drive on my computer and then I play with all the settings, CSS headers etc until it looks like what I want. Then I just copy the modified files on to the server and I know everything will be good.

Here is what I use for my local server: http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

[ronnie]

Since your blog is brand new, I wouldn't worry about messing with it, no one is really going to see it.

When I mess with the CSS, I copy the original and do the change. Then I check it in the browsers. If it's okay, I move on, if not, I just paste the original back in. Works for me. Course, have a un-touched copy in case things get really messed up.

Just remember to check both FF and IE, they can and do differ, the buggers..:)

[balls_deep]

just make a copy of your theme files so if you screw it up you can go back to the origional with ease. I also suggest doing this once you have tweaked your theme.

everything is in the css or the .php for the template. you can do whatever you want to either.

i always use the wordpress editor to edit my template.

[LD]

That is what I do, to change colors, header etc.
I don't know if you have a local server installed on your computer, but here is what I do: I installed WP on my local hard drive on my computer and then I play with all the settings, CSS headers etc until it looks like what I want. Then I just copy the modified files on to the server and I know everything will be good.

Here is what I use for my local server: http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

Is that pretty easy to set up? I need that, but didn't want to get too wrapped up in a complicated setup.

[ronnie]

To be able to use the theme editor in Wordpress you have to change permissions on the theme's files, not always a good ting to do. Just use a web page editor, sure you have one of those.

[Tekster]

Is that pretty easy to set up? I need that, but didn't want to get too wrapped up in a complicated setup.

Real easy, just make sure you put your web pages, WP or anything else on the folder htdocs under the install folder. (just like on a server)

[Licker4U]

OK, before I pull out what little hair I have or start drinking more, I need someone to take me by the hand and take little bitty steps and go slow. I downloaded Mike Little's zip file for his blog theme. On this page: http://zed1.com/journalized/themes/journalized-theme-version-2/ I got: journalized-theme-2.0-Beta-2.zip. I uploaded the "skins" folder to the wp-content/themes folder. I uploaded all the other files to the public_html folder. In the WP admin it says:

Broken Themes
The following themes are installed but incomplete. Themes must have a stylesheet and a template.

Name skins
Description Stylesheet is missing.

What stylesheet??? In the skins folder there are colors available and each has it's own stylesheet, blue-skin.css, flowers-skin.css, etc. In the main folder there is layout.css and style.css. I know I've done something really simple and stupid but I can't figure it out. Aaaaarrrggghhh!! |banghead|

[ronnie]

Everything that goes with the theme stays in the same folder and goes in the wp-content/themes/themename folder, nothing gets separated. It's saying broken because you moved files around and didn't keep them together. Each theme folder should have a stylesheet and php files, plus usually a screenshot.png.

All stays in the one folder, you just upload the whole folder intact.

[ronnie]

what is in a theme can vary greatly. How many files and stylesheets they have depends on how complex they are, or how much they have been modified. More important, the more files they have the more control you have over the look/layout.

I don't mean to be rude, but there are so many better looking, more professional themes than the one you posted.

Here's a good list: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/08/100-excellent-free-high-quality-wordpress-themes/
which has even more links at the bottom of the post to other free themes.

[LD]

Real easy, just make sure you put your web pages, WP or anything else on the folder htdocs under the install folder. (just like on a server)

I downloaded and ran the install...decided I need a beer...:) Are you saying you have a local copy of your files (index, etc) and you copy them to the "server" folder as you would upload them to a real server? Dreamweaver is asking me about a "test server" which I'm thinking it wants info about this local server...?

Guess I could read the manual...|huh

[Licker4U]

All stays in the one folder, you just upload the whole folder intact.

I did that, and uploaded all the other files to the public_html folder where all the other WP files are located. I uploaded the new index.php file but when I tried to access the blog I got a mysql error so I uploaded the original WP index.php file and the blog works, just get the missing stylesheet info in the admin.

[Licker4U]

I don't mean to be rude, but there are so many better looking, more professional themes than the one you posted.

Here's a good list: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/08/100-excellent-free-high-quality-wordpress-themes/
which has even more links at the bottom of the post to other free themes.

I like the three columns and saw his porn blog and it looked good. I'll look through your suggestion and see if I can find a nice three column theme.

[ronnie]

I did that, and uploaded all the other files to the public_html folder where all the other WP files are located. I uploaded the new index.php file but when I tried to access the blog I got a mysql error so I uploaded the original WP index.php file and the blog works, just get the missing stylesheet info in the admin.

You did not read my post....... DO NOT SEPERATE anything from theme folder. Take the whole folder and upload it to the wp-content/themes/ folder. Thats it. DO NOT upload any files from the theme folder anywhere else. They all stay in the folder. Again, the stylesheet is missing because you uploaded it else where. It along with everything else, including the php files stay in the folder.

Thats the beauty of WP themes, you upload a theme folder, choose the theme in the admin and your done. There is no uploading files here and there.

The index file you uploaded did not work, because it is just the theme part of the real index file.

[Licker4U]

I uploaded the "skins" folder to the wp-content/themes folder. I uploaded all the other files to the public_html folder......In the skins folder there are colors available and each has it's own stylesheet, blue-skin.css, flowers-skin.css, etc. In the main folder there is layout.css and style.css.

As stated above I uploaded the skins folder to the wp-content/themes folder in it's entirety. There are style sheets in that folder which are not uploaded anywhere else. There are several colors available and each color has it's own style sheet. There may be 5 or 6 each with it's own name.

...It along with everything else, including the php files stay in the folder.

They are...

[ronnie]

I did that, and uploaded all the other files to the public_html folder where all the other WP files are located. I uploaded the new index.php file but when I tried to access the blog I got a mysql error so I uploaded the original WP index.php file and the blog works, just get the missing stylesheet info in the admin.

Thats what I was going by. There are no files that need to be uploaded into the public_html folder, unless it is an odd theme. Plus you said you uploaded the "new index.php file", there is no such thing, that index file stays only in the theme folder and is used like a include into the main WP index.php page. Plus you said about the missing stylesheet, sounded like you moved the style sheet that came with the theme, into the public_html folder also, which you shouldn't have done.

Well if every single file that came with the theme is in the theme folder, you should be set. Just pick the theme in the admin and your good to go. Since it has different styles, there should be options for the theme in the admin, under the "presentation" tab.

Every theme I have used/tired (many), all that is needed to is upload the theme folder, thats it. There are NO files that need to be uploaded anywhere else.

[Licker4U]

OK, I got it now. All the other files that weren't in the skins folder had to be uploaded into the skins folder. I wonder why he had the skins folder a seperate folder from all the other files? Anyway, I have the theme I want now I have to tweak it.

[ronnie]

lol.. you did not listen to what I said.. the theme folder doesn't have the index.php file because, as you said, you put in in the public_html folder with all the other php files from the theme.

Start from scratch..... find the zip for the theme. unzip it somewhere. Once unzipped you should have a folder, upload that complete folder in to the wp-content/themes/ folder on your sever. DO NOT move any of the files around, leave it as is! That is all you need to do, as i keep saying. Upload the complete, original folder and do nothing more with that folder or it's files.

After that go to your WP admin, then to Presentation, click on the theme you uploaded and it should be up on your blog. From the sound of the theme, there should be some options in the presentation section for that theme.

[ronnie]

Glad to here you got it. They probably have a separate folder to keep things straight and for easier upgrades, ect.

Looks though, that you need to put the original theme stylesheet, that came with the them, into the theme folder.

[Licker4U]

Looks though, that you need to put the original theme stylesheet, that came with the them, into the theme folder.

All the files are in the skins folder which is in wp-content/themes/ and I have the three columns I wanted but the colors are missing and "powered by WordPress" is in the calendar. |banghead| I'll mess around with it....

[Lemmy]

I just looked at your blog and I'm pretty sure that you're missing the style sheet for the particular skin you have chosen. Check the skins/ folder within your journalized theme to make sure all the .css files are present (should be 6).

[Licker4U]

I just looked at your blog and I'm pretty sure that you're missing the style sheet for the particular skin you have chosen. Check the skins/ folder within your journalized theme to make sure all the .css files are present (should be 6).

Yep, all six are there.....|huh

I did notice when selecting which skin to use that the png wasn't visible in the Journalized Theme Options page where I can select which skin to use and when I select a different color nothing changes.

[ronnie]

I just downloaded the theme your using. After unzipped it gives you a folder of "journalized" thats the folder that shoould be uploaded. If I was you, I would start over. Unzip the theme and uupload the folder.

In that folder there is style.css, it's there, you just moved it or uploaded it to the public_html folder, it needs to ONLY be in the journalized folder, no where else. Same for all the php files that came with the theme.

[Licker4U]

I just downloaded the theme your using. After unzipped it gives you a folder of "journalized" thats the folder that shoould be uploaded. If I was you, I would start over. Unzip the theme and uupload the folder.

In that folder there is style.css, it's there, you just moved it or uploaded it to the public_html folder, it needs to ONLY be in the journalized folder, no where else. Same for all the php files that came with the theme.

Upload the "journalized" folder into the wp-content/themes/ folder?

[Lemmy]

If I was you, I would start over.I concur. Delete the entire theme from your server and start from scratch.

[ronnie]

Upload the "journalized" folder into the wp-content/themes/ folder?

Yes.. and nothing more. Long as it's the original, untouched version.

[Licker4U]

That got it. Whew! Thanks! |waves|

Now, can I get rid of that Blogroll crap?

I'm gonna have another drink and go outside and smoke...

[Licker4U]

Now, can I get rid of that Blogroll crap?

Yes you can dumbass, play around with it a while and you'll figure it out....

[ronnie]

From reading about the theme, it looks like you will need to dig into the code to change it around. Maybe there are options for that?

Here is why I praise widgets. Widgets allow you to basically build your blog and the layout by dragging blocks of code. No need to go into the pages to change the layout or to change parts.

[Lemmy]

Yes you can dumbass, play around with it a while and you'll figure it out....LOL |jester|
Glad you got it to work, it only gets easier from here. And I agree with Ronnie, a widgetized theme is the way to go.

[Licker4U]

And I agree with Ronnie, a widgetized theme is the way to go.

But I want this theme (pout). Yeah, maybe I'll keep looking for a widgetable theme that I like...

But right now I'm going outside to smoke and have yet another drink |rasta| |cheers|

[ronnie]

You can widgetize a non-wigetized theme, but it involves some php and messing with your templates. I just did one the other day, but it was just one sidebar, pretty easy. Not to mention getting everything to work with your CSS.

I am curious what you see in that theme? As UW would say, it's so 1998.

There are plenty of higher quality 3 column or more if you want. Also the side bars look so small, hard to fit much in there and it still look nice. Did you look at that link I gave you?

[Licker4U]

Did you look at that link I gave you?

I looked at about 80 themes and didn't see any with three columns. I may go back and look through them all. I originally saw the theme here (http://www.squirtacular.com/) and liked it. Well, a pretty "pussy pink" color would be better. :D There are some banners in the middle column that are fucked up but for the most part the two side columns work pretty well. If it's "so 1998", that's what I know about blogs, zilch. :D Now that I know how/where to upload files I may do some more looking and find something more with the times.....What do "nowadays" blogs look like?

[Licker4U]

As UW would say, it's so 1998.

I can't settle on any theme, maybe UW should suggest 3-4 and let me pick one |jester| I have no clue what looks "now".

[Simon]

One quick suggestion...

If you want to use a 3-column theme with your posts appearing in the middle column, you can look for a theme that uses CSS to let you to put the content of your center column first in the source code instead of after all the stuff in your left-side menu.

FWIW

[Licker4U]

One quick suggestion...

If you want to use a 3-column theme with your posts appearing in the middle column, you can look for a theme that uses CSS to let you to put the content of your center column first in the source code instead of after all the stuff in your left-side menu.

FWIW

I think I've figured out how to get stuff where it goes but how can I tell if a theme uses CSS the way you suggest?

....and when I look at the code it's all been compacted up and to the right so I have to scroll waaaaaaay horizontally to look at it. Any way to spread it out vertically without messing things up?

[Simon]

Licker, usually the themes which do that are referred to as "SEO-friendly" or something like that by their creators. It's something that can be done with any number of columns, but the 3-column versions are the ones I've seen most often. Here's one version (http://webhost.bridgew.edu/etribou/layouts/skidoo_too/index.html) so you can see how it works.

I've never looked at the theme source code for the theme you mentioned, but as far as the code formatting goes, you should be able to reformat it so that it's easier for you to work with. Just make a copy of the page first and keep that to swap back in case the changing the formatting does screw things up somehow. I have a source format profile in my text editor which lets me look at all code formatted the way I like. Then I can always compact it before uploading if I want to make it hard for others to read. :)

[ronnie]

I usually don't mess with the CSS layout that much. For one I am no CSS layout expert. Second, there are differences between FF and IE and trying to get them both to play nice can be a pain. You have to know the little fixes for certain situations. Not to say you can't make little changes, just be aware you might run in to problems. Just from my experience...:)

With that said, there are SO MANY wordpress templates out there, I don't see why can't find one you like. Least find the layout you want, changing colors is pretty easy and your not messing with the layout.

I've seen tons of three column themes, left, right and on both sides. There is something for every one.

You can use the theme viewer (http://themes.wordpress.net/) at Wordpress and even sort themes to fit your criteria, though it's not real exact on the sort. The only drawback to the theme viewer is that it seems like they don't have many of the higher quality themes.

And of course there is always Google...:)

I am kinda liking compact CSS, don't have to scroll down forever to move around.