Remember this post from quite a while back? “Something Few People Have Ever Seen”

Of course you don’t because each time I’ve mentioned it since, I get met with virtual blank stares. And, by “virtual blank stares” I mean, of course, a complete lack of comments. Anyway, your comments on that post were on this post.

As you may recall, I spent a good part of last year working on my eBook.

At some point after that, I started work on relaunching another one of my websites. I did a partial relaunch of the site at the beginning of last month. But, I am still continuing work on some of the features.

What I did is started to recycle some of my coding from the first post referenced above. As you may recall, that was a forum system, so I decided to borrow some of that code in order to create a better commenting system on the relaunched site. I tried opening it to comments a few years back, but it quickly became so full of spam I just tossed the whole comment system. Now, however, I will have a better commenting system that will require users to actually join as members of the site before they can leave a comment. Registrations will be manually done, so that should weed out a lot of spammers. Plus, I plan to have some other spam-thwarting mechanisms in place.

At any rate, I have been thinking of this new commenting schema as a “lite” version of that forum system I had started to build so long ago.

In the meantime, however, I started a new website in a completely different area, using some open source software. Well, that site died a painful death after a couple weeks. Somehow, it is completely messed up. There is a directory where you put any plugins for the system. Well, last week I think it was, the thing went down after I was modifying the theme. The end result is that, somehow, putting anything in the plugins directory results in the site not working at all. And, without plugins, the system is largely useless because the majority of the functionality you want is in the plugins.

So, I re-uploaded files, replacing basically everything on there, all to no avail. The conclusion I reached is that I would have to wipe the whole thing out and start anew. Which would be doable, except that it leaves me wondering how long before the new install would be toast, you know? It’s not like I was messing with the database when the thing went down. I was modifying CSS and changing some administrative settings. My feeling is that if the software is that flaky, I cannot rely on it for anything.

So, then I got to thinking, why don’t I just use my own stuff? Finish it up and use it instead of relying on someone else’s “solution”? Plus, I can code into it the features that I want and, since I am already (mostly) familiar with the code, it’s easier for me to modify my own stuff than meddle around with open source software and try to figure it out.

And that is what I have been working on. Plus, I’ve been adding features that I didn’t have way back when in order to bring it more into the modern age. On top of that, I’ve got some level of flexibility in the presentation of certain things so that you, as a user, will be better able to view things the way you want to view them. The version I am working on will have that only in a few key areas, but I may expand upon that in the future.

Right now, the focus is on finishing the basic functionality so that the “lite” version can be released on the site I’ve mentioned for use as a commenting solution. After that, I have two new sites in mind that would use a more full-featured version.

Anyway, I’ve got a couple things to do yet before calling it a day, so I better get to them.

With a Starbucks on every corner, it may seem to be a bad idea to open your own coffeeshop. But, in fact, small coffee shops can do quite well. Just give this (admittedly old) article a read: “Don’t Fear Starbucks“. Here’s another one from last year: “Starbucks and Small Business“.

Even while Starbucks isn’t quite growing at the rate it used to, and started closing a number of stores back in 2008, it still remains quite popular. Even companies like McDonald’s have gotten into the act, offering premium coffees, but at lower prices than Starbucks.

Despite the economy, people still crave their daily cup of coffee, and not everyone has the time or inclination to make it themselves, leaving plenty of opportunities for small coffee shops to start and prosper.

Of course, being able to make a quality cup of coffee is just one step in starting your own coffee shop. It takes a whole lot more than your coffee maker and a few styrofoam cups. But, it need not be difficult or expensive. Take a look at The Brew Book’s Coffee Shop Secrets for full details on starting your own coffee shop.

Mind you, I do get a commission if you buy that book. But, even if you choose not to make a purchase, there is a lot of useful information you can get from the page, including seeing the kinds of things you’ll need to learn and know.

You know, during economic depressions and recessions is when many companies started or turned things around to become more successful. For every business that closes, there’s another that’s filling the gap. The losers are often those with the least visibility while the ones that manage to make it through, and even thrive, are those that keep a high profile and maintain a sense of determination to succeed. In some ways, it may seem contrary to try to start something when so many others are closing or struggling to hang on, but now’s the time to establish a foothold.

So, if you’ve ever thought about owning your own business, now is the time. If you’ve ever thought about owning your own coffee shop, now is the time to check out The Brew Book’s Coffee Shop Secrets.

Or iSlate or whatever they wind up calling it. And, no, the Apple iTablet is not on sale, but…

I want one.

You see, the Apple tablet is rumored to be announced next week. Pricing estimates are that it will be around $1,000. I bet they won’t be immediately available, but, you know, you want to get your orders in early.

As I mentioned, I want one. And, it’s for business purposes. Fun too, but business.

So, in an effort to raise funds to purchase one of these puppies, I am putting my Internet Marketing Backstage Pass guide on sale. Regularly priced at $47, it’s now priced to move at just $18.95.

Everything is included as normal. This isn’t a pared down version or anything. This is the full $47 course reduced down to $18.95. That’s a savings of over $28! (Okay, just 5 cents over $28, but that still counts as over.)

So, if you’ve been on the fence about getting your copy, now’s the time to grab it. Don’t delay! Buy today!

That little extra rhyme there was free. You’re welcome. Now, please help me get my Apple iTablet by buying my product. Thanks!

Oh, wait. So, I’m supposed to tell you what’s in it for you, right? Well, you won’t have to read post after post of me complaining that I don’t have an Apple iTablet even though I really want one. That’ll get old quick. Believe me. You don’t want to go there.

Anyway, just look at the sales page for all the great stuff you’ll learn. Plus, you get all sorts of neat graphics and stuff. Buttons, seals, backgrounds–all fun and useful stuff.

But, really, let’s face it: the economy sucks. And, we’re all looking for ways to make extra money or promote our existing businesses. Well, if you’re new to Internet marketing, this comprehensive guide has you covered! You’ll learn everything from the very basics to slightly more advanced techniques. Plus, there are plenty of resources to help you further.

The website will tell you more. Please go check it out.

Still not convinced? How about this? Pretty please with a cherry on top, please go check it out.

Yeah, I thought that would work.

I’ve been working on a site redesign for a re-launch of a long-neglected website. I’ve been working on it for a couple months. (Okay, longer than that. I did the logo redesign back in July of last year.)

Overall, I’ve liked it, but something wasn’t quite right. It was, I thought, the best way I could figure out to do it and so I kept on it. But, I didn’t quite go full steam ahead, because, deep down, I really wasn’t happy with it.

It just wasn’t quite right.

Well, last night after whining about it on Twitter, and tweeting with another designer (@DillingerKovach), I came up with a solution.

That required that I change a number of graphics, which I did last night.

This morning, I uploaded the new graphics and made the necessary coding changes.

The result was pretty good.

Then I tweaked it.

And that was better.

But something still wasn’t quite right.

So, I undid most of what I did. And did a little tweaking.

It pretty much put me back to where I started, except with some minor changes, the new graphics and a change in color.

And that made all the difference.

So, now I can more comfortably move ahead with it. Now it looks cool. The way I wanted.

Probably will miss my January 1st relaunch date, but maybe I can be close.

Anyway, so by now you know how I like teasers, so that’s what you’re going to get for now, which can be seen above.

Of course, those of you who volunteered as testers last week, please remain quiet. Let everyone else guess.

Recycling images. Cool, eh? Just used that one last week. Bet you didn’t even notice…

Anyway, you remember our friend, the Assassin Bug?

Well, Daevid (that’s his name!), has been busy. Well, when he’s not sunning himself on leaves, that is, which he hasn’t done much of this week, since there’s not been a lot of sun, though there is a bit today, but it’s cold out and I digress…

Anyway, if you’ve ever been keen on getting into affiliate marketing, or wondered what it is, Daevid’s put together The Internet Marketing Bug’s Affiliate Guide, which tells all. Or, at least it tells you a bunch of stuff to get you started. “All” would be pretty big, you know.

Best of all, he’s giving it away absolutely FREE. Yeah, he’s nuts like that.

Well, you do have to sign up for his mailing list, but what’s so hard about that? Besides, he won’t bug you with new messages every hour. He’s not like that. You’ll get mail less frequently. Even less frequently when sunny weather comes. Probably.

Just visit the Internet Marketing Bug to sign up and get your FREE copy.

What could be easier?

FTC disclaimer: I own that site.

Christmas may be rough this year. It’s been a bad, bad year.

So, for everyone struggling to make ends meet, I’ve developed a low-cost solution for you:

That’s right–it’s a Christmas Gift IOU. Even has a bow!

Stock up on these, and wait to buy presents until you can afford them. It’ll save you a bundle on interest rates on your credit cards!*

Here’s where you can stock up on your Christmas Gift IOUs. (Important FTC Disclaimer: Yes, if you buy some, I make money because I own the site.)

*This statement has not been validated by any government agency. Credit card interest rates may vary. Credit card holders with no interest rates may have no savings at all. No guarantee is made that you will actually save any money on your credit card interest rates. This statement was made in jest, though it is probably true for most people, but no surveys have been done to analyze typical results so no statement to that fact, or non-fact as the case may be, can be rendered here. Caveat emptor. Woof woof! Bam bam. Whamma lhamma shamma ding dang!

You remember our friend, the Assassin Bug, don’t you?

Well, his name is Daevid, and he’s been busy.

You see, he decided to get into Internet marketing. He’s even written his own book, The Internet Marketing Bug’s Affiliate Guide, which is a guide for getting started in affiliate marketing. It’s available FREE if you sign up for his mailing list. Just visit the Internet Marketing Bug to sign up.

FTC disclaimer: I own that site.

A few moons ago (which was last year), I did a post here: “Success Saturday: Putting Together an eCommerce Site“. Yep, that too was posted on a Saturday.

Well, this week, I released another version of it: “Getting Started with Your Own eCommerce Site“.

Much is the same; just had to change a few things. Please check it out and tell your friends too.

I’m using this one to promote my “Internet Marketing Backstage Pass” guide which, by the way, is on sale this weekend only. I’m writing this on Friday evening, and some have already taken advantage of the sale, which is good news. So, if you’ve thought about getting a copy, this would be a good weekend to do so to take advantage of a pretty incredible sale price. But, that ends around midnight Sunday, November 15th, so you better act now.

But, even if you don’t buy the guide, at least please give the article a read. Thanks!

Playing around with some color schemes today.

You’ll be seeing more of one of these. Maybe.

Soon. Hopefully.

Which one do you like?

Some of you long-timers may remember this and this from last November.

Well, I got word today that the technological hurdle that held me back for, oh, the past eight years, has been overcome…

So, with some jiggery pokery, I might be able to get this thing going again.

Hmmm, and maybe I can merge some sites as well, sites that were separate because of the hurdles I faced those many years ago.

Coincidentally, this somewhat also relates to my first post of the day…

Curiouser and curiouser, the spinning wheel goes round and round…