HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

I have been looking for more ways to spread the word about this blog, and one popular choice is Pay Per Click advertising.  For the uninitiated, a site owner contributes a certain amount of money to purchasing ads on websites and are charged according to the number of clicks an ad gets.   This is very popular on Google.   Recently, Network Solutions, who is the domain registrar with one of the longest histories, got into the internet marketing game.    The jury is still out for me on this, but I admit the Network Solutions name makes me turn my head a little.  In fact, the very first domain we had registered in the 90s was purchased through them.    In reviewing their  program, it seems that they offer a more comprehensive plan, such as keyword research, site analysis, and ad copy.  You don’t want your whole campaign crashing and burning based on something only you think is catchy.    The other positive is that if your site deals with a local business, you won’t be placed on sites that will bring you calls for a plumber from five states away.

The  service may seem a bit pricey for sites that revolve around personal hobbies or blogging, but if your site is also about your livelihood, such a high percentage of business comes from the internet these days, it could be well worth it to you.

Sometimes I don’t have a lot to work with when it comes to some of the photos on this site. There are some that I take myself, but others I receive from charity evets and shelters were sometimes taken on the fly.  Often, even tweaking the color doesn’t work.  There are a lot of Photoshop Brushes to download and add to make the best of things.  There are brushes that create “old postcard stamp,” effects, fairy dust and more.

This is how it works:  A programmer can submit brushes and patterns if they follow the resolution and thumbnail criteria. Then, anyone can download the brush and use it.  The creator can ad their identity to the brush, just like individuals who create blog templates for free download can.   This way, someone can share, and get the benefit of promoting themselves at the same time.

Here is a photo of Anastasia, a dog that had been stuck at a shelter.  Don’t worry, she was rescued and is on her way to a happy home.   The photo was very dark and there wasn’t much I could do with it.     My current version of Photoshop had a cut out that I used to add visual interest to distract you from the unflxable lighting problem.

Bookmark this page, as later (tomorrow!) I am going to reveal how I transformed it once again with one of the patterns or brushes that I found at Brusheezy.com.   I have been playing around all afternoon with them like a kid locked in a toy store. It is definitely worth downloading a few and using them to pretty things up, or to create a background layer.  Remember to keep coming back to watch this photo come to life.

Better yet, download a few toys yourself and challenge me to a “photo-edit-off.”  I know that’s not really a word, but their are Cook Offs aren’t there?   You have my permission to copy Anastasia’s photo if you want to try your hand at it and challenge me to a Photoshop dual.   (Walk ten paces and draw!)  Let’s see what we come up with.

Maybe it is because I have been on the phone a lot, but my hands are at least starting to uncurl finally. They we really bad when I used to do secretarial work, but sometimes the telltale hand pain kicks up when I have busy weeks. I was always afraid of having to have carpal tunnel surgery or needing other radical procedures for carpal tunnel relief.  It is definitely a workplace hazard when you type or blog. What adds to it, is that I type on an angle because of my challeneged eyesight. The screen is slightly to the right, which causes one hand to extend farther than the other. That can’t be ergonomic.

They actually have gloves now that can help you get some carpal tunnel relief, not only if you it, but as a preventative measure. I do think I have never learned the “correct” positive for my wrists or hands to write or type in, and it has created a world of bad habits and pain.   Of course, in the old days, the styles of supports would actually cut off your circulation and cause other problems.  Nowadays, Imak has several different types of gloves and supports.  You can just use one, or wear one on each hand.

I have had different supports for different aches and pains, and I usually end up only using them for a little while. Imak has a comfort guarantee where if their product doesn’t feel quite right, they will accept a return up to one year from purchase date.  If the store that you bought it from won’t accept it back, they will.  You then would receive a replacement, or a product of similar value.

I think I am going to impress people who ask about them that they are falconing gauntlets. They are heavy duty so my pet peregrine. They will be impressed that I am a bird whisperer and won’t feel sorry about my aching wrists and hands.

I just don’t like being out all day. I know its not good to be always tied to a computer, but there always seems to be the need to be able to do a quick check of something. Sometimes when I am out doing a “fun activity” I can just feel the weight of things I need to check on, as if there was some sort of invention that added weight to the shoulders of your shirt or pant legs with each email that came into your inbox and was not checked.

I think if I had mobile broadband, it would be good therapy for me. A laptop could pick up the signal as we drove, and I could arrive at our destination all caught up, or could even be sitting on a blanket at the park with the dogs. Most broadband modem cards plug right into your USB drive, so they are easy to travel with and remove, if needed, when you pack up your computer. Most of the people I communicate with on the internet do not have any idea where I am geographically, so typing on the lawn or in a forest won’t make a difference.

The other good news is that there are four mobile broadband providers in the UK, so my British readers won’t feel so left out. I always seem to only rave about contests and products unavailable to you. People like me in the States also won’t find that our computer is useless over there when deciding to take a tour. When we manage to be able to go on trips, it always seems like when I come back, I have been gone too long and can never catch up.

What I am eager to know from my friends in Europe: Do cell phones and internet connections work on the in the Chunnel? Write in and let me know!

I signed up for a few blog directories to further spread the word about this blog. Some directories and social networking sites, for that matter, have an area where you can post Website Reviews or give a thumbs up or down. Are the reviews completely honest?  Perhaps, but if the goal of the sites are to make friends, then you may feel obligated to perhaps give pleasant, but superficial comments to encourage others to do whatever the goal on that site may be.  There are also reviews on various consumer sites, but there is so much going on there that you have to dig for site reviews.

On the site Talkreviews.com, which I just discovered, they pretty much encourage you to “let it rip.”     Most of the reviews that weren’t glowing seemed to be for commerce sites to very large stores or businesses, but in general, respondants seem to want others to discover and enjoy their favorite sites, too.  I think I will review a few of my favorite resource sites to pass the info along.

I wonder what people would say about my site when they are looking to review a website.   I better get to work and spiff up the place!

So, what websites do you love or hate, but know that you can’t live without?

Late at night, when I am unwinding from the day, I catch up on reading the latest blogs that I am hooked on.  I thought I would randomly share the last few blogs I have read tonight.

TheRollerblog is one of my faves.  It is a fun tribute to all things 70s (and occasionally 80s).  If you remember your uncle that had a mustache that would look creepy now, but was considered really attractive then, than this blog is for you.   But it is sooo much more than that…

The Home Zookeeper - Megan writes about all sorts of animal stories, issues, but if you are fond of huskies, you’ll especially want to check the blog out as she frequently shows photos of family members of the Siberian persuasion

The SnackHound - Well I am not really “reading it,” per se, as I am also writing it too!  Really, I am cheating then. The SnackHound is the new blog in the HoundsGood family.  It is a take on kitchen mishaps, recipes, restaurants, and the other adventures of someone who just can’t cook a darn.

Sushi or Death - A blog about…you guessed it…sushi.  It is a veritable showcase/diary of sushi - whether it is traditional, made out of candy, or is about cartoon ninja warriors that are pieces of sushi.  It makes me extremely hungry this time of night.  I love sushi.  I just wish I wasn’t so danged broke right now.

Mary’s Madness - I just read this blog for the first time tonight.  In fact, her list of blogs she was reading inspired this list.

I will update with the last two blogs I happen to stumble past before I turn off the lights

What are the last few blogs that you have read?

A long time ago (at least it seems like a long time ago), when I was just starting this blog, I was having a heck of a time deciding what type of template or format I wanted for it. Although, I was well versed in html and website building, there are many “half directions” written up on the internet regarding installing wordpress templates.

I imagine they are written by people that give directions similar to how my dad gives driving directions: he knows the route so well that he forgets to tell you about an important turn. He is not absent minded; rather, he thinks highly of you and figures that you are completely familiar what he is familiar with. In otherwords, they leave out things that are second nature to them. There is an article, here, that gives a visual take on the process which cuts through the fear anyone has with the technical language.

I explored a little more of the site I found the article on. There are tons of really great templates that you can try on for size. Look at this one. Is that a tree-o-saurus? Perhaps I am the only one who thinks of it that way. Afterall, my inner child who wanted to be a paleantologist when she grew up often shows herself around here. That one seriously tempts me.