I've been having some problems updating this site for a bit over a month.
When I started using this new computer a couple of months ago, I installed Radio Userland (as suggested) in my Applications folder using my Administrator account.
But, I was doing all my work in my jd account, and Radio Userland does not operate as most Mac OS X applications do. I was having to switch between my jd account for everything else and my Administrator account for blogging to this site. That was unworkable.
So, I reinstalled the program in my jd account and started a process of searching through the databases and updating all paths and other configuration elements. It took a long time to get it working again.
In early September, I finally managed to get it working so I could create and maintain my static sites, such as JohnDilbeck.com and GeorgiaDragRacing.com.
But, I still couldn't blog. Well, that's not specifically true. I could blog, but it wouldn't upload the necessary files to my server.
Finally, after a lot of searching and thinking, I found the problem. I changed one configuration item deep in the database and it started uploading the entire site from back in late 2005. This will take some time because of my slow dial-up connection, but it's upstreaming steadily as I type this.
I really like Radio Userland, even though it can be difficult to use at times. It blogs right out of the box, but that's not my primary use. I have lots of blogs.
I mainly use Radio Userland to manage my large static sites. I can create a new database for every site and store the page data in one place, the templates in another, and things like CSS files in still another.
Once it is set up, it makes it easy to maintain large sites. Some of my sites have multiple sections and I use a different template for each section. Currently, I'm updating JohnDilbeck.com to a totally different design and it's easy to update a section at a time.
If what I just did fixes the upstreaming and blogging features (and it looks like it will), I can finally turn my attention away from maintaining the tools and back to maintaining my sites.
Even with the two or three months of work it has taken to get this operating smoothly, again, I would not switch tools. Radio Userland has been a very effective and efficient system that I have used for years. It's not for everyone, but after all the years I have spent learning to program computers, manage databases, and do all the other things, it's nice to have a system that is programmable and based on a database on my desktop.
I look forward to updating my sites and getting focused on marketing for the fall and winter buying season.
I just finished updating my art store where you can purchase posters, fine art, and photos from art.com and books and other products from Amazon.com. I'm testing a new system for marketing related items being auctioned on eBay, but I haven't decided if I want to keep using it or not.
It's nice to get past this final roadblock and back on track.
Act on your dream!
JD
8:12:26 PM 
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