My Thirty Day Challenge Notes

I finally got the bugs worked out and found out how to install WordPress correctly on my hosting site. I was doing it wrong. I was supposed to use the one-button installer in Fantastico. When I found that out it loaded right up and started working.

I was able to import my Blogger content from my Debt Free or Bust blog into WordPress on HostGator pretty easily. It’s not bad once you learn how to do it. The new URL is debtfreeorbust.com. I’m leaving my Blogger blog up until I get the new one completely the way I want it, though I won’t be posting anything new to it.

Then I spent hours looking through themes and finally decided on one with 4 columns. It’s pretty cool, but I’m still not sure if I like it for that blog. I like it personally because it’s easy on the eyes and I spend a lot of time there so it keeps the number of headaches down. But it doesn’t match the topic. It’s generic where topic is involved.

WordPress is quite different than the Blogger interface and I’m experiencing a big learning curve. It reminds me of learning how to use FireFox to your best advantage. You have to add the plugins to make it specific to you and your needs. I’m still exploring plugins. There are tons of them so I’m sure it will take me awhile to get everything set up just the way I want it.

I feel like I truly accomplished something big today getting that first blog set up and moved. Now I know how to do it and the next blog won’t be so difficult. I should have it down to a science by the time I move the last blog over. At least I hope I will.

written by joubess

I purchased my domain names and set up an account with HostGator. It didn’t cost as much as I first calculated because I registered my domains at Dynadot for $10.99/year each ($8.99/domain + $2 for domain privacy). I parked my domains on my host account and I started working on the first blog I want to move.

I set up my first database and started working on getting WordPress installed. I decided to use WordPress because I like so many blogs other people have put up with it. I downloaded the zip file and got through the first part of installation, which is setting up your config.php file. I followed the instructions, uploaded all the files and have an error when I try to run the install.php file. I’m stuck there, and after going to the WordPress forum it seems 3 other people are experiencing the same error with version 2.3.

In the meantime, I am going to try moving my blogs hosted on blogspot over to HostGator and continue to use Blogger until I can get my WordPress problem worked out. If I never do, well, I’ve been pretty happy with Blogger, so I’ll just continue to use it.

That decision may bring it’s own set of frustrating errors and glitches, but I’ll see how it goes.

It seems, though, that no matter how easy something is supposed to be, nothing is ever easy.

written by joubess