Apr 28 2008
Spring Cleaning
You know how when you decide to clean, things looks worse before they look better?
If you’re not familiar with this then you’ve never cleaned out a closet or your garage or your office!
What happens is that you have to haul out everything so you can see all the uhm, STUFF you’ve accumulated.
Now that all this stuff is out you can then sort it and hopefully, throw large chunks of it away. Or maybe give it away.
I am currently trying to clean up both my virtual (blog) and my real (office) life!
I followed HMTKSteve’s instructions on how to move a blog. I backed up files and my database but prior to even moving any files, I read up on htaccess and what the commands mean and how it worked. Then I read how you should be able to have your WordPress installation running under its own directory with your blog in the root.
Hmmmm. So I gave just modifying the htaccess file a try and updating the WordPress options.
No go.
I tried a few more things but 404 error. Oh, well.
So then I moved (copied) everything under /blog to the root, modified the htaccess file.
I get 404 error.
Sigh.
So, that move was not successful. I’m not blaming Steve’s instructions, I know I am missing something somewhere!
So I restore stuff and as far as I know, everything is working in the old configuration.
In between all this I’ve also started organizing my personal files. Yep, I was cleaning out my home office! If you recall, I was laid off last December. I had boxes of stuff relating to that job, stuff that had been past due for a while in addition to stuff that seriously, I would not be needing again.
I am tired of all the cardboard stuff so I went to mega office supply store and dang, office supplies are pricey! No wonder people snag stuff from work!
My office and living room are mess of old statements, stacks of floppy disks and a heap of binder clips. The binder clips I removed from stacks of papers I threw out.
Whenever you clean anything, I mean really clean up, things usually look worse before they look better.
But you toss out the old, give away what you don’t need and slowly but surely, you’re making space.
I wish cleaning out useless beliefs were as easy!
Don’t blame me!!!
I’m doing yard cleaning right now and I just broke my third rake!
Ick. I know that ‘extra mess’ syndrome of spring cleaning! Currently wading through it here too!
I cleaned off my desk the other day. I usually get rid of piles that haven’t been touched in some time. I don’t even bother to look through them. It just gets tossed. That may be the wrong way to do it but I believe everything I really need is in an electronic format, not on paper.
HMTKSteve: I am not blaming you!! I didn’t see no warranties in your instructions and I looked at them as a pointer in the right direction. No worries.
You have 3 rakes?
It’s been a long time since I’ve had to rake leaves but hmmm…I think they actually have different types of rakes. But you broke 3 of ‘em?
Sue: I haven’t been able to visit too often but didja ever get your bathroom (shower/tub) redone?
Since you’re a pro when it comes to cleaning (and I do know there is a difference between cleaning and organizing!) are you more or less obssessive about it?
I’ve had those cardboard file boxes – the sturdy kind for years. But they were in need of an upgrade! I have only 2 of ‘em from back when I had a cubicle and I opened them (it’s been years) and pretty much tossed out 85% of the contents, with 10% being the hanging folders themselves and 5% being papers I should hold on to.
I may have purchased too many plastic file bins (4) but I can still use the bins as bins. I never really have to hunt for documents – I’m fairly organized – but the have been spread around my home. Plus some stuff is/was just too old – 1998?
UT: Well…not everything is available in “soft copy” but I think most of my finances can be done online and most of companies provide online statements. It’s great! I have a couple of bills I have to pay by check. What a hassle – it costs me another 41 cents, too! Plus it costs them the salary of someone to process it.
Spring must be that time because I also just was cleaning up around my place this weekend. I realized that I had been just kind of tossing papers around every which way. Those expandable file folders sure are nifty!
As for the server/blog admin stuff, that’s pretty cool that you at least tried it on your own! I’m sure that it’s going to be something small that you can figure out!
Derek: Yeah, I purchased some both letter and legal sized file envelopes. Those are great…and not cheap! I think they are at least a buck each. What I like is that I organized one file box for things relating to my home – insurance, title, maintenance. it’s nice knowing that there’s this one organized box as opposed to a tidy looking box with a big mess inside.
Every so often it feels so freeing to just get rid of stuff. Clutter and hoarding and disorganization runs throughout my mom’s side of the family. I am glad I don’t have this problem. It’s actually clinical in some cases.
I’ve gotten the urge to make my home..homier. I hope to write up something about this (already have a post almost done) but was hoping to post that in my updated blog.
What’s been up (or down) with your blog? Seems like it’s been offline whenever I try to visit.
I wish I could be of help!
The tech side of blogging is not my forte, nor is filing or cleaning house … so to speak. My filing system is a pile here, a bag of papers there, pay stubs on the counter. Yikes!! The picture on this post is a good example, although I’m not quite to that point yet. I can only hope!
When you move this blog eventually, will it be al glammed out? Pimped?? Java widget interactive? I always like the clean look over here. I’ll bet that you are the same in real life.
Are you blogging at work? Monday is my day off this week. (hoooray)
See U later,
Happy week & good luck with the Spring Cleaning!!!!
I’m going to move WADLL to new hardware and a upgrade MT.
My version of ‘pulling everything out’ is to try to start with just repopulating the new database and recreate templates from new. I’m sure I’ve tweaked things badly in prior upgrades and things I wish worked aren’t anymore.
I also have graphics files in the wrong directories on the server. I’m going to move those, which will break them in the entry they go with, and then fix the links.
All when I have time. Well, soon, I hope.
Speedy!! I just want to move the blog to the root (.com) domain and not that /blog subdirectory.
I need to upgrade my software for security features and suchlike. When it comes to “pimpin’ my blog” I dunno about THAT! I still like a clean uncluttered look for both my blog and my home. So yeah, the look of my blog is a reflection of my personal style and taste.
I have been looking at a new theme but it’s by the same designer (Sadish) and is similarly serene.
delmer: Does MT mean “Moveable Type”? I’m using WordPress.
I might move my entire blog to a new server – am pondering. HMTKSteve does hosting now and having him as a system admin – well…can’t beat that!