You can now add some graphics to your entries or comments. AutoSmileys works like this: If you remove the spaces between the characters
: ) becomes 
: - ) becomes
; ) becomes 
: - \ becomes 
: D becomes 
: - D becomes 
8 - ) becomes 
: o becomes 
: 0 becomes 
= O becomes 
= [ becomes 
; - P becomes 
: - * becomes 
* lol * becomes 
* rofl * becomes 
Enjoy
Sorry for the new look, folks. The upgrade this morning, which should have affected all of the blogs here equally, apparently only thinks this one should have trouble. Everything seems to be functioning and I hope to have it back to the familiar look soon.
Sorry if you got extra response emails today, Carol. I was receiving an error message on your entry. I deleted it, discovered it wasn't the problem, and then restored it and its responses.
Update (2:45PM): I'm having second thoughts. There are some features in this template that I like. The ability to add the author's picture to their entry and/or their comment might be something I'd like to keep. What do you think?
Update (3PM): "Comment anonymously" just means enter your name and email address like you always do. Signing in will allow you to add a picture of yourself.
This is the new home of Our Family Blog. This url is temporary. The old one will be back in use in a few days/weeks. You can comment or place entries here just like you did before, though.
I decided to make the move to a new server because the old server WAS our problem. The reason we were getting all of those internal server errors was because the server was simply not allowing the resources necessary to run this program. It would shut it down before the process was complete. This new server hasn't done that.
I have to change everyone's password back to what it was or to a new one. To import the entries from the old software, I had to give everyone the same password.
On those lines:
Please send me an email with what you want your password to be. The only one I have on record is Carol's. I'm just not sure about the rest of them. Thankfully, it's not a big ordeal for me to change them because I know what the password is now.
There are still a lot of files, particularly image files, on the old server. They will not be lost but it will take me some time to put them back here. It's a massive, time-consuming chore that I can only do on nights and weekends as time and energy permit. I didn't want to continue adding on to the old server with all of its problems any longer. Thankfully, I should only have to do this huge amount of work once.
Right now, all images are displaying because our entries are pointing at the old server but they won't when I tell the internet to point CrabAppleLane at the new one. I'll have to transfer them to the Flickr server ... again, as time and energy permit. This does not apply to any pictures posted since February 23, 2007. Those will be fine.
Everything that you see here should work. This new software has a lot of cool features but some of the add-ons that I had installed in the older one don't have updated versions to work with this one. One of the cool new features is "auto save". Most word processing programs like WordPerfect or Microsoft Word save your work at certain intervals. The blog is now periodically saving your entries, too. That's excellent for those times when you lose your internet connection, lose power at home, or whatever other nuisance that can come up occurs. I haven't had to see how this works yet but maybe it's like having a spare tire. You maybe won't get a flat if you have one. I love having a three-column layout. The older version could have had three columns if I could have figured out how to make it work. I also love the author archives there in the second column.
You'll also notice a few more tools at your disposal for your entries. Making large, large, large print is easy. You can also strikethrough, which is kinda fun, too. When you preview your entry, you will see it EXACTLY as it will appear on the blog.
The Birthday plug-in and the "On This Day in The Family Blog" plug-in don't work. Hopefully, their makers are hard at work updating their software because I liked them. "Recent Comments", which I also liked, is causing big problems here and I won't put that back until its resolved.
The road sign that was on the old blog might come back. Just not sure where I want to place it. I kinda like that red title bar at the top.
I'm not finished. There are more features to come. Again, it will be done as time and energy permit.
What do you think?
Katie wins a prize. Her comment was the 5000th one here. 5000! This has really been amazing. Everyone reading this should take a bow. You make this blog what it is. Thanks and enjoy. I want to be 10000, though.
I’m sure everyone here has experienced the “Internal Server Error” message. It was happening with increasing frequency both in posting new entries and making comments. I know it frustrated everyone, especially ME. Crossing my fingers now, I think we may have the worst of that behind us. There were many, many causes for it but the biggest one was resolved last night. Although my lax maintenance didn’t have anything to do with our problems, I still need to be a little more diligent on website maintenance than I have been. The blogs have grown tremendously since we started them. Number of entries, number of pictures, number of comments, number of readers, etc. It's impossible for me to sift through all of those files without a somewhat more organized system.
For this blog and the CrabAppleLane Blog, I’m going to start using FlickR for our posted pictures. I’m doing this for a few reasons but the biggest one is maintenance. Unfortunately, I only have one FlickR account. Unless you want to open your own FlickR account (If you do, I recommend you give their free account a try), send your photos and words to me with your blog password and I’ll be happy to post them for you. I can do a few cool things now. For instance, look at the picture below. Click here to enlarge.
We now have a great deal more space for pictures and I’ve only scratched the surface on the possibilities. Please do not feel like you’re imposing on me by sending your stuff to me. This is my preference. It will make my maintenance easier.
This will not affect any other kind of non-picture posting.
I performed a software upgrade this morning. So far, it looks like it went smoothly but let me know if you see something wonky or if you have any trouble doing anything that you didn't before.
Thought I'd mention that this blog was three years old on Saturday, August 5. Remember this? I meant to mention it that day and maybe say something to mark the occasion. What can be said? It has been a remarkable endeavor made possible only by the fabulous contributions of our family. Take a bow, everyone.
Also, does everyone have my new email address? If not, leave me a comment on this entry and I'll send it to you. The old one was deleted this morning.
I upgraded our blog software last night. It will appear a little different when you login but it works the same. Having the tools on the left side instead of the right might take some getting used to but you guys are beyond letting things like that freak you out, thankyouverymuch. As always, let me know if you are having trouble with any of it or notice something that shouldn't be.
I’m kind of a fanatic about upgrading. I like staying up-to-date on software mainly because upgrades are easier when you are upgrading to the next version from the last version. Ultimately, you almost have to upgrade eventually and it is generally more difficult if you are several versions behind.
I've removed my email address from the blog site. I'm sure you all have it anyway. I'm going to be changing my email address as soon as I can decide on one. Spammers cannot harvest anyone's email address here any more. The only one they could harvest here for the last few years is mine. Everyone here has probably gotten at least one spam comment email from the blog. I want to emphasize that the spammer is not contacting you directly. They are leaving a comment on the blog and the blog is simply notifying you that someone has commented on your entry. Unless you, yourself, put personal information in one of your entries, no one can get it here.
Readers who want to comment here or at any of the CrabAppleLane blogs are no longer required to preview their comments. That was an anti-spam measure that I hope is no longer required. It served us well but it was a bit of an obstacle and a delay. Most overcame it and I am grateful for that. We know we can go back to doing so if it turns out we have to at some future date. For now, enjoy the ease of use.
How's everyone doing?? After watching the news, it looks like some areas are slowly recovering and others have a long way to go(before it even starts). Any idea when you may be allowed back into your homes? Is there any talk of when/if school will start in New Orleans? Such a massive job to be completed.
How are Janine, David and Katie doing? I assume Angela, Christina, Elizabeth and Aunt Ginnie are still at Sue's. What's the latest from Robbie?
John is "stationed" in Laurel, Mississippi---have lots of crews there working on the cleanup. He said he's met a lot of nice people(workers and residents). Weather is HOT(95) and humid which takes a toll on everyone. He's spent parts of some days lost, trying to find the dump sites, crews etc due to streets not being named or just poor maps. Kind of frustrating for him(who has a pretty good sense of direction). After 3 days of sleeping on the floor of the Ramada Inn ballroom, they finally were able to get rooms(with beds!). They are working 12hr. shifts so really appreciate the shower,bed and roof over their heads. He's talked to others who have only had tents to sleep in, cold showers(if any) and certainly no amenities---this is probably the norm in the hardest hit areas.
Meanwhile, life is "normal" here. We think and talk of you often. Our continued prayers for safe and speedy recovery.
Also, even though they don't have a computer---Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad. 55years!!
Happy Anniversary to Dan & Pam tomorrow too.
Our home is open to any of our family members, please don't hesitate to call us. If there is anything we can do please tell us.
Our number is: 1-952-443-3214
PJ and Terri Tompkins
I just upgraded the blog. Let me know if there are any problems, quirks, whatever......
More here.
Our Family Blog is two years old today. We're now 700-plus entries and 3000-plus comments along. When you look at this rather dull entry, you might wonder why anyone would want to participate. I know I wonder. The evolution, growth, and charm of this endeavor was not envisioned or planned. It just happened and I’m happy to see everyone still enjoys it. I hope the 3rd year is as good and as fun as the first two. Take a bow, EVERYONE. You make it what it is. I think its awesome and a treasure.
See you tonight, Mom.
Last year, while I was in Minneapolis for the Reunion, I asked for guest blogger volunteers for my CrabAppleLane Blog. It seemed like a fun thing to do. It was quite successful and I enjoyed the guest bloggers entries immensely. I'm extending that invitation to the bloggers and readers here as well. I am taking a break from blogging next week (June 27 through July 1) although I will still be reading and participating through comments. The CrabAppleLane Blog has a different audience and you would quite probably find it as fun as I do.
If you’ve never blogged before, here’s your chance to see what it is all about. If you already blog, here’s a chance to do something different and shamelessly plug your own blog to maybe some different readers. If you’re interested, email me for details.
Added a couple of birthday links on the right just below the calender. Added all of the birthdays I knew and the ones I could glean here. Please add more and email me to verify that it was you that added them and not some internet surfer. Also, email me if there are corrections to be made. Some of the posts here were belated birthday wishes and I’m not sure what the actual date should be.
Just use the blog's URL: http://www.crabapplelane.net/ftb_blog/
