So I'm trying to set up my blog, and basically need help with, oh...everything.
...but I'll start with just a few things.

My blog is (temporary url) here.
It's running on WP software, but it is self-hosted. I'm going to get my Uncle to help me set up my own domain...
We have a custom theme in place, and I'm still working on that.
I want to change the font in the header (and maybe elsewhere, but mostly in the header.
I want to change the black spots (the page tab at the top might be fine, but the post title and a couple other things I want to be an off-gray, I think).
I need help getting a "subscribe by email" button onto it...believe it or not I can't even figure that out on my own.
I want to know if people think the colors etc. are at all uncomfortable, or if they work well.
I want to know what people think of the design in general, and of any suggestions anyone might have for that...
I want to know what people think of the title (and if I should use the title for the url with a ".com" at the end, or something else) and subtitle.

And...probably everything else. I may as well state what I plan to do with the blog so people can give more informed suggestions:
I'm planning on sharing random thoughts (as the title implies), pictures I take/have taken (though it may be awhile because I don't have a working camera), I'm planning on sharing stuff about my fantasy world, Vadra, and current stories, I'm planning on sharing day-to-day stuff if I feel like it, like excerpts or quotes or links...and I'm planning on reviewing books, movies, music, etc. on it.

Any words of wisdom, advice, anything?

http://www.w3schools.com/

This is a great, free online site that goes over everything about creating a website from using Java Script to everything else. It may or may not relate to word press but is a great tool to use to learn the basics of website building. If you branch out of Wordpress or want to add some additional features this will be a great tool.

http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Lessons

This is your stop for Wordpress. Read it, learn it, marry it if you want but I suggest courting it first and seeing if you two are a good match. Crazy kids these days....

I'll answer the rest of the questions when I can.

Wordpress? *dies*
*revives a bit*

The thing with Wordpress is that it doesn't read and use all HTML we type--or so a friend told me. You can't change your template until you've paid for it. Or the fonts either. And I think there's a "subscribe by e-mail" button. *looks at Wordpress site* Nope, there isn't. At least, not in the one I use for work.

I like the grey background, but grey text against it sometimes makes me go . I like the map.

I will return when I've figured some more of WP out.

EDIT: Wait! I think you can have a "subscribe by e-mail" button. Go to your dashboard, then click "appearance" and then "widgets." There's something that's called "Follow blog via e-mail." I'm not sure if it's the one you want, though.

*dances around* My big brother is getting a blog! My big brother is getting a blog!

...

Hmm... unfortunately, I don't think I'll be of much help. I do know that the gray color of the background kind of bothers me though...

Wordpress is very confusing...

I've had one for awhile and am still figuring it out. I do think you should be able to find the "subscribe by email" button somewhere in widgets on your dashboard though.

*checks*

Yes, go to your dashboard, appearance, hunt down the widget and drag it into place like you mean it. That should do it.

As for the rest:

Thanks Roager! *makes note to study these later*



Strange. I haven't paid for anything and I've been changing stuff...




I can't see it.



You'n me both...

@Renna - =D

@Eva - Thanks. =) Um...I'm still trying to figure that out. I of course want to blog about writing, but I have no idea how that would take shape since I don't feel I have much to offer on that topic yet. Or really any other topic...
Probably mostly just going to post on what's going on with my writing, and I'll also review books I'm reading and maybe (if anyone ever reads it) try to get a discussion going if it's a book that would work well for that. Then I'll also have a page for Vadra (my story world).
Basically, if I feel like posting it, I probably will...

I've been wondering about that, and it looks like quite a few people have trouble with it. =P Problem is...now I have no idea what to do with it. *is not a designer or color person*

I agree about the header, thanks for reminding me about that...as anyone can now see from clicking the link, the map image doesn't work for the header anymore...I wasted a lot of time trying to get it to work. =P Now I have a cute chipmunk, though...

I want the humorous sound...because everyone will know sooner or later that I'm incapable of being serious. xD So do you think the problem will possibly solved when the colors are changed a bit?

Thanks everyone for your help and thoughts...
*will have to look at color schemes and try to figure out a more eye-friendly one*

There's Wordpress.COM and Wordpress.ORG; the latter is the free-as-in-speech-as-well-as-pizza software that you can run on your own server, and is obviously what Wolf is running. The former is a hosting site using a customized version of the software run by its creators, and offers a generally-acceptable level of functionality for free but restricts some features as paid upgrades (and, for security reasons, doesn't let you install arbitrary plugins). Idril's friend is probably thinking of the hosting site. (Which is where I have my blog, by the way, which is how I know this. )

That makes sense, thanks for clearing that up.

Okay now I've messed up the color on it too...I don't know what to change it to, and I'll have to tweak things all over again with the text, etc. too...
*edit* And NOW I have another theme entirely unscathed by my, er, "creativity".

I agree with your sentiment there. I find blogger very easy to work with, Wordpress looks so confusing.

I'm glad you're getting a blog, Lycanis! I shall stalk faithfully. Unfortunately I can't be much help by way of design when it comes to Wordpress stuffs, but if you ever move to blogger, let me know! I helped Airi with hers, and really enjoyed it.

Thanks Bushy!

I hate both, and my Uncle recommended wordpress, so... XD

Ahh, but Blogger can let little Bushies in to tweak stuffs.

Yeah... *wilt consider blogger*

I've only used Wordpress (and only Wordpress.com at that), but as a reader Blogger has one misfeature that annoys me so much I would never consider switching: every single page on a Blogger blog submits at least one form in the background every time I load it, which (since I have encryption-related warnings enabled as a matter of basic web security) triggers "The information you have entered is to be sent over an unencrypted connection and could easily be read by a third party. Are you sure you want to continue sending this information?" warnings at least once (more if you have some plugins or widgets installed) on every page load.

Wordpress also, from what I've heard, gives you arguably better statistics (for example, it doesn't count your own visits as "hits").

Yes. That. Thanks for explaining, kingjon. I always fall apart when it comes to Wordpress.

Wolferl, I'm a Blogger person, so, echoing Bushy, if you ever do decide to switch to Blogger, and you need help, I will willingly help you.

I agree with Eva. Greyscale is pretty serious. I like the torn paper edges, but I miss your map. Maybe you could put it somewhere?

This is a fascinating topic, as I'm looking into getting a blog on wordpress as well. So I'm glad to see what people think and what kinds of problems you're having, Wolf...only because problems help solve things. I'm wondering what theme you're using, as there seem to be a million-and-a-half different ones out there (some for free, others not so much). I'd also like to hear about how you structure your domain because that's the main problem I'm running into right now.

I don't profess to know much about Blogger, but from the reviews I've read, Wordpress is a more desirable platform. Well, strike that, because it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

I'll be sure to pop over sometime and have a looksee.

As far as I remember about the differences between blogger and wordpress is that wordpress has more options, is more thought out, and more...sophisticated, or something. There are things about blogger that really annoyed Jay, so he always used wordpress. However, I think that blogger, on the other hand, is simpler. Which would mean easier to use without a lot of help.

I like the look of the blog you got right now, but it doesn't really seem to fit the purpose and essence of it, to guess from your copywriting. Maybe something a little more light and random? You can disregard my opinion as you please....

True.


True again.

I've also read that Wordpress is more professional-looking, while Blogger has a more amateur appearance. I was reading an article earlier, and some people preferred Blogger, thinking Wordpress was too complicated, while others had the opposite view. So it's more of a case-by-case opinion, depending on what you need and the feel you want.

*nods* Many use Wordpress because it's more "sleek" and professional. Others use Blogger for its simplicity. But those who use either have contrasting opinions of the other. ...so it really depends.

I use Blogger for personal blogs, but for the blog/website we have at work, it's Wordpress-based, which is why I had to learn Wordpress (and still am learning!).

(I had to laugh at the comment you placed, Wolferl. )

I'm not saying much on here lately because I'm kind of overwhelmed (partly just by the whole idea of a blog and partly just with other stuff), but I'm appreciating everyone's input.

I hope to, I'm planning on having a page/section of the site be about Vadra, and the map will hopefully be on there.


What do you mean by my copywriting?

Wikipedia's definition of copywriting: The act of writing copy (text) for the purpose of advertising or marketing a product, business, person, opinion, or idea. The addressee (reader, listener, etc.) of the copy is meant to be persuaded to buy the product advertised for, or subscribe to the viewpoint the text shares.

That was the first line; there's a lot more. Hope that explains it.

It does, thanks. I think I had a vague idea that was what it meant, but I wasn't sure before...

So I think that the theme's essence does fit with that of some of the things I want to post about, such as writing, etc. but it doesn't fit the otherworldly essence I want for the posts on Vadra.
Unfortunately I haven't the knowledge or skill to make my own theme...

Well, apparently, there's supposed to be a way to format pages in WordPress so that they're not all alike. It's called Page Templates, and lets you select different templates for different pages. This might only apply to the .org themes, as I've read that the .com themes have fewer manipulation options.

I know exactly how you feel, because I'm facing the same situation right now. How do I format my site? Which theme is best? What is the focal point and how do I attain that?

The good news is that there's tons of info online. Just type "WordPress tips" or something like that into the search engine and see what you can come up with.

I was thinking that might be true...but couldn't remember for sure. That should definitely help.

Yes, I'll have to do that...maybe tomorrow evening. *hopes he does*

I've been working on my bio to put on the blog, and tomorrow I'm planning on getting it set up with my Uncle's help tomorrow...I'll be starting out with just the blog, and then add the page for Vadra when I can.

* waits in anticipation *

Can't wait to see it, Wolferl!

Well, I found out today that someone actually does already have the domain I wanted. It looks like they are wanting to sell it, but...I don't think I want to bother with that.

So now I have to think of either a variation of 'AnotherOtherworld', or else think of something entirely different.

I've thought of changing it to "AnotherPen"...but I'm not sure if that's silly-sounding or not.
Anyway, if I did that, I could have a subdomain for Vadra called "AnOtherWorld, and they'd sort of fit.

Here it is. This is the launch post, there's one other. http://www.another-otherworld.com/2012/ ... ine-eight/
Any and all feedback on posts, layout, text in sidebar, etc. is appreciated, yea, craved.

Yay!! * clicks *

Hurrah! *clickeths on the linketh* I'll let you know my thoughts, Wolferl.

Thanks.