Over the last couple of days, it has come to my attention that there are many problems with the server and hosting package being used to host the Technically Motivated website, that is making it less functional than it should be. For example, I recently discovered that my host’s restrictions on the use of mail services makes TM unable to send emails through the site, making things like Password Resets, Email Subscriptions and the Contact Me form completely non-functional. I have also found that files are constantly failing to be transferred correctly using FTP, resulting in large amounts of broken or missing files – a problem that has occasionally had a negative effect on the site. These are problems I consider unacceptable.
To top it all off, I have now discovered that a problem with my host’s Database Management system means that backing up the databases may actually be an impossibility. This is TERRIBLE SERVICE and means that if anything goes wrong, the whole site could effectively be wiped without any hope of recovery!
For this reason, I have decided that for the benefit of both the site and its users; and to be able to make the site work a lot better than it does now, I am moving the entire site to a completely new server and host. While this happens, I will not be updating the current Technically Motivated website, save for posting further information about the move. Also, some functions may be disabled without warning. I ask all current users not to make any new posts or comments while the move is in progress.
Unfortunately, it appears the transition will not go very smoothly. Because I may not be able to transfer the database, a lot of information will have to be recreated at the new server, so it will take some time before the move is completed. It also means that all the comments made up to now, on all the posts, will be lost at the new location – sorry! Thankfully we shouldn’t lose much else, because I should be able to move over the actual site’s files without trouble.
Another problem is that, while the actual website’s address will remain the same – technicallymotivated.co.cc – I will need to reconfigure it to work with the new server, which means for a short while, the URL may not correctly work. I will have more on this when I know more.
I have just discovered that a bug with the site layout currently being used by Technically Motivated does not work properly when viewed on the Wii Internet Channel – in particular, part of the left side of the content is cut off and cannot be seen, even when zoomed in or out. This bug is being investigated. Until then, we recommend not using the Wii Internet Channel to view our website.
If you have noticed a similar bug in other browsers, please post it in the Comments as soon as you can, as it may help us isolate and fix it.
It’s become apparent to me lately that a glitch in my web host’s FTP services has led to the disappearance of some images used by both the main Technically Motivated blog and the associated Forums. I believe I have fixed the issues, but if you happen to notice that there is a missing image anywhere within TM, please report it to me through a Forum PM or as a comment on this post so I can check it out and correct it.
I’ve updated the Freebie section of the Forums with a simple way of keeping track of the status of Freebies. Now, all topics on the Freebie sections will have a quick mark showing whether the freebie mentioned inside is actually available, so you can see whether or not to pay attention to a Freebie topic.
By default, all new posts in any Freebie section will be automatically marked “Available”, as we assume you’re not going to talk about a freebie we can’t get any more. However, if the freebie is put on hold or expires, someone with the ability can change the status to reflect such – the other choices are “No Longer Available”, “Coming Soon”, and “Status Unknown” for ones we aren’t sure about. Easy!
I’m looking to start doing software reviews as a regular feature of TM, but there’s some things I’m looking for before I start in order to make the reviews truly professional.
One of the things I’d like to do is a “scoring system”. My idea is to have several categories that each review will cover, such as “Ease of Use”, “Value for Money” etc; and for each category I will give a score of 1-10; then the scores should be totalled and the final score shown at the bottom.
Unfortunately, I can’t find a feature to draw tables or add a scoring system anywhere in WordPress. So, I wondered if anyone knew of, or could design a good Add-On I could add to the site to give me a Scoring System like what I described, or at least will allow me to design simple table templates to do it myself.
If you know of an existing add-on or can design one for me, please let me know in the comments, or leave a reply on the Forum Topic I just created about this – it’d be a HUGE help!
I’m pleased to announce that with everything now tested; at least half of the sections now created; and some basic Rules and Regulations written up, today – August 1, 2010 – marks the official opening of Technically Motivated Forums to the general public.
The Forums will be empty for a short while as I’m the only one who’s been able to make topics there until now and I’ve been busy, but feel free to fill it up with any thoughts you all may have. Oh, and if you think there’s a serious lack of categories and sections to post in, don’t worry – more will come soon, and I’m open to suggestions too.
I’m Techie Jinji, the owner of Technically Motivated, and I’d like to formerly welcome you as one of the first visitors to my brand new site. Since you’re probably wondering what such an empty site could be good for right now, let me explain what Technically Motivated is going to be all about.
Technically Motivated is a brand new blog focused on Computers and Technology. The aim of Technically Motivated is to create a wide variety of articles discussing various technological advances around the world: from new and updated software; to useful utilities that anyone will find useful; to new hardware like smartphones – if it’s Tech, I hope to cover it. Along the way I’ll also be looking out for special stuff you might like to know about too, such as freebies. My aim is simply to make every article a useful and/or entertaining read to everybody who visits the site; and I hope you’ll bookmark and keep visiting to see what new stuff comes up.
But I want to make sure everything is what you, the visitors, would find useful and interesting. So here at Technically Motivated, every article will have an open commenting system where you can say just how useful – or not – you found something we talked about, as well as bring up any interesting side notes. And we also have a Forum for more general discussions and to give ideas for future articles.
Now I have only just started setting up this site, which is why it’s so empty right now – bear with me while I get everything up to working order. But I hope you’ll visit again soon!