Building a Web Site

In May I started volunteering with the North Anoka County Emergency Foodshelf  (NACE). I originally joined to help with grant writing and helping at events but quickly got more involved. In addition to helping with grants, I am now a member of the NACE Board of Directors and have gotten involved with marketing. 

I was amazed to discover that NACE did not have a presence on any social media networks nor did they have a website. So early on I set NACE up on Facebook and as of yesterday, they now have a website. 

As a non-profit that is heavily relied upon by the people in our community at all times and particularly during our current economic times, budget available for marketing is nil. So, we did the whole thing for about $10. Yes, you can have a Facebook page for free, pay a small amount for a domain name (in this case www.nacefoodshelf.org), and then use Google sites (again for free) to create a workable web site. All for about $10 a year for the domain name. 

And most importantly, you can be a Non-Tek and create your own website and you don't need to understand HTML, Java Script or Drupal.  Sites like Facebook, MN Gives, YouTube, etc. will provide you with the HTML code needed to embed their links into your website, so all you have to do is cut and paste. 

With Google sites (yes, you will need a Gmail account), templates are available so you can start with a basic layout and theme and then add and change as you need to. You can add additional pages, change the layout or color, add tables, pictures, etc. Mostly with the click of a link or a quick upload. And I mean quick. Using the content from Facebook and some emails I had received from the NACE director, I created their basic web site in about three hours one afternoon. Yes, it is still a work in progress, but NACE is now on the World Wide Web.  I do know that some technical stuff has rubbed off on me over the years of living with a tech guy, but even if it takes 6 hours, that's pretty amazing to have your site in less than one working day.

And most importantly, you will have a presence on the Internet. And in this day and age that is critical for any business - small or large: non-profit or for-profit.

W.W.W. Wednesday (6/1//11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. I am reading Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown and still working on The Referral Engine Teaching Your Business to Market Itself  by John Jantsch  and listening to The Serpent's Trail by Sue Henry.  

2. This week I read The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil. At first I didn't think I would be able to finish it. I was having trouble keeping up with the language and was concerned that the main character might snivel too much. I persevered and am glad I did. I really enjoyed the characters, the knitting and the strength shown in the book. I have ordered the second in the series.


3. Next on my shelf  is nothing - I really need to finish the Referral Engine book and must get some knitting projects done this week.

W.W.W. Wednesday (5/25/11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. I am reading The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil, The Referral Engine Teaching Your Business to Market Itself  by John Jantsch  and listening to The Serpent's Trail by Sue Henry.  

2. This week I read The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison. It's number 6 in the Hollows series and was as expected. Interesting characters and lots of emotions with a good storyline but I have some difficulty following the Ever After and some other background parts of the book. I just can't imagine what it's like so that is difficult for me.

3. Next on my shelf  is Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.

To iPad or not to iPad?

So John says I need one and I wonder why? What will I do with it? What will I use it for?

To help me answer these questions, I've been researching the iPad on the internet and messing around with our iPod Touch to see what other things I could be using that for besides Angry Birds, Quick Cues and Me Moves (two apps for kids with Aspergers and ADHD respectively).

For starters, after spending 30 minutes on the Apple website, I didn't come up with more than the iPad being a large smart phone without the telephone capabilities. Since I have a feeling there's more to it than that, I started looking into blogs and articles about the iPad.

The first issue I see is Internet access. An iPad would work great for me to do some work while sitting at appointments or swimming lessons or karate or, well you get the idea waiting for my kids. However, I'd have to pay the extra money for the 3G and then pay for monthly access fees. Guess I'll just use my iPhone for email, etc. while waiting.

I love to read and iPad has a Kindle and Nook app along with its own e-reader. Great  - but it's more expensive than just buying a Kindle. So if that's all I'm going to use it for that doesn't make sense either.

I'm not in marketing or sales and don't do trade shows so don't need the option of showing a demo or presentation quickly.

However, I do give presentations and am on different committees where I could really use the information access without dragging along my laptop and worrying about the battery life. And we are a technology company so keeping up-to-date with technology and our customers is a must. And my kids would really love the games, movies and books on long car rides. Who am I kidding - I would too!

Your thoughts?

So, I definitely don't need to shell out the extra money for the 3G version and I really don't "need" an iPad but it would be really cool and fun. And I could use it for work and community involvement. What a dilemma.

W.W.W. Wednesday (5/18/11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. I am reading The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison and listening to The Serpent's Trail by Sue Henry.  

2. This week I tried to read Love Me to Death by Allison Brennan but ended up taking it back to the library after about 50 pages. I just couldn't get into it.  

3. Next on my shelf  is The Referral Engine Teaching Your Business to Market Itself  by John Jantsch and The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil.

W.W.W. Wednesday (5/11/11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. I am reading Love Me to Death by Allison Brennan. A book I picked up at the library because it looked interesting and I have started listening to The Serpent's Trail by Sue Henry.  

2. This week I read Kindred Crimes by Janet Dawson and Bone Deep by Darian North, listened to Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson, finished Twitter Power 2.0 by Joel Comm and attempted to read Fruit Baskets Volume 1 by Natsuki Takaya, et al. 

Kindred Crimes was an enjoyable PI mystery. I have ordered the next book in the series and hope it will be as good. Regarding Bone Deep I usually prefer series just because I like getting to know the characters as much as I like the story but I decided to try Bone Deep because I an interested in anthropology. I've now requested another book by North after staying up late last night just to finish it! Fatally Flaky was my last Catering Mystery. After finding myself yelling at the characters because they were annoying me, I realized there are too many books out there to continue with books I don't really like. I attempted to read a manga book and got about 1/3 through before giving up. I have to admit confusion with the plot and the characters. Maybe someone can explain them to me. Twitter Power 2.0 was a helpful read. I learned a lot about how to use Twitter to help our business. Now I just have to work on implementing all I learned.

3. Next on my shelf  is The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison. I read the first five books in the series a few years ago and then took a break from The Hollows for a while. We'll see if I'm drawn in enough to continue with the series again.

W.W.W. Wednesday (5/4/11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. I am in the middle of Kindred Crimes by Janet Dawson.  I'm also still reading Twitter Power 2.0 by Joel Comm.  I'm making progress on it though! I am also listening to Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson in the truck.

2. I just finished Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. I was not sure that I would like it all and had to start it twice but then I couldn't put it down. The characters are well-written and believable while much of the story is horrifying.  Susan Ward definitely reminded me of Lisbeth Salander from the Stieg Larsson's series. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

3. Next on my shelf  is Fruit Baskets Volume 1 by Natsuki Takaya, et al. My daughter is very into Manga books so I want to understand more what she is reading but haven't gotten to it yet.

W.W.W. Wednesday (4/20/11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. I am still reading Blood Money by Thomas Perry this week. It's the 5th book in the Jane Whitefield series. I'm also reading Twitter Power 2.0 by Joel Comm.  Now that spring is here, I just don't read as much.

2. Just finished Asperger's Syndrome, The Universe and Everything: Kenneth's Book by Kenneth Hall. I was impressed that a 10 year old did such an excellent job writing about his viewpoints but did not let my daughter read it. The book comes across that the world and everyone in it revolves around Kenneth and should change to fit his needs and that's something we don't want Brittany to live by. 

3. Next on my shelf are Heartsick by Chelsea Cain, Peter's First Easter by Walter Wangerin Jr. (a Good Friday read with my son) and Fruit Baskets Volume 1 by Natsuki Takaya, et al. My daughter is very into Manga books so I want to understand more what she is reading.

Planning a Vacation in 2011 versus 1978

This summer John, the kids and I are planning a trip to Colorado and Arches State Park in Utah. We will be driving and camping and are deciding where to visit and where we want to stay. So I've started following @Colorado and @TravelUtah on Twitter and now like Colorado and Utah on Facebook. I have signed up for electronic newsletters for both states and have been to their state tourism websites. I also ordered hard copies of their travel guides from their websites. As we continue to plan, we will research campground options at RV park review websites and will make reservations in advance on-line. We will search travel forums and blogs and strike up conversations with people on Twitter to find out places we need to make sure we visit.
During the trip we will use the Droid for navigation and to find good restaurants and other places to stop along the way.

This is so much different from a 6 week trip my parents planned  from Montana to the eastern United States in the summer of 1978. We took off in our pickup with the truck camper on back and had three basic destinations in mind: Ohio to visit Air Force friends of my parents;  Boston to visit my Great Uncle and a visit to Washington, D.C. Other than that, we had no plans - no reservations - no timelines.
It was an awesome trip. We ate fresh lobster on Cape Cod, visited a miniature horse farm in Vermont, toured the Hershey factory in Pennsylvania, spent time in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and rode up the St. Louis Arch. We visited Gettysburg, Philadelphia, D.C. and Boston. It's one of the best memories of my life.
When I asked my Mom how they planned for this 6 week trip, she said they didn't. They had the three destinations in mind and discovered things to do and places to camp as we went. She assumes they may have stopped at visitor's centers in states we visited but is not sure and knows they did not contact any place in advance via phone or snail mail. And they had to use maps, not a gps!
My how times have changed.

We are looking for suggestions of places to see and things to do in Colorado and southeast Utah this summer. Leave a comment if you have any ideas. Thanks in advance!

W.W.W. Wednesday (4/13/11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. House Rules by Jodi Picoult. Still struggling through it. I'm reading a couple chapters then off to something else. So I also just started Blood Money by Thomas Perry. It's the 5th book in the Jane Whitefield series.

2. Just finished Tainted by Julie Kenner and The Knitting Diaries by Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery and Christina Skye. Tainted was an okay read but I definitely prefer the demon hunting soccer mom series - maybe because that fits my life more! I love to knit so have read all of Macomber's Blossom Street books. They are quick and relaxing reads.
3. Next on my shelf are Twitter Power 2.0 by Joel Comm (still haven't gotten to it yet) and I have no idea. Most of the books on my shelf are more thoughtful reads and the spring weather is affecting my focus .

New Customer Discount

Now through May 31st, 2011, new customers will receive a discount for scheduling an appointment with Teks On-Site.

Just mention that you saw this blog ad and you will receive $50 off your first hour of service.

Our thanks to you for choosing Teks On-Site for your computer and technology needs.

W.W.W. Wednesday (3/30/11)

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. Flesh and Bones by Jefferson Bass. I enjoy learning about the Forensic Anthropology Center (aka Body Farm) but think maggots keep me from changing my career path.

2. Just finished Bloodlines by Jan Burke. I enjoy her writing style.

3. Next on my shelf are Twitter Power 2.0 by Joel Comm and House Rules by Jodi Picoult. The first is for work. I'm immersing myself in the world of social media. The second is closer to home. I'm always reading about Asperger's, even fiction, to help build a better relationship and better understand my daughter.

Monday Meanderings on the Web

As part of my job as the manager for Teks On-Site, I spend a lot of time in front of the computer and sometimes I can't help but get a little sidetracked. Occasionally when I could be doing the bookkeeping or other work I'm actually creating a new station on Pandora Radio (http://www.pandora.com/)  or adding books to my wish list on Paperback Swap (http://www.paperbackswap.com/).  Which got me to thinking. I think it's great when I run across a new website and definitely have my faves and I bet you do. So each Monday I'm going to share one of mine.

You'll never know what website will show up each week. It could be about knitting, reading, technology or genealogy or just about a cool topic or website I've run across while searching for something usually unrelated. What better day than Monday to meander the web when we're all trying to get back into our work week.
So follow me on Twitter @shanaschmitz or like Teks On-Site on Facebook to find out where I've meandered on the web each week with my Monday Meanderings post.

Hope to see you there and hope to hear what great web site finds you have.

W.W.W. Wednesdays

Found MizB's blog while doing an internet search today and couldn't resist playing along. Reading is a past time enjoyed by all members of our household as proven by the four floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the basement bursting with books plus the shelves in each bedroom.

W.W.W. Wednesdays is hosted by MizB at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

1. Currently reading Bloodlines by Jan Burke #9 in the Irene Kelly series and am listening to Death Trap by Sue Henry. I always have a book on CD in the truck to help the miles go by faster.

2. Recently finished The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott and Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs. The first was to learn more about marketing with social media for work and the second is because I'm a huge fan of paranormal books. They make great escape reading.

3. Next I think I'll read Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass. Ever since I read my first Patricia Cornwell, I've been fascinated with forensic science and the body farm.

I've been a member of paperbackswap.com since 2007 and currently have over 400 books posted. Most of the books we read come from this great website that is all about readers sharing their books.