Why Does This Blog Look So Sucky?
Posted by Robert Stacy McCain on December 20, 2009
Because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing yet, that’s why. This is the first post of the new WordPress version of the blog, and those who’ve followed The Other McCain on Blogger for nearly two years will have to wait while Smitty and I customize the look of this new thang, which will take time.
The reason I stuck with Blogger as long as I did — despite the constant pleading of fellow bloggers who are all about the superior coolness of WordPress — is that Blogger is extremely user-friendly, has lots of built-in widgets, and is easily customized. While I’ve been a contributor at several blogs run with WordPress software (including the Hot Air Greenroom and Right Wing News) I’ve never been an admin on a WordPress site, and the learning curve is rather steep.
So have patience while Smitty and I tinker around with the gizmos here until we have something semi-presentable. If you’re a WordPress wizard, feel free to e-mail Smitty (with CC to me) and offer any helpful suggestions. But keep in mind that we’re maintaining our steadfast commitment to cheapness, using the free WordPress software. Please hit the tip jar to help ease my pain, but don’t expect me to spend that money on any fancy software package right now. Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll have cell-phone service after Tuesday.
The Other McCain will continue as usual at Blogger until we’ve got the new WordPress thang sufficiently presentable to call it THE Other McCain. We hope to have this changeover complete by Jan. 1, which will then give me a breather before flying out to Pasadena to cover the BCS Championship. (Hit the tip jar — ROLL TIDE!)
That’s all for now, except for the usual wise-ass remarks from commenters.
William Teach said
If y’all want any help, more than happy to. Pretty good with CSS and stuff.
Dell said
Instantly, one very nice feature is the ability to actually comment!
I’ve tried – over at the “other place” – numerous times and never get past the sign-in box before being invited to buzz off.
Am looking forward to “engaging”, thanks to the new format!
CGHill said
Actually, for most people who don’t want the hassle or expense of their own server space, I tend to recommend Blogger over WordPress, simply because Blogger’s free package is a bit more customizable than the one offered by WordPress. On your own, you can do things with WordPress that Blogger users never dream of (or so they say; God knows I haven’t), but the free WordPress deal keeps the lid on.
Ali A. Akbar said
Told you to go wordpress.
Dave C said
Blogger is a bit more idiot proof..
Hence why I like it.
Ran / Si Vis Pacem said
FIRST!!
Dandapani said
Hello, is this thing on?
Dave C said
I’ve had trouble with clips from Hulu not playing on wordpress.. No issues with Blogger.
Anyone else have that?
nuke said
if hosted on wordpress.com, try the vodpod widget here
smitty1e said
I guess the name has to stay the same, for brand and notoriety reasons. Still “The McCain Mutiny” would have been finalist. Pardon my nautical bent.
Patrick said
As I said over there… Get self hosted. rsmccain.com has a nice ring to it.
http://www.rsmccain.com/ is also available.
You can get it though here, where I got my domain registered:
http://hover.com
Very reasonable.
Site5.com has awesome hosting packages:
http://www.site5.com/in.php?id=65680-49
Now, if you’re REALLY poor and the Blog gets LESS that 100K hits in a month, You can check out this guy, who’s giving me MY hosting:
http://ewfmedia.com/?page_id=10
If you wanna business with him, I can get you two hooked up, as he is local to me and good kid too.
Again, If you get ahold of me via e-mail, I can discuss with you on importing all of the OLD Blog’s archives and such, it is no trouble at all. I’ll even do it for free and Free is always a good thing. IYKWIMAITYD!
Patrick said
Hey my last comment went into the moderation que, because of the links. rescue it, please.
liberexmachina said
Some hints from the top of my head:
1) WordPress does not like people using the free service to run ads or ring the tip jar bell on their blogs. You might want to pay for something a little more full-fledged if you want to switch over here permanent-like:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/advertising/
2) As far as spiffing up the place goes, a good place to start would be WordPress’ support pages. Again, the fancier stuff requires some cash money.
http://en.support.wordpress.com/
I am also too cheap to pay out for the fancy stuff. Let me know if ya’ll need any help.
Stacy’s Blogging at New Digs said
[...] them out here, and update your [...]
killtruck said
I’ll be linking the bejesus out this.
guinsPen said
I say unsucky.
Penguins said
Well, except for the capital G “guins.”
Enoch_Root said
likewise, Stacy – my crew designed POWIP for Dan, gratis. If you can manage having a company run by a Papist assist, let me know. Dan has my email.
- Enoch
Under Construction said
[...] You think McCain’s the only guy with a new site in town? Algore’s inner-webs are a big place, my [...]
guinsPen said
I was serious about the vanished “unsucky.”
The grey unclutteredness is easy on the eyes.
Collins will vouch for me.
K~Bob said
Very nice. Take it slow, let it grow. Don’t follow Michelle Malkin’s lead on design. I hate that design. Stick with a wider central column, or get rid of a column.
serr8d said
Ahhhh, fresh digs. I will bookmark it.
If you need any graphics work, let me know. You will prolly want to get something like a Photobucket account for images (maybe one of the other image hosting sites…Photobucket gave me fits about a couple of ‘Rule 5′ hotties I’d uploaded; there’s probably a better site out there now. Flickr is not so good for hosting, either.)
Mike said
Just make sure to add Fishersvillemike in the links.
Dave C said
Why not call this site “The Other Other McCain”?
dandapani said
Are we there yet?
urbandaddy said
The site doesn’t look “sucky”. Besides… It’s all about the content, not the appearance. Right?