Newbie needs input on decisions!

[Goldhart23]

Hi there! I am quite the newbie to blogging and have an outdated computer and Windows environment, so I have a few questions before I dive into creating a business. I’m hoping you’ll take pity on me and give me some tips.
Here’s the deal:
1) I have a 1998 Dell PC w/ Windows98 that crashes about 6 times a day, that has a non-working CD-Rom drive (spits everything out), and which has a broken printer and won’t accept any other printers (apparently there are instructions missing on the CD that helps install printers that came with the computer, but which worked for my old HP printer).
2) I started a Wordpress.com freebie blog quickly without really thinking about the future of it. I just realized I cannot monetize this blog later on if I wish to, and I can’t control it as much as a blog I own outright, so I need to move to buying a domain and getting a host and then moving this site to the new site.
3) I’ve never done any website design but have started learning html through free tutorials on the web.
4) I’m disabled and on SSDI, so money is tight, but I want to create businesses that will eventually get me off SSDI so I can be independent and have a better life.

My questions are:
a) Should I wait until I have a new computer before trying to build a new website/blog from the ground up, or do you think this sad computer I have right now will be able to download and use the Wordpress software anyway? (I am putting my stimulus payment towards a new computer if I need it).
b) How do I (and how easy will it be to) move my current freebie blog from Wordpress.com to my new “domainname".com blog when it’s ready?
c) Do I need to learn everything first before I create my new website/blog? (e.g, html, xhtml, CSS, etc.)…or will the Wordpress software walk me through what I need to do? Or can I learn and apply/experiment as I go along?
d) Being disabled (partial paraplegic), I’m looking for something light I could carry in a backpack, such as a laptop or notebook pc (I have to use a walker to get around). So I wonder two things: Can a laptop or notebook do as much as my old, large desktop PC, as far as downloading Wordpress software and building the website/blog? Also, I need something as light as possible but still effective at doing what I need it to do. I’m planning up to $1200 for this new computer. Any suggestions?

Thank you so much for your input. Sorry the post is so long, but I really need some answers before I begin this journey. And at the end of it all, I won’t be a newbie anymore!

Barb

P.S.: I didn't link to my blog because it doesn't have much on it yet and it's not officially launched, either! So maybe moving it won't be too hard since it's in the early stages.

[igmistro]

Barb.

I'm not an expert on blogging software. So I'll only comment on you hardware questions. First... Please donate you current PC to the Smithsonian, personally I wouldn't run Linux on hardware that old (and broken) much less Windows. As far as laptops go - you can get one with more than enough power for your needs for as low as $500-$700. But if you do have the extra money, $1000-$1200 range will get you one that will be sufficient (with upgrades) for as much as 5 years and will probably be smaller and lighter as well.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Goldhart23

I’m planning up to $1200 for this new computer. Any suggestions?

Apple - MacBook

It's light, it's durable, it works and -best of all- it doesn't come with Windows!
Yes, I must confess, I'm an Apple fanboi...

But, really, any PC you can buy now will be light years ahead of what you have in terms of stability and performance.

As for your other questions: it's fairly easy to get WordPress up and running locally (on your own computer), where you can tinker to your hearts desire and not worry about breaking your online website. I find that tinkering is that quickest way to learn how things work.

I don't think you need to learn everything before you can start doing stuff with your new blog.

You can move your blog to your new domain easily:
- Install WordPress on your new domain (if you don't have a host yet, find one that supports WordPress installations; I'm very happy with Web Hosting by PowWeb - One Plan, One Price, but you can Google for alternatives as well)
- In your wordpress.com blog, log in to the admin section and go to Manage | Export... follow the instructions to download the export of all of your blog posts.
- Next, log in to your fresh WordPress install on your own domain. Go to Manage | Import and select the 'WordPress' option at the bottom.

Good luck!

[Goldhart23]

Thank you, igmistro and Jim! I also asked the questions in Yahoo Answers, and I am confused/questioning a couple answers I got: one person said basically that I cannot build a website using a wireless laptop (that I have to remain "plugged in" to do this); another said I need FTP to move my current stuff to the new blog. Are those things true? And, could you please take a look at what I thought was the best answer in Yahoo Answers and let me know if you disagree with anything: Here's that answer:

"1) About all you can use is the case - that'll save you about $25. And that's if you upgrade everything yourself. You can buy a decent computer for less than you can build one for.

2) You download the site (use an FTP program. If you have none, Filezilla is good and it's free.) Then just upload (Filezilla again, if the site isn't on your own computer) to the new site. You'll have to set up the database, but if it's MySQL, and you have access to phpMyAdmin (a common setup), it's pretty trivial. Just back the database up (Export) to a file (name of your choice) and download/upload that file along with all the others. Then just run the file (Import) in phpMyAdmin on the new site.

3) You should learn CSS, because you want control over the style of the page. It's not that difficult to pick up the basics. It's difficult to become an expert (I'm still working on that). But you can learn as you work. Javascript, PHP, SQL (the language, not a particular database), the technique called Ajax, DHTML (your page can build itself on the fly). Learning is good - now, on the web, in school, as you go - none of it is bad.

4) I prefer HP, but there are other good ones. (The new Macbook weighs almost nothing, but I've been using Windows for so long that a Mac would be a steep learning curve for me - probably for you.) Go into a store like Best Buy and lift few up. Acer makes good equipment. (I guess it's a personal choice - there are a few makes I won't consider, but evidently they do sell computers.)"

Thanks a bunch!
Barb

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by Goldhart23

one person said basically that I cannot build a website using a wireless laptop (that I have to remain "plugged in" to do this);

That's false. All you need is a web browser if you're going to have your host install WordPress. If you do that, making your website won't be any different from using one.

another said I need FTP to move my current stuff to the new blog.

You have many options when you're hosting a web page. You could probably upload the file WordPress exported from your old blog via your web browser though, but I've never used WordPress. To do that, you would visit your site and log into an admin panel.

If you have to move files onto the site, FTP would be the easiest way to do it but you could use an upload script provided by your host or one that you get on your website somehow, via your browser. You won't really need to do this if all you're going to do is use WordPress, but you would probably need FTP to install it if your host doesn't give you the option.

Also, you can find an FTP client for free and it's just a program like your web browser.

1) About all you can use is the case - that'll save you about $25. And that's if you upgrade everything yourself. You can buy a decent computer for less than you can build one for.

Building a computer is cheaper than buying for pretty much any computer. An old, crappy used one would probably cost less though... Also, you can't really build a laptop but you can buy a barebones one and add on the CPU, etc. I haven't seen any cheap barebones laptops...

I'm not sure what he's referring to in the first two sentances.

2) You download the site (use an FTP program. If you have none, Filezilla is good and it's free.) Then just upload (Filezilla again, if the site isn't on your own computer) to the new site. You'll have to set up the database, but if it's MySQL, and you have access to phpMyAdmin (a common setup), it's pretty trivial. Just back the database up (Export) to a file (name of your choice) and download/upload that file along with all the others. Then just run the file (Import) in phpMyAdmin on the new site.

Most of this doesn't apply to you because you have a hosted blog and not a full site. You'll have to export your posts through WordPress and then install a fresh copy on your new site. If your host can't install it for you, you'll have to set up a new database with phpMyAdmin, download WordPress like any other file, upload it to your server with FileZilla, and then load a page on your site in your browser to install it. You'll have a basic WordPress installation then and it'll be usable from that point on. You could modify it but you'll need to know HTML+CSS or PHP+MySQL depending on what you're doing.

3) You should learn CSS, because you want control over the style of the page. It's not that difficult to pick up the basics. It's difficult to become an expert (I'm still working on that). But you can learn as you work. Javascript, PHP, SQL (the language, not a particular database), the technique called Ajax, DHTML (your page can build itself on the fly). Learning is good - now, on the web, in school, as you go - none of it is bad.

There's no reason for you to use DHTML now. It never worked on all browsers and has been replaced by inprovements in JavaScript and by CSS(I think, never used DHTML)...

Anyway, if you want to make a template for your blog, you'll want to know HTML and CSS. You don't need to know them to just have a blog; WordPress comes with its own template and you can download prebuilt ones.

4) I prefer HP, but there are other good ones. (The new Macbook weighs almost nothing, but I've been using Windows for so long that a Mac would be a steep learning curve for me - probably for you.) Go into a store like Best Buy and lift few up. Acer makes good equipment. (I guess it's a personal choice - there are a few makes I won't consider, but evidently they do sell computers.)"

One thing you might want to consider is that Macs cost a lot more than PCs for the same hardware.

Also, buy computer hardware online. It's cheaper than in a store in most cases, maybe by twice as much. I haven't really been in a computer store in a while though.

Anyway, any laptop or desktop can make webpages or manage a blog. Unless you're going to play video games or something the specs don't really matter. Your computer has nothing to do with the blog unless you host it locally for testing, etc, which you don't have to do. And a notebook can do anything a desktop can do and is pretty much the same thing in a different form.

Also, computers don't degrade and become slower over time; new applications are slower. If you're going to be doing any 3D modelling, graphic design, playing video games, or compiling, you'll want a better computer as those fields either require a newer one or will benefit from a speed increase.

Most webpages are designed to support tech that's like 8 years old and there are plenty of text editors around that will also. If you don't have a lot of cash you could buy a cheap used laptop for like $500.

Web design is usually done with a text editor/IDE and a web browser. If you're programming PHP/MySQL code, you'll also need Apache, PHP, and MySQL installed but they don't use up much resources by themselves and most websites are generated in a fraction of a second, so it's OK for it to be a few times slower on a test box.

Also, all computers depreciate in value quickly. The newer ones lose value quicker than older models as they approach a cost of like $100 after enough time.

[Goldhart23]

Minsc--you are awesome!!! I can't thank you enough!

[Goldhart23]

Minsc,

I'm curious about one thing you said:

Most of this doesn't apply to you because you have a hosted blog and not a full site.

It's true I want to build a blog first, but then I want to add some static pages to the site as well. Can I do this, starting with a blog first? (e.g., like Steve's website--has a home page and you have to click a link to the blog page).

Barb

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by Goldhart23

It's true I want to build a blog first, but then I want to add some static pages to the site as well. Can I do this, starting with a blog first? (e.g., like Steve's website--has a home page and you have to click a link to the blog page).

It's possible but how hard it would be depends on the tech you're using.

Seems pretty easy with WordPress: Pages « WordPress Codex
(with newer versions)

If you're going to be making your own templates, you might want to read this: PHP: Basic syntax - Manual

That'll tell you what code PHP changes and what's left alone.

I was referring to your wordpress.com blog in that quote though; you can't access it via phpMyAdmin or FTP.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Minsc

Building a computer is cheaper than buying for pretty much any computer.

This is far from a universal truth. You still need considerable expertise to build a properly working computer from scratch and find parts that play nice. Not something for us nerds to be concerned about, but Barb here doesn't really come across as the resident computer expert (no offense).

There's no reason for you to use DHTML now. It never worked on all browsers and has been replaced by inprovements in JavaScript and by CSS(I think, never used DHTML)...

It's one and the same thing. DHTML just stands for "Dynamic HTML". Using javascript in combination with the DOM (Document Object Model) is just one (if not the) way to create DHTML.

One thing you might want to consider is that Macs cost a lot more than PCs for the same hardware.

Only when you compare them against the cheapest of cheap PCs, in which case you get exactly what you pay for: crap! Pitted against Dells and HPs, Macs aren't significantly more expensive, have far fewer problems with viruses and other nasties, last longer overall (5 years compared to 3 on average for PCs) and come with more usable software pre-installed.

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

This is far from a universal truth. You still need considerable expertise to build a properly working computer from scratch and find parts that play nice. Not something for us nerds to be concerned about, but Barb here doesn't really come across as the resident computer expert (no offense).

You could ask a hardware forum which parts you should buy. Finding the right parts should be the hard part.
You could also have a friend build it for you, if possible.

Although I was refering to just the cost of the box.

Only when you compare them against the cheapest of cheap PCs, in which case you get exactly what you pay for: crap! Pitted against Dells and HPs, Macs aren't significantly more expensive, have far fewer problems with viruses and other nasties, last longer overall (5 years compared to 3 on average for PCs) and come with more usable software pre-installed.

I meant that, now that Macs use PC architectures(Intel 64 I think), you could compare the cost of Mac and PC hardware and find that an equivalent PC is a lot cheaper(I think this is more prominent with higher-end PCs).

Other than that, I'd say OS choice is a user preference.. Most OSes can do anything any other OS can do, just differently. The pre-installed software doesn't really matter unless you don't have an internet connection and can't download freeware(you would probably have a broader selection with Windows in that area).

[Goldhart23]

Yes, you're right, Jim--I probably wouldn't dare bother trying to build my own computer!
Anyway, thanks to both of you (Jim and Minsc)--I think I have all the info. I need now to make good decisions.

I've decided to at least study html and CSS while building practice pages in Notepad on my current PC until I have enough money together to purchase a new laptop or notebook. I should be able to get the new PC in September (giving me all summer to tinker with the codes.) Then I'll transfer anything good I have come up with on my Notepad to the new PC, and then onto a good hosting site. (Speaking of which, since my CD-Rom drive doesn't work, how will I transfer Notepad files to the new PC--via email attachments? Ugh, I hate being a newbie and computer dope!)

Of course there are at least 2 good domain names I should buy now while they're still available (and just keep 'em parked until September.)
How's that for this newbie's plan?

[Goldhart23]

I forgot to mention that, of course, there would be a stage after buying the new computer that I would be downloading and using Wordpress before actually launching my new blog(s)!

[JimOfferman]

Great plan Barb!

When it comes to transfering those files, I would recommend you go with e-mail or YouSendIt - Send large files - transfer delivery - FTP Replacement. From what I can still remember from the Windows '98 days, making two computers talk directly to each other back then involved a lot of hassle and the software you needed has probably gone the way of the Dodo by now...

Happy tinkering!

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Minsc

I meant that, now that Macs use PC architectures(Intel 64 I think), you could compare the cost of Mac and PC hardware and find that an equivalent PC is a lot cheaper

Depends on how you would define "equivalent"