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Monday
Feb222010

Really I Just Wanted To Use A Hobo Analogy

Over the weekend, I shoved a stick into a tied-up-handkerchief of my thoughts, tossed it over my shoulder, and, harmonica and tin cup in tow, hopped a redesign freight train over to Squarespace Central. It's nice here. They gave us all plush robes, and the mini-bar is always stocked with Blanton's Bourbon and Toblerone. They even have those mini jars of jam for your toast at breakfast.

So far, my tin cup (and wheat penny) is quite happy in its new little home.

There are a few reasons I decided to make the jump. First and foremost, I've wanted for a long time to have a bigger and better canvas for the Sunday Zen photos, but never knew how to design it to make that possible. There were a few other things I didn't know how to do with my site either, and Squarespace (I promise I'm not paid to say this) made it so that I could do most everything I'd been wanting to do with this site without pulling my hair out and scrambling into the netherworld of tech/web design forums where I just end up feeling mocked and alone. I'm just a lowly writer; what do I know about 301 redirects?

It's still a work in progress. I'll continue to modify the site with a few other things I've been wanting to do for a while, so please forgive any glitches or strangeness over the next few weeks. (Particularly as relates to the RSS feed; I think I have it squared away, but there's a small chance that a good deal of people fell through the cracks along the way. I hope that those who were actually interested in reading this site will find their way back here eventually.)

The saddest thing—related more to the demise of Haloscan than to switching hosts—is that all the amazing comments people have left here over the years are no longer attached to their corresponding posts.* I managed to export and save them, and until I can figure out if there's a way of importing them without too much trouble, I've them kept in a safe place to read over when I'm feeling lonely.

So come on in. Look around. Peek inside my medicine cabinet. Have some of the cheese I've laid out (just for you, Latvia). Sorry about the paint fumes; just throw your coat on the bed.

*That is, apart from the very first comment on my very first post, from the ever-supportive Jim, who also wrote one of my subsequent favorite comments when he confessed to being attracted to the actresses in birth control commercials. I brought that one to the new site just for you, Jim.

© Zan McQuade. All rights reserved.

Reader Comments (9)

I'll follow wherever you go (and welcome to Squarespace!) -- the Sunday Zen look right at home.

February 22, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKari

I really like the new interface. Would it be wrong for me to follow suit with a redesign? Do I get a discount if I tell them I know you? Do you get a kickback if I mention your post?

February 22, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterBrandon Joseph Baker

Thanks Kari! Just don't follow me into madness when I finally get there.

Brandon - How good would that be? Discounts for everyone. Squarespace seems pretty great if you're looking for an upgrade; they have an entire sectiong of their interface dedicated to photo cataloging. Maybe an entire BJB site with blog and photos in one place? Mention me anyway and see what happens...

February 22, 2010 | Registered CommenterZan McQuade

Welcome to Squarespace, friend. You're gonna love it here. :)

K.

(The place alreaady looks great.)

February 23, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKaren from Chookooloonks

Nice work, you!

February 23, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAlice

it's lovely!

February 23, 2010 | Unregistered Commentersam

Like the new space. Your Sunday photos look gorgeous in it (not that they didn't always look gorgeous before, but you know what I mean)

February 23, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterStefanie

Look at you. All grown up. I love it!

February 25, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAlexis

oh this is hot, Zan, I'm jealous. Squarespace might experience a surge in interest from your fans (me!)

February 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJess

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