Hi Eric,

Just for the heck of it, I thought I'd start this thread instead of replying directly to your last note which was the one with the server info in it... Amazingly enough, it worked just like it was supposed to right off the bat (it seems like it usually takes about 3 emails and 2 or 3 days of head banging whenever anyone tries stuff like that - so that may be a good sign).

Roughly, what I'm thinking is that we can use this thread (or others) to figure out, communicate about the process here, although I'm sure it'll be pretty simple and straighforward, as you seem to have a good grip on the basics of the forum admin stuff, and as you'll see (as soon as see), managing the the rest of the system is pretty easy (it consists of updating the Announcements and News Highights section on the main page, and that's mostly just copying and pasting). Actually, I think it's one of those things that's about 75 times simpler than people think. That probably has to do with all the code, tables, notes, pre-set stuff that arrives in that file, and the way the Announcements and News section sits in the midst of it. If I was a true software engineering genius, I'd set things up so there was a very simple "Announcements and News Highlights Management Window" that popped up with the click of a button that had 3 data entry fields in it: 1) url; 2) title; 3) highlight text blurb; and an "Enter" button, and that would be all there is to it because, in reality, that really IS all there is to it...

Anyway... The basic way I'm thinking about this is:

• I'll mind the store to begin with; while you

• Let people in the area know about your site and the system and see if you can find ways to encourage them to use it (no small task!); and

• Learn how to manage the system.

I have the much easier job. But essentially, that's the "pattern" I'd like to use in all situations like this, and I think if it can be made to work it will prove a good one.

There first thing (letting people know about the site/system and getting them to use it is the toughest part. But if that can be accomplished, the rest of it will become very easy and smooth.

Okay. That's enough for this note. Just wanted to let you know the info you sent about the server worked, I'm able to get at everything needed, and that I'm ready to go whenever you are... Last time I checked the password on the admin section was the same one I set it to originally, so I can get in there too. I'll leave you and your email address set as the administrator so that you'll automatically get copies of all postings (from anyone) to this forum. I'll add an alert for myself so that I will too. That way, anything either of us puts here will show up in the others mail box as if an ordinary email had been sent. And if we use this forum for any questions and answers pertaining to this part of things, they'll be in a nice handy spot to refer back to.

Also, you'll notice the minor html mess in this note. Just thought I'd put some in this one so you can see how it html gets put directly into forum posts (like clicking here will take you what it was that reminded me of what it was I wanted to get that server info for in the first place - I'd forgotten already!), what it looks like when it comes in the mail, and how different (better) it looks on the screen.

Okay... Seeya next time... Oh. And don't worry... We'll just delete this stuff before things get cooking (unless you want to leave it in to give folks a look at how crazy it can be behind the scenes sometimes!)

-- Bill (billdale@lakesnet.net), February 09, 1999