This morning, after reading the news of the day, and of course stumbling several of the news items of import, I also started stumbling (using StumbleUpon of course) one of my favorite categories, Web Design.

Immediately, I came across two that I would like to draw your attention to:

o CSS Basics
o Nice and Free CSS Templates

The first is a lesson-by-lesson, 18 “chapters” leading you by the hand so you can create your own website stylesheet. You can also choose to download all the chapters, or even print them all out (put in a binder, sometimes it’s easier to reference points via print).

The second web site actually gives you 11 pre-made stylesheets. From a single box on a page to a full four-column layout, all your css stylesheet components are right there! Of course this would be the easy route to take, however, I urge you to also visit and study the principles behind doing anything online.

Sure there are Wordpress, Blogger, Moveable Type, and other blog frame works from which you can work. There are also numerous html editors one can use to create web sites themselves. I, personally, believe that everyone needs to know the underlying reason and/or methods used that make the magic of a blog or website happen.

Ten years (plus) ago, I knew absolutely nothing about web page creation. In fact, my first “web site” consisted of nothing but banners centered down a page. At the time, I was thrilled to have accomplished even that much. But, as we all should know, that’s just not going to cut it out online. Visitors need a sense of uniformity and the means to navigate a website or blog. Knowing how to do this yourself, independent of the program you use, really understanding the coding involved in linking up, inserting images, creating the framework page, and navigation are but a few of the “I really need to learn this” strategies I would recommend you learn.

Then, you are no longer confined to a web site given to you (or one you pay for or use for free). You have learned a new, and highly valuable skill. In fact, for job seekers or those looking to add to their present skills, learning and implementing coding can be a good job skill enhancement.

Coding by hand is an art. Coding an entire website of say over 100 pages without understanding how it all comes together is insane. After visiting the above, you might also like to check out an article I wrote quite a while back titled, How to Learn HTML Without Even Trying.

Go for it! You can do this – it’s fun and you will never be at the whim and mercy of others. I’ve seen people pay exorbitant prices for web pages (websites) not worth a fraction of what they spent. When you learn a new skill, duh, you grow. Today is your day to do just that

How many times have you paid more than you feel you should to get information you know you must have to be successful online?

The beauty of it all is that you do not have to do this – it’s ridiculous really – when online marketing and advertising how to’s and more exist right now at paper back prices.

Trust me, I have two large computer hard drives – no make that three – stockpiled with all the “advice” and “secrets” and (supposed) “directions” every marketer and advertiser needs to know. Many, many, many of them I paid WAY too much for… rehashes of the same old same old. Sad imitations of (existing Private Label Rights (PLR)?) copy either never modified or not modified enough. In other words, extremely generic information too basic to justify its expense (if new I’d be willing to pay, but not be gouged… and I’m not new to all this).

So what do I do? I rely on staying on top of things in an economical fashion.

For instance, this weekend my Dime Sale running includes seven (7) reports, up to 350 internet usage tactics, covering: (more…)

Update Time! You might want to glance at the post below to know what I mean

I’ve spent the past week plus getting a cram course from my brother who (thank god!) understands coding, hosting, windows (which I’m not using), and Plesk and Linux (though he hates the latter).

I (using the term losely) am moving the entire Whole Hog Blogs network of massive wordpress blogs to new servers – bigger, faster, just all in all great to make the move AND save some cash in the process. Of course in the beginning, it was me doing the data gathering and him sewing it all back together.

But the learning curve has been brutual with 16-20 hour days for what seems like my life. I’m sure my brother is thinking the same thing.

I actually interrupted him while he puts together a HUGE website/blog (that I will write all about in the very near future since he’s looking of course for not only readers but WRITERS).

I am pleased to say that with only short/quick phone calls now (and not every single time LOL), I believe I have come close to mastering the art of moving small, medium, and large (well organized) wordpress blogs. There was an instance, or two, where he patiently put back together anywhere from 30,000 to 90,000 lines of code! Thank you Bob!

So the move is almost accomplished! I loved where I was hosting everyone at Rackforce, it’s just that it was impossible to pass up the bargain of a brand new server built from the ground up with over six times the storage and 10 times the backbone (for much less).

I’ve been a cpanel person all my online life, but you know even when you want to give up and run back to what’s “safe” it’s worth it to stick to your guns and learn something new! Now I’m comfortable with another way to do business using Plesk! TaDa!

Okay, I confess I’m one of the millions out there who smoke, but as god is my witness I’d surely love to quit! Recently, my sister suggested a prescription she received from her doctor that she claims worked like a charm. Of course, she was ready in her mind to stop and stop forever.

The problem is I looked that particular drug up online and, holy cow, the potential side effects are super scary. And, the worse thing is you would not know if you were susceptible to these effects until, perhaps, it was too late (one is particularly nasty!).

However, I am determined to not just “stop smoking,” but QUIT. By the word “quit” I mean to end this habit once and for all (I do believe you cannot use the word QUIT if you have merely “stopped for a while”).

Lots of people have excuses, and I, too, have my own justifications – a huge amount of stress and the fall back to easing those moments by… yes… lighting up.

Yet we are all aware that the “smoking police” are out there. Granted, they may have my best interests (and their own) at heart, but it just irks me when other people start dedicating how a person can and cannot live their individual lives. I’m not talking about the truly great laws in place like “thou shalt not kill or maim or hurt children,” but laws that other people believe are “good for me.” What comes next? I can’t read Harry Potter or buy bread because other people believe they know better or should have a say in my life? (Sorry I’ll stop that tirade and continue onward… LOL!)

Yes, not smoking would be wonderful and I know I’m going to need more than just sheer will power (trust me I know and it’s a long and messy story). That’s when I ran across the website I Can Smoke Whenever and its product the electric cigarette.

If you’re not a smoker, you won’t appreciate this as much as the millions of the rest of us most likely will and do. Here’s the opportunity, not unlike a nicotine patch (which I had rotten luck with) or gum (it pulled just about all the fillings out of my mouth I kid you not!) to eliminate the tar build up in your lungs while slowly but surely weaning yourself off nicotine. And, since the byproduct is “a transparent vapor with no odor” that produces no carbon monoxide (hence no “second hand smoke” haters to inflame), you can actually “smoke” at your desk at work, pub, a sporting event, or even cruising your favorite mall.

Of course many are wondering is the electric cigarette legal? And the answer, as of this post, is yes – it is not regulated by the TTB.

Let’s face it, we’re all working very hard online (especially if you’re reading this and similar blogs and websites on marketing and internet promoting) – if you’re a smoker, don’t you want to be around to see all that hard work pay off?

Improving your health is never a bad thing, and investigating serious ways to quit smoking should be right up there at the top of your list.

Watch the video, read the website (it’s not large) and make an informed decision for yourself. And this time just may be the FINAL time you need to ever address this habit again.

And BTW, they offer FREE shipping!

Today’s I’m doing this in reverse. Typically I post the long one on this blog with a shorter version on the other. Today, the short post is here, with the “long” (which isn’t long) version on the other.

What am I talking about?

How would you like to learn everything you need to know about putting up anything from starter websites and/or blogs to advanced and more detailed sites and… flipping them for money!?!

Whether you’re looking to cash in multiple times with multiple “starters,” (fast and easy) or big time with more extensive web sites and/or blogs, click here to read my “longer” post (which again isn’t that long) titled Learn How To Flip Websites and Blogs For Money.

Yes, I’ve read the entire 48 page eBook, and yes it is worth the whopping $6.95 (that’s not a typo). At this price, you’d be crazy not to at least go investigate!