Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.
[G.B. Stern]

… so I’m thanking all of those folks I don’t even know who open my window on the world wider and wider.

When I started my WordPress blog, the first thing I noticed is that it has a nice administrative console and it fairly easy to use. I saw where a person could install WordPress on a local server or an ISP server instead of having a blog on the ISP server at WordPress.com. I also saw where the look-and-feel (Theme) could be altered. That meant, I could have a blog look seamless with a web site I designed.

I know very little about servers and databases but I found this link (there are ones for PCs as well) so I could work on WordPress locally: michaeldoig.net

The MAMP server was easy to download and install. Then I went to this link and downloaded WordPress: wordpress.org

I followed the instructions that are on Michael Doig’s blog and had it up and running locally in 5 minutes.

Next, I wanted to change the look and feel but do not know PHP so I couldn’t figure out how to do it. I emailed Michael Doig and he referred me to this link (I don’t know who he is or where he lives, but he certainly is a kind and responsive person): urbangiraffe.com

I downloaded and printed the 66-page PDF instructions and have been working through them. The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow although I still don’t know if I can do this — it feels like taking calculus without knowing anything about math.

I have GOT TO succeed at this — I have a client waiting for a blog that looks like her web site.

P.S. After writing this post, I succeeded in making the browser background and header art with custom links look the way I wanted. Hope springs eternal …