Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

It’s been a year and half since I officially use b2evolution program for my blogsite. I am sorry I was pretty much have no choice but to abandon it due to poorly spam and refers system. It caused a lot of bandwidth and loads on our server.

Before I used b2evolution, I did test with few other programs such as Wordpress, Blogger, Mambo, and few other programs. I picked it because it offers a lot of features at this time. I knew Wordpress is supposed to be good but it lack multiple blogsite under same account back then.

Last weekend, I did re-consider heavily on either Movable Type or Expression Engine over Wordpress but Wordpress is only one that is free and offers plenty of themes and plug-ins. It was easy decision – I pick Wordpress not because it’s free but there’s more in it.

Other things that worry me the most is converting into different blog program. I found converter script at Wordpress forum and asked Brenden to help me with it. We did it with no problem. Only one thing that I have to fix manually is all of pictures link. It is partially my fault – I should have use different directory rather than use inside b2evolution directory.

Most important of all, all old links will not work once I closed it permanently. That’s mean some of you may have to re-fix it so you will continue getting feeds from my blogsite. Of course, it is good experience for me to go thru all of it. I didn’t think I can do it before but I am glad I did it anyway.

I already installed WYSIWYG Editor inside Wordpress. To me, it is a must. I also installed mini-calendar on it. Neat stuff. Now, I need to work on few things – add my blogroll back in action. I also need to some more cool stuff on my sidebar. Hopefully it will cooperate with me.

Other things about Wordpress’ advantage – handful of deaf bloggers use it too. This way we all can share and help each other

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

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Effective today - Brenden helped me convert my B2evolution database into WordPress program. Everything looks good except few broken pictures and links.

I will work on it from time to time. Meantime, feel free to make an comment right away - this time you don’t have to register like before.

Give it a try!!

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Last August I wrote a story about how CSD office started an office in Dallas for videophone outreach service. It took us about five years to success bring CSD in Dallas before they launched its own office in spring 2003. We were very happy we made it possible.

Unfortunately, they shut down office in Dallas last December 2005. At this time, words spread around quickly. It is not secret but of course, many people disappointed with their decision. They laid Kathy Walters off who work at this office for about two years. I did not say much about it for while because I was trying to put all pieces of stories together for this blog.

Personally, I have never thought they would shut down the office. CSD claimed they are downsizing but I was told by someone else that Sprint stopped the outreach contract. It doesn’t matter – the point is our deaf community still wants CSD to come back for real service — not something like this outreach service.

Good news, the advisory committee (almost all same people since August 2005) wants to fight back. They are working on it right now – yes, it is pretty much starting all over again.

At this point, I don’t know what committee’s agenda right now but I am sure they will come up strategy. One thing I know – they want to invite Ben Soukup (CEO of CSD) to come over here and have meeting with him.

However, I am not sure if we should bother to bring CSD back again after they tried and failed to start up human service basically. Maybe it is not really because those – maybe it is low priority to CSD top management. Who knows?

Same time, we can even start one without CSD. I realize that it is very challenge to start up one in Dallas & Fort Worth area due to another numbers of organizations like DAC and GCD.

Oh yeah, we have Sorenson VRS center in Arlington (between Dallas and Fort Worth) plus Lifelinks VRS (rumors) may start up one in here in near future. If CSD is willing to reconsider again, they better act fast before it gets harder later on. I know that interpreter agency is always one of biggest roles in many organizations these days. (money maker)

I will keep you posted. 

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com