Sunday, February 03, 2008

Drop This Blog?

Kicking around a lot of thoughts lately. I'm mostly thinking out loud with this post.

I'm spread too thin. I do not have the material for, nor the time, to write two bipolar blogs. I've kept this blog because there are times I want to post things I can't post at BipolarConnect. My posts over there need to be 500+ words, and sometimes I want to post a few sentences, or a paragraph or two. This blog is pretty much only a bipolar disorder blog, given the title and URL of the blog. I'd like to have a place I can post anything, and not define myself as bipolar. It would include bipolar disorder topics, but would not be a blog about bipolar disorder.

Next, a platform. Blogger is easy and secure. Wordpress is flexible and I can keep the database for any kind of future use. I would never lose any posts with Google, but with Wordpress a server crash and you could lose everything.

Finally, where to post. I have 2 domains that could be used. One is a site I've had for years where I've been posting stories and other writings. But that's a site where I'd rather not "come out" with respect to bipolar disorder. Another is a great domain name where I've had a blog in the past.

Decisions, decisions.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

wordpress has two sets of complete servers... in different parts of the world. supposed to be very safe.

Jon said...

Gianna - with Wordpress I'd use the Wordpress package on one of my own domains, with my own hosting. I like the Wordpress software, I've installed and built several websites using Wordpress and like it a lot. But that means I'm responsible for my data. I'd have to keep my database backed up so I didn't lose anything in case of a crash or hacker attack.

If I was to use a traditional web-based blog, I'd stay with Blogger. It doesn't get any more trouble free than Blogger.

Jane Doe said...

Well... it seems to me you've already answered yourself. Perhaps if you read your post again you'll see.
If not, here is what I read that you said: You've decided to go with WP (..Finally, where to post. I have 2 domains that could be used..) and there's 1 of the 2 you'd feel comfortable talking about being bipolar.

Do you read what I read?

Jon said...

Jane - Like I said, I'm mostly thinking out loud.

Jane Doe said...

Are you trying to tell me that wasn't keen insight on my part?
Shit!

Bleeding Heart said...

Ya know, I go through this too sometimes and for me I think it is more of wanting a change and the enjoyment of writing.

You say that you don't want to define your self as being bipolar, but you are bipolar and having a blog about your bipolar self is not necessarily saying that you are defining yourself as bipolar. If that makes any sense.

It is a big part of who we are and WE need the support system to keep us going and not feel so alone.

I tried to walk away from my bipolar blog thinking the same way you were thinking, but I Found myself losing my mind when I didn't have an outlet to express my emotions or feelings, so of course I went back to Coming Out of The Dark and I love it.

I think in your case as in mine, you need to organize your desires within your blogs. Keep one for total educated material on bipolar and keep one for you - for your bipolar self.

You will be surprised if you walk away from Purple Dog how you will find yourself coming back.

Jon said...

Thanks DW. All of what you say is true, and that's exactly why I'm "thinking out loud".

If only my URL wasn't livingbipolar.blogspot.com

Dancer said...

hey jon,

if it is of any interest..you know that i took down both my (previous) bipolar and leukemia blogs. i missed it so much that i had to start another...and now i miss all of the information and readers that i had on my previous blogs.

also (this is selfish) i enjoy your blog very much

dancer

Anonymous said...

Dancer has a good point. I miss JanelovesTarzan. I tried to not talk about being bipolar on my blog & at times it felt as if I had tape over my mouth.

But I get what you're saying too. You want somewhere that you can talk about being bipolar, but it's not in the title. Right?

Can you change your url to livingwithapurpledog.blogspot.com and just transfer everything over there? Then, have this site redirect to that one?

Jon said...

Working on something...

With Blogger you can set up a redirect to a domain you own. The new URL always shows, not the Blogger URL. Blogger still "hosts", so you don't have to worry about losing information on a server crash. It's your current blog with a different address. And the current blogger URL auto-forwards to the new URL.

Now to decide what domain to use. jonegregory.com? gjgregory.com? beefareeno.com? productoftheseventies.com?

I'm enthused by this solution. This is why I posted, to get my mind moving in a direction it wouldn't otherwise have moved.

Polarimbi said...

i understand your dilemma, but i am like one of those old friends who has come back into town. i would have been distraught to have not found you still here! if you change addresses, find a way to leave word, please

Anonymous said...

I vote beefareeno.com cuz that is so you!

But make sure you get a domain proxy.

Jon said...

Thanks all for your input.

Jane, I already own the domain, along with a few dozen others. After messing around with private registrations on several of them, I finally decided to screw it. Too much additional cost for too little downside. And I think I'll probably use Beefareeno.

Polarimbi - I appreciate your comment. Things will change, but you will still be able to navigate here through the same bookmarks, blogrolls, and links.

Anonymous said...

Let me know, wherever you move to.

Anonymous said...

I will follow you to the new site.