Off Topic, I Know, But This... 12 Step Recovery For Democrats

A 12 Step Recovery Program for Democrats

1 - Open your eyes

2 - Smell the Socialists

3 - Admit there is a power greater than the Democrat Party - the Republican Party

4 - Ask the spirit of Ronald Reagan to forgive your mistakes and guide you to truth

5 - Make a conscious effort to turn away from the Dark Side by disassociating from further contact with the Democrat Party: e.g. stop watching mainstream TV news, reading liberal newspapers, and listening to rock-and/or-roll

6 - Listen to more conservative talk radio, surf the Internet, and pay attention to Country-and-Western music

7 - Make an inventory of personal, social, and economic freedom; check it twice

8 - Divest yourself from the stifling grasp of victimhood and learn to play golf

9 - Admit the wrongs you have done by voting Democrat: raising taxes, increasing laws, and denigrating traditional social mores and the crucial role of the family

10 - Step forward to make amends by helping Republican candidates

11 - Smoke a cigar, shoot a rifle, drive an SUV, and support the Boy Scouts

12 - Use this spiritual awakening to spread the word to those unfortunates still trapped in the Democrat Party web and quietly pray that their salvation comes before they’re taxed out of their homes

Picking Domain Names, Not Boogers

Choosing And Registering Your Domain Name

What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is essentially a unique, easy to remember name used to identify your web server (computer your site is stored on). Your domain name (virtual URL) is assigned a number associated with the computer your site is stored on but rather than trying to remember a string of numbers, it's much easier to use a name you recognize! . So used along with "http://www.(yournamehere)", this now becomes your URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or web site address. The domain name for Odd Todd is oddtodd.com. The complete URL for this site is http://www.oddtodd.com. Putting it in the location line of your web browser brought you here! All domain names are registered with ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers-see below). Think of ICANN as the DMV of domain names!

Do I have to have a domain name to have a web site?
Not necessarily. There are hosts that can provide you with a non-virtual account (or subdomain hosting) which means the URL of your site would be http://www.yourhostingcompany/yourbusinessname. Your hosting company will give you a subdirectory on their servers to store your site's files. If you decide to move your site, you cannot take this name with you. Your URL will be different as well as any e-mail addresses that you may have signed up for with the hosting company.

The advantage to having a domain name is that you will have your own URL and you can take it wherever you want. If you decide to switch to a different hosting company, a virtual URL and any associated e-mail addresses, can go with you and will always remain the same (provided you renew your registration each year).

What should my domain name be?
Choosing your domain name can be a simple as the name of your business. For example, if the name of your business is XYZ Auto Repair, you may want http://www.xyzautorepair.com to be your web site address. That means, xyzautorepair.com is your domain name. Use only letters, numbers and/or hyphens. (Although the name cannot begin or end with a hyphen). There is a 67 character limit on the length of your name and domain names are not case sensitive. XYZAutoRepair.com is the same as xyzautorepair.com .

But, what if someone already has my name?
It is possible that the name you choose is already taken. In that case the registrar (companies that process domain name registrations) you use may suggest others. Try using xyz-autorepair.com or xyzauto-repair.com or x-y-zautorepair.com. Chances are that one of the variations you come up with will work.

How do I register my name?
There are two ways you can register your domain name. One is through an accredited registrar. Domain name registration services are well-known at the bigger companies like GoDaddy, 1&1 Internet, Yahoo, etc.

If you are not sure where your site will be hosted, it may be a good idea to "reserve" your name before someone else gets it! For more information about registering your domain name, check our Domain Name Registration Information.

The other way is to have your hosting company (see below) do it for you. When you sign up to put your web site on-line with a hosting company, many offer to take care of the registration process for you. If your site is not ready, you can park your domain with your host. In other words, reserving your name and space before your site is ready to go live.

What is ICANN?
A new non-profit corporation called ICANN-The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ( http://www.icann.org ), is now assuming the responsibility from the U.S. Government of managing the Internet domain name system (DNS) from InterNIC ( http://www.internic.net ). They keep a record of all registered domain names on the Internet and the associated computer you choose, or your host computer (see about hosting below).

How much does it cost to register a domain name?
The cost of a domain name can run anywhere from free with a hosting account to $35.00 per year, depending on with whom you register. Many registrars offer sales and promotions and some hosting companies will include your domain name registration in with their hosting packages.

How long does the process take?
Depending on how you register, 24-48 hours.

If you end up having any difficulties, contact our pals at SafeHouse Web or Cartoon Thunder and they will help you do it, or just get it done for you!

Choosing A Designer/Developer - Who Ya Gonna Call?

Once you have determined the goal of your site and have some idea of what you want it to look like, if you haven't already found a designer/developer, now is the time. Be sure whomever you choose can provide exactly what you need. Do you want custom graphics or a pre-made template? Do you need an on-line store with a secure order form? How will your site be marketed (search engine submission)? Are there hidden fees? How much does maintenance cost? Will anyone from the company be available to answer questions?

Just because we think they are effective, professional, driven and gifted people, we like to offer SafeHouse Web and Cartoon Thunder as two great contact points to start your website development journey. The guys at these two outfits are cool joes. Your own research, asking around, etc., will also allow you to identify a number of different design and development companies out there.

Searching the web by region, and the type of your business & site, can be a good start to finding a suitable resource in your area.

How To Get Started

Oftentimes, the most difficult thing for a small business owner may be finding out how to get this web site "thing" started.

Turns out, this website "thing" is really a friendly little joe.

First you need to take a look at your business and decide what purpose your web site will serve. Take a look at other sites in the same industry. How are they using their web space? What services do you offer that they do not? What kind of information do they have? What is your target audience? Do you want to sell things from your site?

Gather information you already have for your business like brochures, yellowpage ads, newspaper ads, price and product lists, photos of your building, you and your staff, logos, trade certification information etc...

You and your web designer (you will probably end up always referring to this person as, "my website guy" even if it's a girl) will look at sites in your industry right along with you. It's a very good idea to jot down a list of sites you like and their their URL so you can recommend sites for review by/with your website guy.

Get a notepad and start jotting down ideas. Eventually you can start organizing your ideas into what you visualize your web site to be. This is essential to a successful experience with your website guy for getting the look and layout you desire.

Why Do I Need A Website?

The analogy: Being without a website for your business is like being in the position of Mr. Matador, pictured here; taking it hard and sharp from behind - and not even the courtesy of a reach around!


You don't have to take it like that. In fact, your answer to the question, "Why?", will start to put you at ease right away.

A web site is a cost effective way to make your business accessible to your customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week! A visit to your site can give all of the information you want your customers to have, whenever they want it! A very convenient way to advertise...your information is always available and can be updated in an instant. Customers will know they are getting exactly what they want by doing business with you just by visiting your site. You can free up some of your employees' time by including frequently asked questions about your business.