Unexpected Grief

I’ve had some serious problems with my business website and other domain, to be precise: with the software that I was using to run that website. It’s the same software that I’m using for this website and that I have been using for donkey years. Probably about nine: ever since the start of this blog. I’m slightly worried that the same might happen with this website and that I have to close it just like I had to with my business website.

It’s totally annoying… I think the main reason for the problem lies with G00gle. G00gle uses a tiny bit of software to scan all the pages for content. I’m avoiding the use of certain words on purpose in case you wonder why I’m all cryptic about it. I will explain in a moment. Since G00gle collects all the data, it is published and available from their website to everyone who visits and searches thus visible to the leeches as well.

So when they find your website and find the bit that is easy to take over and control then you might as well close it down because fighting the problem seems nearly impossible. The software I’m using has a weak spot and this is exactly what they will aim for and abuse. I found out it had been a week spot since the first release. I’ve had about thirty thousand h.i.t.s. in only seven days causing my account to almost exceed bandwidth.

Back to G00gle, since I am not using their service for this website I might be safe for now. But I was with the other one and just before the problem started I had written a post about the fact that I had been receiving lots of fake reactions on my posts coming from the far East. I’d also used keywords and I feel that because of that post in combination with the keywords and the search results from G00gle, it triggered the wrong kind of visitors.

The kind of visitors that just barge in and out each second trying to take control of what is yours and keeping at it with an extremely rigid and twisted enthusiasm. The kind that won’t take no for an answer. Ever since, I have been trying to fight the problem to no avail and it has only become bigger and more widespread coming from all directions of the globe. I’m blocking but some can’t be blocked unfortunately coz they’re way too clever!

I feel I’ve wasted so much time trying to deal with this. First I had to shut down the website, then I had to remove all the software, install a new CMS and totally redesign it. It was up and running for a while but then I saw it spike again and decided to take it offline until I’ve figured out a way to redirect incoming traffic to a fake page that contains no content and uses zero k in bandwidth so they won’t be able to spike it over and over again…

Anyway, you might understand why I am slightly worried. So if this website is gone all of a sudden you’ll know why.

Quickie

Been busy and will be busy… so here’s a brief list of thoughts and events that happened this week and then I’ll be away from this blog for a while until things start to settle a bit…

  • Had interview on Monday: went well! Although a few really tough questions were hard to answer I left with a positive feeling!
  • Client asked for quote: once agreed I’ll have to design new spring collection catalogue.
  • This sad pathetic person once again checked my business website last Friday and looked for the presentation that I’ve password protected.
  • Had to get loads of groceries for my mum’s birthday and clean her house.
  • Still been bothered by a severe cold and fever and having to go out three days in a row to buy all necessary stuff for a birthday is not helping much when you should be in bed.
  • Received a phone call on Friday that I’m through to the 2nd round, there’s only two available places so in two weeks I’ll know, but getting through feels great already!
  • Received a ‘friend request’ on this business networking website from a former teacher (Graphic Design study), exchanged emails with him, he invited me to come and talk. He’s a good contact and a really great teacher so I should head over one day!
  • Received two great references from MvdM to place on the aforementioned website and my own business website.
  • Updated my portfolio on my business website with projects I’ve worked on, should update blog as well, perhaps later today after some ‘me’ time.
  • Younger bro came over and stayed all weekend. Of course I wanted to entertain my sweet 1.5 year old nephew and my 3.5 year old niece!
  • Crocheted a stuffed toy for my nephew in five hours: a cute lamb…
  • My niece named him ‘Kerrie’ (Dutch for curry *LOL*) she’s got great sense of humour!
  • Took her out for a walk today to feed the duckies, she loved it.
  • Sis-in-law wondered how I felt about having/watching a mini version of myself running around the house: I just love it! She’s too cute…
  • My Vaio laptop needed formatting/new OS: I use it to check cross-platform website design, needed it coz I’m working on one. Bro helped me out. Bloody windoze…
  • Going to start working on my business plan in a few: will start product design because after a busy week I need some wind down time for me.
  • Managed to put myself first without feeling guilty or selfish, I could suppress the urge to only make time for others. Instead I set priorities and left those things to wait.
  • Cut the Valentine’s day roses, even dried they remain gorgeous.
  • Time to get started on my product designs…

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

Update February 28 13:51:33: wow, at times it’s good to have tiny kids around with globs of snot. My previous annoying cold has now turned into a full-on flu and fever. One week and I’ll feel better again…

© Zesty Gal – ‘Kerrie’ a crafted gift for my cute nephew

© Zesty Gal – Still gorgeous…