When I started this blog last December I had two goals in mind. First, I wanted to write about the topics that I am most interested (and knowledgeable) in. I wanted to review software, promote Linux, and help readers make good choices in their digital  lives. I posted my first few articles to free blogging services including Blogger and WordPress. Then I had a bright(?) idea. Why not buy some space on a web hosting service and carry ads? Knowing little about either I selected siteground to host bytesandsuch.com. My decision was based on reviews and price comparison. That done, the next task was to upload content in including the second goal, i.e. advertising.

My first attempt was to install a content management system(CMS) , specifically Joomla. The learning curve for Joomla was steeper than I expected and I decided, that although good, Joomla was not the right  tool  for this job. Joomla was removed and WordPress was installed in its place. Furthermore, Google AdSense ready themes were available for WordPress at no cost. WordPress has a learning curve too, but very specific tutorials were available detailing exactly how to modify the code to accommodate AdSense. In a few hours a site was in place ready for ads. Unfortunately, while installing was only a small challenge, keeping the ads showing was much a much larger one. Have you noticed all the unused white space on the site?

Google has numerous requirements and they change them often. If you miss a required update and your ads simply disappear. Support from Google consists of a lengthy list of troubleshooting links that don’t necessarily resolve the problem. If you attempt to email Google about your problem you receive an automated response directing you back to the troubleshooting links. Hmm…. Maybe AdSense isn’t the best tool for bloggers.

Since installing WordPress I have learned a great deal about its capabilities and how to customize it. In the next few weeks look for some changes in the appearance of the site. I will either get ads from Google or get them from somebody else! As these changes emerge feel free to post comments about them.