The Northwest Voice

With two children’s books in publication, a friend suggested I get a Web site.
Well, my expertise on the computer is very limited, and when I checked out some of the prices the professional were charging, I knew I couldn’t afford that.
So instead, I went to one of those self-help sites, where they walk you through the process of setting up your place on the Net for your own use.
I stumbled, fell flat on my face and decided a Web site was not for me.
I’m sure some people can figure it out, but it was like the time I bought the book, “Computers for Dummies.”
Two days later, I took it back to the store and got a refund. Dummy books are not for me. I think I’m beyond help on anything that is technical.
Another time, I hit the wrong button on my TV remote and I finally had to call my son to come over and fix it.
My kids bought me a digital camera with a printer attached a year ago Christmas. I still haven't figured it out.
I keep telling my children, “Don’t get me anything technical,” but to them, technical stuff is simple, and I know they think I'm some sort of idiot.
They grew up with high-tech.
I grew up with kick the can, hop scotch and adding numbers without the convenience of a hand-held gizmo that does it for you!
Though I was determined to forget about a Web site, in the back of my mind, I knew I needed one, so I called the computer lab at Cal State Bakersfield. Turns out the lab is closed in the summer. Then I called BC, but no one ever called back.
I began to think, “Maybe I just wasn’t meant to have a Web site.”
I asked everyone I knew if they had any idea who I could get to build a site for me. Finally, a friend from my memoirs writing group gave me a card from a college student that does sites to help pay for his books.
I knew what I wanted, but had no idea how to do it, but this co-ed sure did!
Jacel Jara turned out to be the best Web builder I could have imagined.
He came by, I showed him what I wanted, including a page with a free story on it that I could change every month. He took all my suggestions home with him and in less than a week, I had my very own Web site!
Changing the free story turned out to be a challenge — being a technical issue, you know — but after three months, I have finally gotten in down to where I can do it without calling Jacel for help.
It just goes to show: You don't need to be technically inclined if you know the right person to call.
So I invite you to check out my site, and I'm sure you will agree, it turned out pretty good:
http://www.grannywrites4kid...