Category Archives: Tech tips

How to use Styles in Microsoft Word (and why you should)

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Dr Bob Rich

by Dr Bob Rich Word is the most commonly used word processor program, and yet many people have difficulties with its basic features. A very experienced writer in a group I belong to complained that he hates having to put … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, Communication, Computers and Internet, Education, Tech tips | Tagged , | 13 Comments

The yarn that got away

Posted on May 24, 2022 by peNdantry

Back in 1982, or perhaps it was ’83, I was working on a short story; it was my first real attempt in my quest to ‘become a writer’. I wrote the story on my first computer (an Amstrad PCW), which … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, art, Fantasy, Flash fiction, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

My technique for coping with spam comments on WordPress.com

Posted on April 19, 2022 by peNdantry

‘Wibble’ began in 2007; a lifetime ago in Internet terms (and of course also for those now aged 15 and under, duh). In all those years, I only rarely had any spam comments to deal with here on Wibble, and … Continue reading →

Posted in balance, Computers and Internet, Phlyarology, Strategy, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

On expiry of a custom domain name

Posted on February 15, 2022 by peNdantry

My post last week, ‘How to ensure that your blog lives forever, revisited‘, needs a follow-up, as an unanticipated situation arose. (I would probably have spotted it myself in time, but then again, perhaps not, and I am indebted to Goldie … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Computers and Internet, Core thought, Strategy, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

How to ensure that your blog lives forever, revisited

Posted on February 8, 2022 by peNdantry

The World Wide Web has a serious design flaw, one that ensures that link rot is endemic. The domain name system (DNS) requires that domains be regularly maintained; a fee must be paid to keep the name in operation. In effect, it ignores the inevitability of death. Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Computers and Internet, Core thought, Strategy, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments

The green way to blog longevity via image optimisation

Posted on November 9, 2021 by peNdantry

Image optimisation is a neat blogging trick that’s easy to learn and quick to implement. Here’s how to do it – and, more importantly, why you should consider it. Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet, Energy, Environment, Strategy, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Confirmation that two-thirds of headline analyzers spout utter nonsense

Posted on September 14, 2021 by peNdantry

An examination of three headline analyzer tools (and whether it’s worth using them), together with a Veritasium video on the effectiveness of clickbait (with transcription). Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, balance, Communication, Computers and Internet, Critiques, Phlyarology, Strategy, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Yes, it IS possible to embed hyperlinks in titles! (but there are caveats)

Posted on August 24, 2021 by peNdantry

Ready for a surprise? The title of this post contains two links. The link on the first part of the text is to the post itself; this is quite normal. However, there’s a second link at the end, on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Communication, Computers and Internet, Education, People, Phlyarology, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , | 31 Comments

Creating content collaboratively

Posted on April 2, 2021 by peNdantry

I’ve been aware of the ‘Users’ option in the WordPress settings for many years. I looked into the facility when setting up the Multiphasic Phylarological University (a site that, unfortunately, I’ve never been able to find enough other interested parties … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Communication, Computers and Internet, Education, Strategy, Tech tips | Tagged , , , | 40 Comments

How to time travel using WordPress

Posted on February 23, 2021 by peNdantry

Disclaimer: this is how it currently works; I offer no guarantees that this information is valid in your epoch! The only constant is change. Heraclitus (c.535 BC – c.474 BC) The ‘permalink’ Each WordPress post is allocated a permalink (short … Continue reading →

Posted in ... wait, what?, Communication, Computers and Internet, Education, Phlyarology, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments