Life in POD-land
Yes, I’m still alive. No, I haven’t succumbed to a recurrence of tonsillitis. No, I haven’t fallen off the face of the Earth. And no, I haven’t joined the TSA. (I don’t meet their standards, since I have a basic amount of common sense. I don’t drag my knuckles or wear jackboots either, but I digress…)
I’ve been working on the Picture of the Day pretty much non-stop since February. I installed WordPress as a content management system and then taught myself PHP and WordPress theme development. It was more tedious than difficult, since I’ve been programming off and on for 25+ years.
My goal was to design a custom theme that looked like the old POD, but with lots of new stuff (comments, ratings, tags, etc.). Then I started importing the old archives. That turned out a to be a huge job, so I recruited a team of volunteers to help. Once we imported a sufficient number of pictures from 2007, 2008, and 2009, I decided to go live with the new interface on March 23. That was the Trillion-dollar post.
Then the full weight of traffic hit the new POD and my server started to mutter in protest. The mutters turned into moans and complaints, which rapidly escalated to squeaks of terror. So I spent several weeks learning about Apache, MySQL, and WordPress optimization. When all was said and done, I’d managed to drop the server load from 100% to 35% or so, through tweaks and a lot of server tuning.
Since then, I’ve been working on the POD theme, tinkering with the interface and adding new features. I’m still not 100% happy with it, but I’m getting there. Now I’m working on the little things like SEO and improved user experience.
Throughout the process, I’ve been working on the archives, which is a monumentally tedious chore. The original POD had more than 1,800 pictures since Feb 2004, and each picture takes 3.5 minutes to import/recreate. Do the math. Yeah. Even with a team of volunteers, it’s a major time sink. We have 300-400 pictures left to import, so we’re close to being done, but it’s been a long road getting here.
Fortunately, the new POD does exactly what I want. First and foremost, it’s much easier to post a new pic. Second, it provides a place for people to comment so they can share their witty comebacks instead of sending them to me directly. Third, I don’t have people trying to argue politics with me in e-mail. Last, the new interface is a lot more interactive, which is good for viewers.
Once we finish the archives, I want to get back to writing. I’ve been so focused on the POD for so long that I’m ready for it to be done, D-O-N-E. Yes, it’s fun working on the code and theme, but at some point it’s good enough, and I want to get back to Summer Camp.
So that’s what I’ve been up to for the past couple of months. Fun, but lots of hard work.
- Nick
Nick – oh, thank goodness that you’re ok. Sorry to hear about the unintended consequences – it happens. Good to see that you got your mind away from SC though for a while – when I change my focus for a wile it refreshes my mind and I can then focus better on what is at task. Go get ‘em. Thanks for all your efforts – I love the new POD – really appreciate the wit we can post with it.
Take your time with SC – yea, we’re waiting for the next chapter – of course – but we also understand your needs. Relax, recoup and recharge. Thanks for keeping your fans in the loop.
Achim
Achim,
Sorry, sounds like I hear a large sucking sound. What about the new POD do you like and why?
I see a site that was easy to navigate with simple choices from today, yesterday, and to prior months of pics – to a new web page giving so many choices and options that it takes why too much time just to look at those choices. Why the word choices Nick? — because we can is not a reasonable answer.
What ever happened to the old truth that simpler is better? We are only looking a one picture per day on this POD and an monthly archives. Too Much!!!
Hey, I am really here for the story so forget the above.
Steve
Seems like you’re really here to be a dick.
With all of the changes to the site, I figured that was the reason that you hadn’t posted any new chapters lately. I am glad to hear that you are OK – looking forward to Paul’s further adventures (and IMO the new POD/website is excellent – great job!!).
Steve,
It seems you missed the note that the Head Camper wrote. It seems to me that the main advantage for the new POD interface is it keeps the volume of emails coming to his box much lower since viewers can simply post to the new forum their thoughts. This in the long run will free up some of his time so he can focus on what’s really important … the stories that he is creating (for free, I might add) for our (and his) enjoyment. Maybe it could’ve been simpler, but then he’s never one to do anything halfway.
Nick, keep on truckin man. Thanks for the update, but I know now not to expect any new chapters for at least two months. IMHO, it’s well worth it.
Hehe, this is the second time in three weeks I encounter the acronym SEO.
First time was a guy who claimed to be an SEO consultant and who offered his expertise to make our website more popular.
I looked up SEO in Wikipedia and found: “Site Enhancement Oil, a liquid substance used by bodybuilders to increase the apparent size of some muscles” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEO)
I still think that covers well what he tried to get paid for
Nobody gives a shit about your stupid POD archive. Finish the story, or fuck off.
I’m sure another great advantage to using wordpress as a CMS for the POD is you can prewrite the entries and schedule them to go up at a given time, thus allowing you to spend 20 minutes one day a week to put up everything, rather then 4 minutes every day, which is generally more efficient, think of one thing at a time.
Well I gotta say I know how them projects can turn into more then ya ever thought,just seem to take more then ya ever thought.Glad your ok and look forward to reading more when ya get the time. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF,HOPE YA CAN IGNORE THE BUTTHOLES
Pictures of nude women or funny sex pictures are easy to find.
A story/book has become increasingly difficult to find.
Guess I will wait & wait
But what do I know, I am just dumb woman
Nicole
You said your buffer was up to one chapter. Now that you’re back to writing, please consider posting chapter 16.
Thanks….
Nick,
Love the new POD.
Keep up the good work.
Michael
Good thing nobody said that, so we can just ignore him. o_O
@CWatson
Oh, I didn’t ignore him.
He’s gone now.
Nick,
I, for one, am glad you’re doing what you enjoy…keep on doing it, and your life will be happy and healthy!
As for those who keep giving Nick shit…guess what? Your lives aren’t going to end because you can’t read a new chapter of a story every week, even if it IS one of the best stories, erotica or otherwise, that I’ve read in a long time!
GET. A. LIFE. MORONS.
I’ve been a silent lurker/reader of SC for quite a while.
First and foremost I would like to express my appreciation for your work and effort.
I’m sure that there are many others like myself who frequent your little corner of the world but don’t make themselves known.
I (we) have lives and responsibilities that require the bulk of my (our) time and greatly appreciate this place with your captivating writing as a wonderful diversion.
I read some of the comments left by those who feel they are in some way entitled to what you do and feel they have a right to demand more. These people are unfortunate products of our changing society. No longer is it a matter of “what can I accomplish today and what rewards will I reap?” now it is “what can I take from someone who has since I have not, and I will not work for it”.
Sadly this “entitlement-attitude” seems to be growing as of late and I fear it will continue. I ALMOST feel sorry for these people who will never understand nor have the ability to enjoy the self satisfaction that the concept of accomplishment brings.
While looking forward to future chapters, I’m sure I will have plenty to occupy my time.
Please accept my sincere thanks for enjoying what you do and making it available to those who appreciate it!!
@John,
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoy it.
Thanks for your attitude too. Most people are like you, fortunately.
The bad ones are just loud and memorable.
One good thing about SC is the delay makes me wanting it more. I am an IT Director and I know how the nice projects turn out to be more than you bargained for. I love the site and look forward to your next chapter. As with John I have alot to keep me busy.
I just wanted to chime in and say I really appreciate the work you’ve put in on the POD archives. I’m in the process of getting my old blog posts converted to Wordpress, so I can appreciate the amount of work it takes. Frankly, I never noticed the back-end switch — I didn’t stop to wonder why suddenly there were comments! As an IT professional, “the users didn’t notice” is the best compliment one can receive.
Thanks again for the heads-up.
Devin wrote:
Thanks.
I put a lot of effort into recreating the existing POD look and feel, but with more functionality.
I had to make some design compromises along the way (fex: I couldn’t put sidebars at the level of the picture itself), but I think it looks pretty good.
Anyway, I’m glad you didn’t notice.
Nick:
At first, I wasn’t sure I liked the POD site changes; I didn’t think they made any difference. Then, slowly, I started playing around with some of the functionality, and really started getting into them! Now I think that the new site is great! Just playing with the ‘keyword’ function has given me a lot of entertainment (”What in the world does this keyword mean? OMG!”)
Thanks (again) for your hard work. As long as you’re willing to post, I’m willing to enjoy! (Seems a little one-sided, though…)
I’m not gone, your smug comments to the contrary, and…
I suck cock for a living.
[Edited by Nick. This is what he meant to say. Object lesson: don't fuck with the moderator—he's a bigger dick than you are.]
“Write, or fuck off”?
Wow. It’s a good thing Nick has been only burnt out (he’s stated in the past that he does website work when he’s not mentally or emotionally able to write) instead of sick or dead. I wonder how you would have expressed your disappointment then.
I’m also curious when you received a request for your time. You said that “once you’ve requested someone’s time to tell a story, you have a responsibility…” I certainly never received such a request from Nick. Nor was I unaware that the story was incomplete when I started. I would think that the responsibility lay with me, because Nick did squat to “request” me to read his work.
That said, you’re free to be pissed. Emotions are what they are. But is it really buying you anything to make such angry posts? Nick isn’t exactly bullyable and saying “Write, or fuck off” isn’t going to make him write faster or better. At best, you are ignored. At worst, you distract him and it takes him even longer.
Even if we grant that Nick is “a narcissistic asshole who enjoys the attention he generates by fucking with people” (which is a statement without backup proof), all the tirade does is let him fuck with you further.
In the end, if you’ve truly given up on Nick finishing the story, why stick around? There are surely thousands of others out there requesting your time, who can meet the schedule you require.
Nick,
I hope you are feeling better. I know what life gets like sometimes. I’m a farmer and sometimes the whole field looks overwhelming.
Do what I do, Nick. Break it down and have a beer afters.
Cheers from Canada, and keep up the good porn.
I can’t speak for Nick, but I can speak for me. If you don’t like the pace you’re getting your free stories, move along. We won’t miss you. Frankly, if you leave your basement, your Mom probably won’t miss you after she’s cleaned up the spooge you’ve left all over the walls. Do us all a favor and grow up, move on to something more to your taste and speed, like Hustler, and leave the adults alone, Junior.
Nick,
It’s your site and your stories. Do what you want.
I disagree with you politically, but I have hopes you’ll grow up eventually and you probably feel the same way.
I do miss reading the stories, but evidently you are having more fun with the website than writing.
Good Luck, Dott
Hmm, I was gonna write yet another hate post but, Why give the whinners something else to whine about?? LOL
Thanks for the feature letting folks post their thoughts on the pictures of the day outside the forum. Much appreciated.
Nick,
You’re an inspiration. I’ve been following your stories for years now. Your site introduced me into being a fan of the genre. And now I’ve even posted my first story on Literotica.
Take all your time and keep fucking with these bozos (critics) as much as you can. Once I started writing, I’ve become aware of just how much a process it is and how much a labor of love it is. You’re very much Theodore Roosevelt’s “man in the arena”. Keep up the great work.
And stay healthy. I can deal with the process of writing, editing, & polishing.
Nick Dying before the Magnum Opus finishes would be a tragedy. 
Nick,
Have enjoyed SC since you started, and remember when the POD first went up. Always going to have the idiots that think that just because THEY are reading, they are somehow entitled to getting stories at their pace and not yours.
Glad to hear that you are still healthy and eagerly anticipating the further adventures of the entire crew. Stay well, and know that your true fans will never rush you.
Nobody on May 10th, 2009 8:46 am
I’m not gone, your smug comments to the contrary, and…
I suck cock for a living.
[Edited by Nick. This is what he meant to say. Object lesson: don't fuck with the moderator—he's a bigger dick than you are.]
Actually, that may not be an insult to the fw.
GR on May 11th, 2009 1:18 am
Glad to hear that you are still healthy and eagerly anticipating the further adventures of the entire crew. Stay well, and know that your true fans will never rush you.
Although we may want to rush you. . .
I know that I am looking forward to both more in the SC universe and when you are able to write for the mainstream.
Keep up the good work.
nick as a visually impaired person i didnt notice the changes to the site but you seem like a smart man so if the site needed to be changed in order for you to share your time better then im happy to trust your judgement with why we still wait eagerly a new chapter. take the time you need. and for the idiots who have made harsh comments. did anyone notice how “nobody” is a very odd name for an individual. here’s a few words of advice grow a sack, fill it so someone somewhere someday soon can tear it off. if you don’t like the pace then your obviously used to things coming to you quickly. maybe thats a big part of why you need a story to jack off too, no one sticks around because you ” come” too quickly, slow down big boy….. lol
thanks again nick
Ummm… I hate to say this since it looks like it’s all done, but couldn’t you have automated something to import all those PotD into the new gallery?
@crazysumerian,
It wouldn’t have been easy to automate (but I thought about it!).
First, the old POD was flat HTML, the new is a WordPress database.
Second, the old POD wasn’t very consistent sometimes. Lots of exceptions make for kludgy automation.
Third, I simply don’t have the WordPress/PHP chops to do it, and didn’t think I could find a willing victim volunteer who does.
Last, a lot of it required human judgment (like the tags), which you can’t automate.
Also, I drastically underestimated the time it would take. I originally thought each pic would take about 2 minutes. Turns out 5 each was closer to the mark.
So we did it the hard way.
SEO and teaching yourself PHP? Shit, it’s a wonder you’ve had time to take a leak. I still haven’t taught myself .NET (using classic .asp) because of time constraints, and SEO is a full-time, perpetual job. Good for you for taking time to learn and stay current. I hope the SEO process doesn’t finally drive you over the edge. If so, I’ll see you there.