FAQ

Q: Hey, are you Mike Nichols the director?

A: No, he’s just a wannabe. 

I had my name before he changed his from Michael Igor Peschkowsky. Maybe he admired the attributes of this little Alabama boy and named himself in my honor. Probably not.

Q: What is the blog software you use and who is your host?

A: My blogs are hosted by HostGator and use the WordPress.org software. My theme is Thesis, created by Chris Pearson.

Q: What computer and software do you use for your blog?

A: I’ve been a Mac addict since 1984. I use a 4-year-old Mac G5 Dual 2.0, which has proven a can’t-break-it workhorse. I hope to save up enough money to get a new Mac Pro in the next year or so.

The software I use is as follows:

• I depend on DEVONThink Pro software, a kind of relational database, writing tool, place-where-you-can-dump-everything to contain and cross-index my research. I also use it to write my blog text. I can’t say enough about this program. I have never found something I wanted to do that it can’t do!
• I do much of my research in the DEVONAgent browser. It is a specialized browser built for research on the internet. If it’s out there, DEVONAgent will find it!
• BlogAssist is a menu item that helps with HTML markup. For example, I use it for drop caps, pullquotes, alert boxes, and anything I insert into the HTML of posts. It comes with the most common HTML markups preloaded, but it is completely configurable. Cheap, and pays for itself quickly!
• Images for the posts come from a number of sources. I edit them with PhotoShop CS1 — I’m both too cheap and too poor to upgrade!
• I use PhotoGrid to display the images I download for posts. It’s a simple slideshow program that interfaces with PhotoShop or any other image editor of your choice. There are other slideshow programs out there, but none of them beats PhotoGrid for simplicity and utility.
• BBEdit is my editor of choice for the HTML, CSS and PHP I use to keep the blog going. I occasionally use it for plain old writing as well. I’ve tried Coda and am impressed, but I’m sticking with BBEdit for now.
• My FTP program is Interarchy, which I have used for years. I have tried others, but none of them have the ease of use or solidity of Interarchy. Costs a bit, but is worth it.

Q: Do you have any other blogs?

A: Yes. I’m currently developing two more blogs and a website. Right now I’m in the preparatory stage and am working hard on background material for them. They’ll be up soon.

I will have a blog, Bipolar Disorder Health, that deals with Bipolar Disorder in much the same way as this blog.

The blog Ecstasy and Entropy will have as its subject the nexus of the joy of living and the inevitable decline of old age.

The website, BenMarcato.net, will be a showcase for new composers and a place to distribute their compositions online.