The internet is full of good people (and a few dicks) but mostly good people.
Over the years I've been writing this blog, I've made some great mates. They're the kind of friendships that sustain me on days when I'm feeling overwhelmed or insignificant or both. The connections we've made over a shared love of internet geekery have converted to real life friendships.
This weekend most of my favourite internet peeps congregated on the Gold Coast. We laughed, we drank, we failed spectacularly in our abilities to catch food with our mouths at teppanyaki and we encouraged each other's forward plans.
It's easy to find yourself in a little slump after such a big weekend, but that's not why I found myself crying on my keyboard this morning.
Regular readers will remember that our farm website was hacked back in May. I paid our web host a sizeable chunk of money to clean it and while they insisted they had, our problems continued.
Our farm website redirected to terrible Russian site run by bad people. My host couldn't replicate the problem, then denied it was at their end, then demanded another sizeable chunk of money to fix the problem that they hadn't solved in the first place.
I cried tears of frustration. The website and marketing of our business is my responsibility and I'd stuffed up royally.
At dinner on Friday night between a ridiculously good piece of beef and a table-side crepe suzette production, I regaled my story of horror to the only people I knew would understand the calamity - fellow internet nerds.
My friend Robyn from Mrs D plus 3 (whose husband is a professional internet bouncer) said she'd just published a post about internet security. I lamented that it was all too late for my site and that the only solution I could think of was to trash it all and start again (an unfathomable undertaking for a woman who also needs to write a book). Later Robyn suggested she might ask Mr D to have a look at the site for me.
On Saturday night I forgot my worries, rocked out to eighties music and joined a conga line with my buddies behind one of the world's biggest bloggers. Then headed home to the farm and the reality of a still-hacked website that was costing us money daily. I emailed Rob and she set the wondrous Mr D to work.
I'd just put the kids in bed when Rob called and said she thought Mr D might be able to clean my site. Updates of Mr D's war against the Russians came via email and text during the evening. The following morning Mr D sent me an email. He'd picked those Russians up by the collar and tossed them out of my turf party. We were back in business. I cried tears of relief.
This isn't the first time my blog buddies have come through with the goods for me.
If you're a Sunshine Coast local, you may have noticed my little family on the cover of the Sunshine Coast Daily a few months back. If you're not a local or you missed it, you can read the story here.
The paper's interest in my blog wasn't accidental, it was the result of a brilliant press release that my friend Emily, author of Have a Laugh on Me and creative genius behind Write Styling, had crafted. I was excited about being included in Kidspot's blogger alumni and without a moment of hesitation Emily volunteered to write a press release for me. The results speak for themselves. If you want to get noticed, you need an Em Toxward press release!
This kind of cooperation is happening all over the internet: big bloggers mentor newer bloggers. Digital creatives share their knowledge with those keen to learn. And we all get by with a little help from our friends.
are you partial to the occasional late-night conga line?
how do you get by?
nicolethebuilderswife says
So sad to have missed the conga line, but happy to hear your site is fixed! Was wonderful to see you xx
Amanda Smyth says
Loved catching up with you too Nicole. We'll have to try to make the most of our proximity this year. x
Robyna says
So great that Mr D was able to help out - that's a tricky area and it's good to know the right people. And there was one friend (not quite an internet originated one) that had mad skills (or most likely very flukey ones) with tepanyaki 😉
Amanda Smyth says
Twas a superb effort Robyna - I'm so glad we have footage of your mad skills!
Ed @ The Tunnel says
A victory for the good guys. As my late Dad used to say: It's nice to be with nice people.
Amanda Smyth says
Your Dad was a wise fellow.
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
You are too kind thanks for those lovely words. That congo, that night, it was a cracker alright! xx
Amanda Smyth says
Wasn't it? Thanks for being my partner in crime (and internet geekery) xx
kirsten and co. says
So pleased to read your internet issue was fixed! That really was very nice of Mr D. Can't believe I missed the conga line!
Zoe | A Quirky Bird says
So glad your site got fixed. Poo to missing the conga line, I have serious FOMO but, running solo with the kidlets so I'm glad for the early night i had. Great meeting you and good luck with your book. Zoe xx
Amanda Smyth says
Wonderful to meet you too Zoe. x
Nancy |Plus Ate Six says
I'm in good company then because I got hacked by the Ruskies too - luckily I have a geek friend in London so I outsourced my panic to him and he set up some Cloudfencethingy that I don't understand and it's all OK now. Phew!
Natalie Tucker says
I love this story - a real feel good end to a shit start and yes, baddies suck. Thanks for the dance Amanda, I think you are just fabulous xo
hugzillablog says
All the feels right here. One of my take homes from ProBlogger (as if I didn't already know) was what a kick-ass bunch of generous, talented, thoughtful and kind people bloggers are. Truly.
Karin @ Calm to Conniption says
I had my FOMO in check about missing Saturday night until I heard about that conga line! Glad your website got sorted. I can't wait for Robyn's follow up post. She has me freaking a little.
Valmai Sellers says
What a wonderful outcome to your problem. The story gave me goosebumps when I read it. Glad you all had a great time together. Very special..
Mr D says
Which one do I dislike more?..bad service targeting the vulnerable and taking your money...or the russkies(or whoever)who have hacked your website, and have done a pretty darn good job at it...to be honest...! I'm in the I dislike both but respect the hackers more...happy to help!
Jodie@Fresh Home Cook says
That is such awesome news about the website Amanda! I felt so bad for even bringing it up on Friday night. Go Mr. D! Am so pleased it has had a happy ending though.
Also so jelly I missed the conga line, but glad I got to share bad food catching with you at teppanyaki. xx
routinequeen says
The thing I love the most about this whole blogging caper is the friends and connections I'm making. I honestly can't believe what a supportive, helpful bunch of people bloggers are! I didn't make it to PB this year but it's my goal to get there next year!
Amanda Smyth says
I'll keep an eye out for you next year! xx