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I’m sorry that it’s been quite some time since I’ve posted to “How to Blog”, but it’s not because I haven’t wanted to. Rather, I’ve been having a really difficult couple of weeks filled with more frequent and intense migraines than I’ve ever had before, which may or may not be related to my RSI (repetetive strain injury from computer overuse – lovely).

To say that things have sucked would be putting it mildly. My eyes have been so sensitive to light that I’ve speant much of the time laying down in dark rooms and have resorted to wearing sunglasses inside. I’m on a waiting list to see a neurologist at UCSF who specializes in migraines since the prescribed Fioricet that I take doesn’t seem to work much for me anymore…wish me luck.

In the meantime, the severity of my headaches has been getting better over the past couple of days, with periods of feeling completely fine, even (thank god!) so hopefully I’ll be able to be back blogging (and working) on a more regular basis soon!

I just found the coolest resource! It’s called Rent A Coder, and you can post any project that you need help with, whether it be as simple as installing WordPress / MovableType / etc for you on your server, or as complex as asking someone to write a custom blogging platform for you. Want a custom template for TypePad or a special WordPress theme and don’t have the time or skills to do it yourself? Just Rent A Coder to do it for you. You can even find people to help you with Search Engine Optimization, people to write content for you, etc.

Once you post the specifics of the project you need help with, coders will then bid on your ‘job’ and you can decide who you want to hire based on their bid, the feedback they received from other users on other projects they’ve completed, etc.

From their website:

Need a coder to help you create the next ‘killer app’ or answer questions? Just post your program or question here and coders from around the world will email you bids on doing the work.

You can review each bidder’s resume and reputation online, and when you’re ready to make your decision, you can rent your personal, expert, coder with just a few clicks! Its that simple!

Posting a bid request is free, and you are under no obligation to accept any bids sent to you unless you choose to. Once you accept a bid, you will place your payment into escrow. The money is not released to the coder, till they complete the work according to your original specification. There are no service charges or finders fees for buyers.

On the flip side, got skills? Flaunt ‘em and earn cash!

Looking to earn extra income using your hard-won technical skills? Rent a Coder lets you locate and bid on coding projects and questions from around the world! By completing a free registration, you can publicize your skills on the online resume system and receive emails as new bid requests come in.

So those of you who are creating all those great free themes and plug-ins (which I hope you’ll continue to offer for the sake of the blogging community), you may wanna consider listing your talents at Rent A Coder and earning some extra $$ through freelancing.

I just did.

UPDATE: 11/28/05 Gratis Networks is now also known as FreePay, I’m thoroughly enjoying my free PSP, and am now dying to get a Free Xbox 360 (especially since they’re sold out in stores everywhere – not to mention that I can’t afford one). FreePay is giving away the premimum edition xbox 360 systems (which has backwards compatability for old xbox games) and I’d appreciate if you signed up using my referral link of http://xbox360s.freepay.com/?r=25124160

UPDATE 7/15/05: MY FREE PSP HAS ARRIVED!!!!! I will update the post to show pictures of the package, tracking info, and the beautiful, sweet, free PSP in my hands as soon as I get a chance. Now I’m shooting for a Free Nintendo DS, a Free MacMini, a Free Xbox (mine just died ) and an Apple 1GB iPod Shuffle

UPDATE 7/11/05: My FREE Sony PSP is on the way! See bottom of post for details! Free PSP referral links now point to those of this blog’s readers
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Everyone who knows me knows I’m a gadget and video game junkie. And since the release of Sony’s PSP, I’ve been drooling over them. But with having just bought a house, the budget’s been more than a little bit tight – so all I’ve been able to is watch with envy from a distance as everyone I knew bought their PSPs.

Like you, I’ve seen the ads all over the place for Free PSPs. And like you, I was pretty darn skeptical. I mean, come on – how can this not be a scam??

Well, it turns out that most of these promotions are scams. But one is actually legit! Yeah, I was shocked when I heard it, too. But you really can get your own brand spanking new Sony PSP for FREE.

OK – so here’s the scoop. The only company that’s running a legit deal on this is called Gratis Internet. There are lots of others out there with their supposed free offers but some quick google searches on those companies (like ExclusiveRewards, MetaReward, IncentiveRewardCenter, etc) as well as a check on Rip-off Report.com quickly show that these are to be avoided. At the bottom of this post, I will link to several articles from well known sources that confirm the validity of this offer – please remember to come back to my site and use my referral link (now someoone elses) ( http://www.FreePSPs.com/?r=19377901 )after checking them out.

Now, supposedly this only works using Internet Explorer, but all you have to do is 1) sign up, 2) complete one of 18 offers from such well known companies as Blockbuster, Columbia House, Citibank, Playstation Magazine, Cheap Trips, eFax, etc. The offers range from free trials to free stuff where you only pay shipping and handling fees, and you’re sure to find one that is of interest to you amongst the offers. If you have popups turned on, you can see details of what you need to do to complete the offer and how fast your account will be credited with having completed the offer. Some offers credit your account instantly, others can take a month or so, so read those popup infos.) 3) Next just refer 5 friends (or bloggers) using your referrral code (again, my referrals’ code is http://www.FreePSPs.com/?r=19377901 ). Once 5 of your referrals have also completed their chosen offer, you’ll be ready for your free psp and you just have to click a link on the ‘Status’ page to start the order process, wherein they’ll review your referrals to make sure they are real and unique individuals, and then they’ll send your free PSP out to you.

So, folks, if this blog has helped you at all in your endeavors to learn how to blog (or in finding WordPress templates, etc) AND you would enjoy receiving a free psp, then please click the referral link and when you’ve finished the process add a comment to this post and include your referral link. When I’ve gotten all 5 of my referrals, I’ll swap out the links on this post to use the referral links you’ve provided in the comments (in the order they were received) so that you can quickly get your five referrals, too.

And if you use my referral link, don’t forget to reply to this post and add your own referral link. Remember, it only takes 5 legit referrals to get the free PSP so once I have my 5, I won’t need any more referrals and I’ll use YOUR code for all the links instead of mine so you can get your free PSP that much faster.

Now, if only I could afford the pimped out bling bling Russell Simmons gold ‘n diamond-encrusted PSP case (it’s only $35,000) (haha – not). Give me a break – does anyone other than the folks on MTV cribs even want one of these cases? Jeez.

Oh yes, and in couse you’re still in doubt that Gratis Networks’offers are for real, check out these articles from Wired News, Engadget.com, this Video clip about freeiPods.com from NBC, NY Sun Article About
freeiPods.com, video clip about freeiPods.com from TheScreenSavers on TechTV . While these articles pertain mostly to the old offer for free ipods, they all prove that the company behind these free offers is for real.

——————————————————

Update:

7/11/05 – Last thursday I finally got enough valid referrals to request that my account be approved. I clicked that button, and it told me I’d have to wait 7–10 business while they approved my account. I figured they’d use the entire time to drag it out, but not 2 business days later my account was approved and I placed my order for my Free PSP, which is now being processed! Woohoo!!! Thanks to those who signed up underneath me! I’m switching out my Free PSP links to use those who signed up underneath me so you can get yours faster.

Hi all -

Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has been following my ‘How to Blog’ blog and/or linking to it

I also wanted to apologize for my lack of posting of late – I just bought a house, and have been non-stop busy with with all the details of moving (including no internet access for a while) that I haven’t had a moment to even work on the blog.

Rest assured that when I’m a little more settled into the new home, I’ll be back posting more tips, tricks, and tutorials about blogging ASAP! In fact, I can’t wait to continue to expand this blog much further – so stay tuned and pretty soon the updating shall commence!

Thanks for your patience!

Emily