Welcome to PCWv2.0, the beginning of a bold new era for our favorite Weiners.

If you’re here, you probably have a lot of questions concerning the new site, the domain name switch, etc. So, without further ado, let me explain.

1. Why pcweenies.net?

Ans: This was a tough decision, but ultimately guided by two dominant factors:

a) the inherent limitations of the old site design

b) the need for a clean break from the past

Don’t worry – pcweenies.org won’t be going anywhere. It’s now rebranded as PC Weenies Classic. The flexibility that the Comicpress / WordPress combo affords, along with the direction and scope of comics I plan to tackle in pcweenies.net made the decision to start over with a new domain name inevitable. For instance, I want to be able to tackle a few multi-panel comics from time to time. The new site has a structure that will make it easier for me to post such comics without the limitations that held back the previous site. The new site will also let me present single panel comics in a larger size as well.

2. Why Comicpress / WordPress? Why didn’t you develop a custom site design like pcweenies.org?

Ans: Comicpress is a wonderful app written by Tyler Martin. It runs on-top of a standard WordPress install. The Comicpress / WordPress combo makes it really easy for me to have full control over the structure and presentation of my site. The new site foundation is stable, fast, and very easy to update and maintain. I first dabbled with CP/WP over at Uncubed, back in August. I liked the power, ease of use and flexibility of Comicpress so much that it was only a matter of time before I implemented it for The PC Weenies.

3. What does the new site have that the old one doesn’t? What features have been removed in the transition over to the new site?

Ans: For starters, linking to direct comics is now a piece of cake. Tagging comics to various social networks has also been implemented. The new site offers a more robust method of dealing with comment spam than its predecessor which I really like as well. Using the WP/CP combo made it easy to integrate custom ads – ads which will help provide some income to offset operational expsenses.

What’s gone is the ability to e-mail a ‘toon to a friend. This will probably upset a few people. If I find an adequate plug-in that will give me that functionality, I may integrate that feature back into the site. I’ve also jettisoned the community forum / message board (at least for a while).

4. Will you still draw single panel comics?

Ans: Yes. Single panel comics are still plenty of fun for me to create, so I don’t anticipate abandoning that format anytime soon. But I also want to tackle multi-panel comics as well, and the new site structure will make it easier for me to publish in that format.

5. What is the RANDOM NERDS COMICS GROUP? Can I join?

Ans: RNCG is basically an umbrella group for my two webcomics, The PC Weenies and Uncubed. I didn’t plan it as a webcomic collective or anything like that, but if you’re interested in something like that, drop me a note. I can’t promise anything.

6. What does v2 stand for in the logo header?

Ans: Version 2.0 – it represents two things: the new direction for the PCW comics and the new website overhaul.

7. Will you do a link exchange with my website?

Ans: I’ve specifically avoided adding a links page to this website, because – how can I say this without being a cranky webcartoonist curmudgeon? – it’s so 1990′s. I’m always receptive to hearing about other sites and such, and if I feel so compelled I will do a write-up in my blog – but know that I’m under no obligation to do so. The best way for you to get your message across to my readers is to purchase some ads on my site.

8. Whither the PC Weenies Toon Mailer?

Ans: Nope. The toon mailer is here to stay. If you’d like to be on the e-mail list, use the Contact Form to get in touch with me.

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So hopefully the reasons for moving to pcweenies.net are a little clearer now. That said, please drop me some feedback on the site re-design. I’m always receptive to hearing about new ideas or other ways I can improve the site. Oh, and if you’re reading via RSS, don’t forget to update your feed.

Stay ‘tooned,

-Krishna

Riddle me this:

I’ve had a Linksys Wireless Router (WRT54G) for about a year now. Everything’s worked perfectly, until the last several days. Now, it seems that after a short period of inactivity, my router dies. The only solutions I’ve discovered so far are:

1) Periodically unplug and replug said router (a pain in the you-know-what)

2) Launch the Terminal and constantly ‘ping’ the router (doesn’t work)

I’ve set up WPA security on my router and limited the address table to the MAC addresses of the machines on my network. I’m running two Macs with 10.5.1. I’ve searched around on the Intertubes and it seems that there are oodles of other folk on the web having the same exact problem. Unfortunately, finding a concrete solution by narrowing my search parameters has been something of a challenge. Perhaps someone can shed light on this?

-Krishna

Update: The problem, from what I’ve been able to discern, has something to do with WPA protection. Switching to WEP (the less secure of the two) seems to have fixed the problem. I also unplugged and ‘reset’ the router by hitting the button on the back of the unit. Alas, I’ve spoken too soon. The problem still exists.

I’m a big fan of the Beatles and Led Zeppelin – so finding this clip was just too bizarre for me not to share…

So, yesterday’s router troubles only grew this morning. 4 second uptime, tops – progressively worse than the 4 minute between resets I was experiencing last night. The Linksys wireless router was in its death throes – I should have seen it coming…

Throwing dollars at the problem seems to have helped, as I walked away from my local Best Worst Buy with a Netgear SuperG Wireless Router. Set-up was ridiculously straight-forward. The Netgear-supplied CD wizard actually worked on a Mac – gasp! – something that I could never say about Linksys, who still appear to view the Mac platform as supporta nongrata. Suffice to say, I’m impressed with Netgear.

At least for now.

Time will tell, as it always does, as to whether this device is in for the long haul…

-Krishna