Have you ever spent a lot of time planning for a party? You sit down and brainstorm menu ideas, buy decorations that take forever to put up, make food, even think of topics of interest to stir up conversation in case the room goes silent. Making a website is similar.

I've spent a good month planning and putting together this website. I went out and found the best links I could, I tried to make sure I had "something for everyone", I sweated over the details of code, and tried to create a welcoming atmosphere. Then I "sent out the invitations" by telling people it exists.

And just like at the start of the party, you wonder if anybody is going to come. You sit, anxious, and wait. You watch the "guests online" indicator and see the number start to rise...2...4...8...13(!) and then inevitably lower...10...6...2. All the while I think "Do they like it? Is it working? Was it a success? What did I forget?" I'm 13 years old all over again, wondering when someone will cross the "dance floor" and break the ice on the forum.

The difference is that of course, this is an ongoing party; a party that will last for as long as I think this website is useful. I still have to wait for Google to pick it up and add it to the search index. I have to be patient for people to FIND the website.

The good part is that so far I've gotten messages and emails that are positive. And if I get to help even 5 people by having this website, I've thrown a pretty good party.

Danielle