Website, Virtual Walks
Website Limitations, Analytics, Terms of Service
In 2018, I built my current website using Adobe Portfolio. I reviewed other website builders such as Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress. In the end, I liked the tight two-step integration with Lightroom CC, so I went with Portfolio.
In my use of Portfolio, I've encountered several limitations. Among others, I can't add tables of contents with internal links to section headers (in red font), create drop-down menus, or add next and prior navigation links on the bottom of the album pages. Consequently, you'll need to skim or scroll through each page and use your browser's forward and back controls.
Portfolio also doesn't support image tags or searching, such as you'll find with my content on Flickr. I frequently add reference links to my photos on Flickr. I like to learn more about what I captured and share what I've learned for context. In Flickr, you can right-click the link to open a new web page. Unfortunately, the links aren't active on the photos I post here.
After I initially built my site, I moved from my WalksInPortland domain to PNWPhotoWalks. I did so when I changed my username on my Twitter and Instagram accounts to recognize the communities other than Portland where I was walking.
I use Google Analytics to monitor site traffic and performance. Currently, Google Analytics is the only web analytics service supported by Adobe Portfolio. I don't use Google Ads or any of their other marketing or e-commerce services because I'm not selling anything.
I also still need to add a Terms of Service (TOS) page to my site. I'm researching good representative models. For now, know that I don't track IP addresses and I would never sell user data, even if it were aggregated and anonymized. See my social media page for more.
The avatar that I currently use on my site and on Flickr is a photo I took when I was waving from the Failing Street Pedestrian Bridge steps in Portland.
Future Content Plans, Virtual Walks
Now that I've amassed a large (~40K) collection of photos from my walks and hikes, I plan to use a portion of my content to create “virtual” walks.
My target audience will be individuals in the region who are immobile and/or experiencing the early to middle stages of Alzheimer's. When my mom was ill, I fondly remember having long-distance phone conversations with her when I controlled her computer remotely and we “walked” together.
Among other steps in my project, I need to find a non-profit partner who will want to use the walks. The Oregon Alzheimer's chapter is one prospect. Another option might be a memory care facility in the Portland metro region. If you know a non-profit organization or an individual, such as a clinician, that you think might be interested, please let me know. You can contact me via this form.
I also plan to call on a few of my family members to give feedback on the pilot videos, e.g., lengths, mixes of content from different walks, soundtrack overlays, etc.
I don't know yet where I'll host the video content. I'm looking into different platforms. I'll likely use my WalksInPortland domain, which seems fitting.
Last updated: 11/2/2022