APEX News Interview - September 2009
Disclaimer: Interviews published express the views of the contributing parties and are not necessarily those of the APEX Board of Directors and / or the APEX Newsletter Editor.
Introducing Denny Lancaster - the owner of Lancaster's Laughing Place and who is the current Director of Memberships at APEX.
Interviewer - Hi Denny - welcome to the APEX interview room and thank you for giving our members the opportunity to learn a little about you.
To begin, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself? ( You may include any personal information you wish to share. )
Denny - The greatest joy in my life, at an older age are my grand children, my Shetland Sheep dogs and sitting quietly as my wife reads to the grand babies. I learn a lot by listening - not talking, especially about myself.
[ TOP ]
Interviewer - What was it that initially stirred your interest and convinced you to create and / or manage web sites?
Denny - Ten years of living hell as a care giver for six relatives who suffered from Alzheimer disease. A deep abiding love for a grand mother who taught me ASL and Two Handed Old English Signing at age eight. Then to leave our children with a road map of AD. In the event either or both my wife and myself also developed AD. To unwind and find peace by extolling the virtues of our disABLED. The many reasons why being inclusive of those less fortunate than ourselves really helped us. For one day, but for the grace of God, there we may be too.
Interviewer - How long has your web site been online and what benefits have you personally experienced by having a web site?
Denny - Our first web presence was in 1986 on a main frame. The benefits are literally too numerous to state. However that greatest satisfaction still comes when someone will nominate a web site for the Talking Hands Award. The realization that someone cares enough about another person. To write something positive and truthful. As to why the nominated web site should receive the award? Left up to me only, every nominated web site would receive the award if nominated by someone other than the web site owner.
[ TOP ]
Interviewer - What ( if any ) do you consider to be the positives and / or negatives of having web sites?
Denny - There are no negatives. But to understand the positives, fully. A reader would have to literally place themselves in the shoes of an AD caregiver. Understand fully when little things start to slip and then slide. Something is around the corner which may be a living hell. Not for ones self, but for a caregiver.
Interviewer - Who, if anyone, influenced you the most when you began to create your web sites or when your web sites initially went online and how did this person or these persons influence you?
Denny - Bernie Howe and Dave Griffith. Both persisted. Both lent encouraging words, always.
[ TOP ]
Interviewer - In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake a non-professional web site designer might make?
Denny - Biting off more than they can chew. Simply put. Any effort in which we engage has time restraints. We can elect to either manage time or have time manage us. There is in reality, enough time in any one day. To manage what we wish to do. Either for our family, community or our online activities. Yet we, the providers of helping others rarely set aside time for ourselves. So fatigue, frustration and a host of other mental obstacles plague us. So start today with self improvement. Thirty minutes for just walking, being alone, reciting the Rosary, exercise using power strength techniques. Now we have started a process which will last a life time.
Interviewer - What tips can you give to web site owners who are looking to improve their web sites?
Denny - Improving ones own web site must always start with self. Not satisfying others. Expressing individuality and daring to be different. So if we literally put the pencil to our efforts. Time versus benefit analysis. Then who benefits from our time and what are the benefits. A shock is in store.
[ TOP ]
Interviewer - Do you consider accessibility and validation of coding to be important? Whether yes or no please tell us why..
Denny - Absolutely! For two reasons: Accessibility has to do with others. Ourselves too. But for the grace of God there we may be one day too. The other reason. Time! Clean valid HTML code. No matter what flavor one uses. Requires more time initially but the time savings with updating, improvements, additions is simply not grasped by anyone who does not remotely attempt critical thinking. That reasoning promotes brain cell rejuvenation.
Interviewer - You are the owner of at least one APEX Member web site. Why did you decide to join APEX originally and what benefits has this membership provided to you over the years?
Denny - I have taught ethics and logic at both the college and high school level. Supporting an online ethics organization was a no brainer.
Interviewer - Is there anything further you would like to add?
Denny - Thinking about first doing something for yourself. Improvement. exercise, reading - is not being selfish. It is all about mentally and physically being prepared to help others.
Interviewer - Thank you Denny. The time you have given is much appreciated.
Acknowledgement: The above interview is Copyright © Denny Lancaster 2009 - 2010 with sole publishing rights being held by APEX and may not be republished and / or redistributed without the written permission of the Author.