First, you’re probably wondering why I’m writing this post to my theme users thanking them. Well, I just purchased a new computer monitor, and it’s all thanks to you.
Huh?
Yes, wtih the donations you have given me, I finally decided to buy a little something for myself. So, I went over to Yongsan, my dream city, and drooled over all the electronics at the electronics market here in South Korea.
I’ve never seen so much technology before. I was sweating just walking into any one of the shops because they had so many computers, TVs, and any mobile phone you could possibly want running simultaneously.
As many of you know, I recently had a birthday (May 1). This was my birthday gift, so I wanted to thank you all.
Why I bought a new monitor
I’m a laptop guy. I always have been, always will be.
However, after about a month living in South Korea, my laptop monitor broke. I think it’s just the backlight, but it’s kind of hard getting things like that fixed in a foreign country, especially when you’re new and don’t know the language. Plus, I was broke at the time.
I bought an old monitor for ₩15,000 from a friend at work. It was a good investment, and I’ve since gotten used to looking at the external monitor.
Instead of investing in a new computer at the moment, I went ahead with the purchase of the new monitor for ₩320,000. I believe it was a worthwhile investment, and it let’s me continue saving money, which has been my plan for this year out in Korea.
I won’t bother going into all the specs as I really don’t understand enough about monitors to know what it all means. I will say that it’s a 19-inch LCD monitor that fits perfectly on the bedside table I have it sitting on.
Here’s a look at the old monitor versus the new monitor. My camera battery died before I could get in any decent pictures. If you’ve ever taken pictures of any kind of screen before, you know it’s hard to get the lighting just right.
- Old Monitor
- New Monitor
Yes, the first thing I took a look at was my website with the new monitor. I just had to see what JustinTadlock.com looked like with brighter colors.
Why you should be interested in this
OK. So, some of you gave me donations. What do you get back from my investment, or your investment?
The screen looks good and colors are much more vibrant than before. I can already see some major color variations between the old monitor and the new one. So, I’ll be able to see colors much clearer than I have before, which helps out when designing.
Plus, I’ll probably spend way more time online now that I have a new toy. That means more time spent working on cool, new WordPress things.
Anyway, thank you all, not only for the donations, but for the support as I continue my journey online.
Justin,
I wasn’t one of the donors
but your themes are among the best I’ve seen so far.
Anyway, Enjoy Your New Toy!.
Hilmy.
Good for you!! I’m so glad people are donating. You really deserve it for all the work you’ve done and continue to do.
It’s amazing how colors can look so different from one monitor to the next… have fun with your new toy.
Wow. Cool monitor, man, I didn’t know it was your birthday, Happy Birth Month to you. By the way, is that Windows XP, or vista with XP theme?
That’s an awesome monitor you got there. Happy belated birthday
@J Mehmett: From what I observe (little details and everything), it’s Firefox with an IE7 theme on Windows XP.
Hilmy
Thanks. I’m definitely enjoying it.
Christine
It’s definitely amazing how colors are different from one monitor to the next. I always check my site and designs at work, and everything looks different there too.
J Mehmett
I’m using the Vista-aero theme for Firefox on Windows XP. It helps when switching between IE7 and Firefox for testing because of the default button layout.
BoltClock
Looks like you got it right guessing my version of Windows, browser, and theme.
I haven’t moved up to Vista yet, but a lot of people tell me they just don’t like it. Quite a few have moved back to XP.
Justin, I’d like to donate but I can’t figure out how! I left a note on the form in your contacts page but haven’t heard back and I can’t find an email address or paypal button anyplace around here… am I going stupid in my old age? (It’s entirely possible, I’m 33
).
Happy new monitor!!
Ricky
Congrats for getting new monitor. You deserve the donation, your themes are super premium
Happy belated birthday.
Happy birthday! Enjoy your new monitor, you deserve it!
I would also like to join the saluting crowd there: your work is nothing but GREAT!
Stefan/Sweden
Happy belate birthday, and i always admire your work which i did mentioned earlier.
Plus i think i have recommended your webblog themes via twitter too. So far, i’ve seen, your the best and clean looking themes that i’ve downloaded and used.
http://www.twitter.com/davcheong
Happy Birthday Justin! And we always thank you too for creating cool things in WordPress!
Have a Great time in SK!
Ricky
Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you about that. I’m the worst person in the world when it comes to replying to emails, which is generally because of time constraints. There are PayPal buttons on both my Structure and Options theme pages. They’re kind of hidden away from the main content though, so you’re not getting stupid in your old age.
If you’d like to donate for the Options theme, just click this link, and you’ll be taken to a donation page.
SE7EN
Thanks. I’m really enjoying. I haven’t left the computer except to go out for pizza this afternoon since I got it.
StefanJ
Thank you. I’m definitely enjoying the monitor.
David
Thanks for the Twitter recommendations. I finally made a few “tweets” (I guess that’s what you call them) in the past couple of weeks. It’s something I’ve been interesting in using but never get around to it.
MhawSaya
It’s been great out here in Korea, but I’m a bit ready to visit home for a while. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Thanks for great themes and the support on forums! I havent finished the modification yet but I will soon reply to the email for credit link removal from footer… neways I just want to thank you and emaild you a thank you token:) thanks again…
Lucky you! I remember when I switched to TFT, man what a difference. Happy b-day
that’s great – will have to check xe.com to get a sense of those prices in dollars – will drop you a little cash later this week
I sincerely love your STRUCTURE theme. Congratulations on your new monitor! Happy Birthday and best wishes!
Options is amazing. Thanks!
Well Justin, don’t even think about owning Vista. It’s a sin in itself.
Well you deserve it pal, and besides it’s about time.
So far so good in the new place?
Oh, I’m behind on replying to comments.
Dhaval
Let me know when you get your modification up. I’d love to see it.
wpGuy
I’ve barely left the computer since I bought this thing. I suppose it’s both a blessing and a curse.
catsandbeer
Exchange rates are pretty rough right now. I want to send money home, but the Korean won isn’t doing as well as it was about a month ago. I try to wait for opportune times to send over money.
Ely
Thanks. I’m glad you like Structure. It’s my favorite, and, of course, the most downloaded theme I have.
Demannu
You’re welcome.
BoltClock
I’ll have to keep that in mind whenever I get around to getting a new computer.
Kay
New place? I’ve been here 9 months now.
Everything is good though. I enjoy every minute of being out here.
Welcome to the tweet tweet world
Glad to have you in.
i think i like XP more then vista to. congratulation with your new monitor, i have a plan to buy new one within few next day.
You’re the Great! Wish you enjoying your work.
Yeah, you deserved the donation for all your hard work and brilliant coding/design. Your Option is the best and been searching all this time for it. You know what bloggers wants.
Thanks also for the donors.
Go! Justin Go!
Hello Justin,
I’m new to WordPress and also to owning a domain. When I started I realized quickly that I wasn’t able to create my own theme so I started browsing the free ones available. Came across «Options» after trying out a few others.
Just wanted to say that I appreciate the tremendous amount of work you’ve put into this…and for FREE! I’m very happy that I found it and it’s so much fun too, now that I’ve got the hang of it.
How come you’re in South Korea…work?
David
Yeah, I’m trying to get on there a little more often. I really need to be hooked up more technologically throughout the day when I have decent random thoughts but nothing to do with them.
Lite Review
Let me know what monitor you get and how well it works. As of now, I’ll probably stick with XP.
Kosol
Thanks for your kind words.
Den
I think I’m starting to get the hang of everything now with figuring out what people want from their themes. User feedback on my forums has really helped refine the Options and Structure themes in the last few months.
rebkin
Thanks for the compliments.
I’m teaching English in Korea right now. I’ve been here just a little over nine months. It’s a great place to live. I’m not too far out of Seoul, so I’m in one of the busiest areas in Asia, getting to meet a lot of interesting people.