About Russ
History, hobbies and interests
My main interests are computers and writing.
Other interests include my church, reading,
volunteer activities and Sudoku puzzles.
Learn about my family and interests in
computers, web design, writing and health
Family
I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada with my wife, Michelle, a crafter.
Our parents are now gone, but I have a brother living with his wife in New Westminster and a niece living in Vancouver. Michelle has two brothers living in Comox and North Vancouver.
We're Kidney Transplants
Both of us are kidney transplant patients. We have lived with renal (kidney) disease since our childhood. This has significantly impacted our lives and the choices available to us.
- On April 17th, 1996 I received the priceless gift of a living donor kidney from my brother, Todd.
- On December 24th, 2019 Michelle received her second kidney transplant (the first was December 4, 1979).
We met at a VIKPA meeting and have spent considerable time at events sponsored by the Kidney Foundation's Victoria Chapter until COVID made these unsafe. Both associations help renal patients and their families.
- Read about our history with kidney disease; or
- Learn more about kidney disease, treatment options & organ donation.
Computers & Internet
I've been working with computers since the early 1970s and have experienced the rapid development of many of the technologies employed by computers and devices today (as well as many that have long since been retired).
An innate curiosity and natural ability have enabled me to learn many different operating systems as well as a wide variety of software over the years.
From main-frame computers at the University of Victoria in the 1970s (programming with Fortran using punch cards) to PC precursors like the Timex Sinclair 1000 to desktop computers and laptops to tablets and smart phones, it has been a fascinating journey.
Russ Harvey Consulting
In 1996 I combined my interests and skills as a writer with my knowledge of web design and computers to start Russ Harvey Consulting — a computer and Internet services company.
I work mostly with Microsoft Windows, but I'm familiar with a broad range of software and hardware (both current and legacy versions) that run on various operating systems including macOS and Linux.
I also worked with IBM OS/2 and eComStation beginning in 1994, developing a OS/2 resource site that was considered an authority site at the time. Little remains because of changing technology and the disappearance of critical external resources.
In addition to my Windows and Linux computers, I have a M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone.
Web Design
I have developed and maintained well over 100 websites and blogs including my wife's craft site:
My design portfolio has some other examples.
My Websites
Creating websites by hand gives me the flexibility to use current techniques without worrying about the limitations of CMSs like WordPress. The sites I've designed are more durable even as design standards, web technologies, browsers, computers and other devices evolve.
In addition, I've worked with WordPress and Blogger, helping clients setup and maintain their blogs. Most of my current website work is maintaining WordPress-style sites for clients.
My “Sometimes” Blogs
My Russ' Rants blog was part of my research into blogging and customizing blog templates. I later built a WordPress blog for similar reasons. Neither site is currently maintained, although you will find some legacy posts on both.
When I started looking at blogs, Blogger (now owned by Google) was the premier blogging system. Most have since moved to WordPress.
Blogging Software Not Ideal for Websites
While WordPress is commonly used to build websites, it (and Blogger) were designed for blogging.
WordPress is used by 42.9% of all the websites, that is a content management system market share of 64.1%.
— W3Techs
Self-maintained sites tend to degrade over time because maintaining a successful website requires more than a superficial understanding of the technology. Websites can quickly become stale if a site isn't continually maintained unless the content is very generic.
Modern style websites generally feature huge graphics and minimal text which are aimed at smartphones and users with limited attention spans. I don't believe that all development goals can fit within those parameters; each site has its own requirements.
Blogs Ideal for Dynamic Content
I've developed “companion” blogs along side static sites for posting frequently-changing content like announcements, updates, meetings and newsletters. Stale content does not detract from a blog like it does on a regular site. Content is usually posted in chronological order so older material is “archived” without any interaction by the owner.
My Writing
Genres
In addition to creating and editing content for websites, I write non-fiction, short fiction and poetry. I enjoy the utility and majesty of language and love playing with “word pictures.” I experience this most powerfully with short fiction and poetry.
My non-fiction has included articles and how-to pieces related to computers and the Internet. I have also researched and written articles on toxic substances, alternative health and similar topics because of my own health issues (eventually resulting in a kidney transplant). Learn more about my writing & editing services.
Writing Resources
If you're a writer, check out Resources for Victoria Writers, a series of writing links I originally developed for the former Canadian Authors Association Victoria & Islands Branch's website. Victoria has folded into the Vancouver Branch.
Writing Relationships
Canadian Authors Association National Webmaster
I pioneered the development of websites for the Canadian Authors Association and served as the CAA's National Webmaster for 18 years. I developed then maintained several local CAA branch websites including the Victoria & Islands, National Capital Region (Ottawa), Toronto and Vancouver Branches.
After the CAA National site was rebuilt using WordPress was no longer involved. Locally-hosted branch sites were gradually shut down as they were incorporated into the CAA National redesign.
I often attended the CAA's national writing conferences and met many award-winning authors while honing my own writing craft.
Victoria & Islands Branch
I served as Victoria & Islands Branch President after holding various other positions within the Branch. I served two terms overseeing three CAA branches as the CAA British Columbia Regional VP. Today, only the Vancouver Branch remains.
Other Organizations
I served on the board of directors for the Victoria School of Writing, West Shore Arts Council as well as a deacon for my church. I was on the founding board for the Victoria Chapter of the Kidney Foundation and served on the Vancouver Island Kidney Patients Association board.
Health
Because of my life-long health issues culminating in a kidney transplant, I have a great interest in health and healing. I developed my Medical information and organ donation & transplantation pages as a public resource.
It is not my intention to replace your health team in the diagnosis or treatment of disease. My health-related pages are meant to be a resource for self-directed research into medical issues which should then be discussed with your doctor. I have a great deal of respect for the doctors, nurses and other medical services providers, the vast majority of whom are passionate about their work and their patients.
I am less impressed with self-serving pharmaceutical company polices. Though dependent upon the medical system to maintain my renal transplant, I have challenged some suggested treatments, including the lack of evidence for the universal use of statins.
In addition to traditional medicine you'll find information about alternative medicine and its related subjects. I've met some very vocal advocates of non-traditional treatments.
A Patient Partner
The Patient Voices Network (PVN) is a community of patients, families and caregivers working together with health care partners to improve BC's health care system.
— Patient Voices Network
More recently I have been serving as a patient partner on various health care committees and projects. I am currently the co-chair of the Community Advisory Group in the Victoria Primary Care Network (VPCN). I serve on the VPCN Steering Committee as well as some of its working groups.
I originally served as a patient partner in the Decision Making Committee that developed the proposal for the VPCN, later serving as one of three patient partners before a shift to Community Advisory Council.
Site Policies
Please review the Conditions of Use for this site and my site contact policies before contacting me. Both internal and external links may be removed without notice.
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Updated: May 5, 2025