About Russ & His Interests
About Russ | Computers & Internet | My Writing
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About Russ Harvey
I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada with my wife, Michelle, a crafter.
On April 17th, 1996 I received the priceless gift of a living donor kidney from my brother, Todd.
Both of us are kidney transplant patients and have needed to deal with renal (kidney) disease since our childhood. We met through associations that help renal patients. This significantly impacted on our lives.
Read about our history with kidney disease or learn more about organ donation & transplantation.
My Interests
My main interests are computers and writing. Other interests include reading, my church, volunteer activities and Sudoku puzzles.
Family
Both my parents are now gone, but I have a brother living in New Westminster with his wife and daughter.
Michelle's parents live in North Vancouver and she has two brothers in Vancouver and Comox.
Computers & Internet
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 Windows, but I'm familiar with a broad range of software and hardware (both current and older versions) that run on various other operating systems including macOS, OS/2, eComStation and Linux. In addition to my Windows and Linux computers, I have a MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone.
Web Design
I have developed and maintained well over 100 websites and blogs. My design portfolio has some examples.
Creating websites by hand rather than using HTML-generators gives me the flexibility to develop them using current techniques without worrying about limitations that CMSs like WordPress suffer from. This makes my sites more durable as design standards, web technologies, browsers, computers and other devices change.
My “Sometimes” Blog
My blog, Russ' Rants, was part of my research into blogging and customizing blog templates. I have a WordPress blog for similar reasons.
You'll quickly realize that I don't spend a lot of time adding content to my blogs. My self-help pages (over 80 pages of information and links to resources) allow me to express myself and keep me busy since technologies are constantly changing.
Blogging Software Not Ideal for Websites
While WordPress is commonly used to build websites, that is not where its strength lies. WordPress and Blogger were designed for blogging.
Self-maintained sites tend to degrade over time because maintaining a successful website requires more than a superficial understand of the technology.
Blogs For Dynamic Content
A blog is useful for posting frequently-changing content like announcements, updates, meetings and newsletters.
Because of the nature of blogs, stale content does not detract from their function like it does on a regular site. Blog content is usually posted in chronological order so older material is “archived” without any interaction by the owner.
My History with Computers
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 a lot of 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 (programmed with punch cards) to PC precursors like the Timex Sinclair 1000 to desktop computers to laptops to tablets and smart phones, it has been a fascinating journey.
My Writing
Genres
In addition to creating and editing content for websites, I write in the non-fiction, short fiction and poetry genres.
I enjoy the majesty of words 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 also research and write articles on toxic substances, alternative health options and similar issues because of my own health issues which eventually resulting in a kidney transplant.
You can learn more about my writing services on my Writing & Editing Services page.
Writing Resources
If you're a writer, check out Resources for Victoria Writers, a series of writing links I originally developed for the Canadian Authors Association Victoria & Islands Branch website (now closed).
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.
The CAA National site has since been rebuilt using WordPress and I am no longer involved. As the various branches were incorporated into the CAA redesign locally-hosted branch sites were gradually shut down.
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 was 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.
Other Organizations
I was also involved with the Victoria School of Writing and West Shore Arts Council, serving on their board of directors as well as their Webmaster.
Medical Links Page
I maintain a series of medical links that reflect my interest in health and healing. In addition to traditional medicine you'll find information about alternative medicine and toxic substances.
In spite of my dependence on the medical system to maintain my renal transplant, I've met some very vocal advocates of non-traditional treatments and have some opinions that would challenge the status-quo.
Conditions of Use
Be sure to read the information at the top of each page in my personal site, including the disclaimer for each page. It is not my intention to replace your health team, but to for these pages to be a resource for self-directed research into medical issues.
You should also view the Conditions of Use for this site before continuing.
