Annoying question the nth (and guys, I'm doing a lot of research on my own, but I figure if I ask here first, someone will likely already know, and save me time so I can DO MORE STUFF.)

I'm planning on using DreamHost to register the domain name and handle my website stuff. I'm planning on using WordPress.org, because I'm used to the interface for WP.com.

So...if I register the domain name and use DreamHost as my host but WP.org as my...whatever...website creator? will I still have erin--------.com as my WP.org site name?

(Xpost with Natter)

Thanks, le nubian! I am trying to get all my questions and ducks and cats in a row before I do anything, so I'll do it RIGHT, but if I need the invite, I will for sure be happy to take you up on that.

I believe you also can get google voice for apps (that is, if you register your domain email/calendar, etc. through google)

I have done it with one of my domains, but it has laid dormant since I haven't needed to use it as much.

So...if I register the domain name and use DreamHost as my host but WP.org as my...whatever...website creator? will I still have erin--------.com as my WP.org site name?

I think what you want is to have your WordPress blog hosted on your domain? So, for example, the blog would be at erinisawesome.com/blog or just erinisawesome.com? If so, yes, that is easy. Wordpress.org doesn't host blogs the way Wordpress.com does. The .org version provides the software that you download to your domain so that your domain hosts it directly. They provide REALLY EASY instructions for doing this. Also, I am not a Dreamhost customer, but I'm pretty sure Dreamhost provides a one-click solution to add a Wordpress blog to your domain. You won't even need to visit Wordpress.org -- Dreamhost will do it all for you! But a Dreamhost-using Buffista should confirm this.

Anyone want to design a website for me in exchange for a share of the (probably never materializing) profits?

It would need to be a blog with a tip jar where the tips could be earmarked.

I'm probably craxy but I think this could be Julie & Julia... with Porn!

edit: if you're interested, I should be able to send you a very rough idea of what the blog will look like during the first week (complete with the intriguing first entry!) by about 9pm board time tonight.

Jon, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I did a bunch of research, and you guys were so helpful. It's doing exactly what I need it to do.

Erin, I actually like google voice and I think the app interface with my phone works well. But I just wanted to mention that the first time someone calls it asks them to say their name. I thought it would be off-putting to my clients so I paid fo a separate line. YCustomersMV, of course.

Nonian,

you can have Google Voice turn off this feature.

Oh, that would have been good to know. Well, then, I totally love Google Voice and I'm glad I learned something new.

Google Voice tip:

I customize my outgoing message based on caller id (Beau gets one that is a bit different from my standard) and I have a more formal outgoing message to unknown callers.

I also have the occasion to block callers due to spam, or repeated wrong numbers.

It is not easy to search your GV contacts for those you have set up special rules for, so I make note of it in the "notes" area of the contact, so I can search on that if I need to change/remove a call rule later.

you can have Google Voice turn off this feature.

You can even have it on for some people and off for others (using Groups).