This is just a brief update rather than a full-blown article…
And speaking of full-blown, some of you may know that this website experienced a severe malware attack recently. This resulted in this website and its content being overtaken and cloned into thousands of fake spam sites. The episode even went so far as to publish fake articles not written or approved by me.
So, to put it short, it was a technical nightmare for someone like me, who is allergic to computer coding.
Malware attacks have become a prevalent threat in our increasingly digitized world, causing serious disruptions on a wide scale. They can wreak havoc on a website, crippling its functionality. In 2022 alone, an estimated one-third of all computer users were victims of some form of malware attack, emphasizing just how widespread these attacks have become.
Beefing up security was in itself a disruptive and expensive process and honestly, I had to question if it was worth the investment at all?
But with some good advice from friends and family, and true to the creative journey with all its twists and turns, I did as former presidential chief of staff/mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel would insist: I didn’t let a terrible crisis go to waste.
This phrase “Never let a crisis go to waste” has been attributed to Rahm Emanuel, who served as Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama and later as the Mayor of Chicago. He reportedly used the phrase in the context of the 2008 financial crisis, suggesting that such periods of turmoil and upheaval can also provide opportunities for innovation and change.
This concept is not new and is grounded in the philosophy of turning adversity into opportunity. The essence of this sentiment is that crises, while challenging and often destructive, can also break down existing barriers and open up new paths for growth, learning, and improvement. It suggests that crises, by virtue of their disruptive nature, can force us to re-evaluate established norms and strategies, catalyzing necessary change and prompting creative solutions to complex problems.
Instead of just weathering the storm, it’s about learning to dance in the rain and leveraging the crisis as a catalyst for positive transformation.
So, in regards to this website revamp, out of the ashes of broken links 404 Errors, new security measures and a whole new design has emerged.
Fortunately, during the recent malware attack on Fromlight2art, no user data was compromised. However, this incident served as a critical wake-up call, reinforcing the need for robust website security. As a result, we’ve significantly enhanced our security measures, ensuring our site is not just resilient, but better equipped to protect both itself and its users against such threats in the future.
It has been over a year now since I have taken the plunge to invest myself in this project, sharing my passion, experience, knowledge, time, and taste with you all. It’s true that after learning about the hack attack, while on vacation and away from my desktop, I felt helpless and I honestly considered throwing in the towel.
But I am glad to say that since using the chance to improve user experience and upgrade the look, feel, and design of the site, logo, and all, Fromlight2art is experiencing a rebirth, redesign, and resolve to stay in it for the long haul.
For new visitors or those with a short memory, here is a screenshot of the old site, for the record…
As you can see the old version was ready for a website revamp. The banner was changed, the user interface was streamlined, the website sections were laid out to be hopefully more clearly displayed, and even the logo was tweaked and updated.
But although some things may look different, one thing hasn’t changed – my commitment to bringing you authentic, engaging, and insightful content. While this experience has tested my resolve, it has also strengthened my dedication. Fromlight2art is and always will be, a platform for celebrating and sharing the transformative power of art.
Thank you once again for your patience and support during this challenging time. I hope you enjoy the new look and feel of the site, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Keep creating, keep inspiring, and let’s embrace the art of possibility together!
