Robert Fairhead had always dreamed of building a website called Tall And True to share writing. He tried using other platforms like Lotus Notes and WordPress, but found Joomla through a recommendation. With Joomla and extensions like JA Magz II, he was finally able to launch Tall And True in 2017 to provide a place for writers, readers, and publishers. Two years later, Tall And True continues online and Robert has learned that websites require ongoing content and that content management systems can enable previously difficult dreams to become reality.

1. How Joomla helped me realise my
dream and build a Tall And True website
for writers, readers and publishers.
Robert Fairhead
Rocher Communications
www.rocher.com.au

2. Once upon a time ...
• Born in England, grew up in Perth, moved to Sydney in 1980s
• Trained as an electrician, retrained as a computer programmer,
shifted into sales and marketing, moved back to programming
and website building, and now copywriting and dog training
• Hobbies include reading, writing, playing the guitar, walking my
dog, and cheering the Sydney Swans with my son
• Volunteer dog trainer with local dog club on most Sundays
• Elevator pitch, a middle-aged dad and dog owner.

3. A young boy loved to write ...
● My first “published” writing was an Enid
Blyton Secret Seven-Famous Five-style
adventure, Sand Island in 1972 — I was 10
years old
● I wrote and illustrated the story, my aunt
typed the manuscript, and my father helped
bind and cover the book
● Treasured first and only edition still exists!

4. He grew up and travelled ...
● From 1987 to 1996 lived in England and travelled throughout UK,
Europe, Middle East and Africa
● Travels inspired my writing — tried my hand at travel pieces, short
stories, long form fiction, and even plays
● Some encouraging feedback (Ian St. James Awards, 1992):
“This is excellent – well drawn characters, convincing
dialogue and fast moving plot. Passed forward for our
next round of judging.”

5. And wrote without success ...
“I was pleased to receive your short story ‘Mistaken Identity’, which
I have read with interest. Sadly I do not feel that this piece is right
for publication in our magazine. I am sorry to disappoint you about
this but wish every success with it elsewhere.”
Thankfully, these were the days of gentle rejections
(Bella Magazine, 1992):

6. He returned home to Sydney ...

7. Yet still dreamed of writing ...
BIG idea in January 2001
● Tall And True, a website for
writers, readers and publishers:
○ Writers — share and showcase their
work
○ Readers — read and comment on a
wide range of writing
○ Publishers — unearth new talent for
publication

8. He tried building his dream with
Lotus Notes/Domino ...

9. But it proved too hard ...

10. And then a birth changed his life ...

11. And he returned to 9-5 consulting ...

12. But he kept dabbling with websites ...

13. One day, someone mentioned Joomla ...
www.easternsuburbsdogtraining.org.au

14. A steep, but successful learning curve ...

15. But WordPress tempted him ...
www.robertfairhead.com

16. And his dream remained a dream ...

17. Until he found Joomlart’s JA Magz II ...💡
www.joomlart.com/demo/#magz-
ii

18. Added a bunch of extensions & hacks ...
● Joomla and Joomlart JA Magz II template (T3 Framework)
● Extensions:
○ Akeeba Backup and Admin Tools (www.akeebabackup.com)
○ Articles Anywhere by Regular Labs (www.regularlabs.com)
○ Disqus Comments by Joomla Works (www.joomlaworks.net)
○ JCE Editor Pro (www.joomlacontenteditor.net)
○ JCH Optimize Pro (www.jch-optimize.net)
○ JotCache (www.jotcomponents.net)
○ RSForm! Pro (www.rsjoomla.com)
○ sh404SEF (www.weeblr.com)
● Custom CSS and code hacks (eg. search and pagination)

19. And finally launched Tall And True
in August 2017 ...
www.tallandtrue.com.au

20. Today Tall and True is two years old ...
www.tallandtrue.com.au

21. Many lessons on the way ...
• “Have you ever used a content management system? Check
out Joomla. It's SUPER easy to use … after the initial WHAT
THE!? shock.” ~ developer who recommended Joomla for the
dog club website in 2008
• “Nothing is ever as easy as it looks.” ~ me at the Sydney JUG
Meetup when I launched Tall And True in 2017
• “A website is nothing without content.” ~ me at JoomlaDay
Australia, Brisbane 2019

22. And he still loves writing. (The End)
● Email: robertf@rocher.com.au
● Twitter: @tallandtrue
● Facebook: @robertfairheadtallandtrue
● Blog: www.robertfairhead.com
● Rocher Communications: www.rocher.com.au
● Dog Training: www.responsibledogtraining.com.au
● Tall And True: www.tallandtrue.com.au
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." ~
Maya Angelou — share and showcase your writing on Tall And True.