Close The Deal

One of my first projects with InGrid Design was to develop a site for a new grant program being built by GLI (Greater Louisville Inc.). We were tasked to come up with an identity, overall design theme for the program, several print pieces, web design, and completion of the site in about 3 1/2 weeks. We met our goal, and were proud to show the results.

The Close The Deal program was put in place to help those high school students that are the first in their family to head towards college. Providing documents and support for those who may not know what to expect or may be overwhelmed by all that needs to be done for the college admissions process.

I have to say, I spent years dissuading clients and bosses from using .NetNuke. Most of that was based on ignorance of ASP/.NET as well as experience with PHPNuke. But this project went very smoothly, was relatively easy to train the client to use, and everyone ended up happy.

Site Features:

• .NetNuke CMS
• Message Forums
• User Group/Permissions Management for Councellor only areas
• Rotating Flash images
• Scrolling javascript plugins

Tech used: HTML, CSS, ASP

Wordpress Custom Dashboard Panel

I made up a little custom dashboard widget for our clients at Louisville Web Group. At current, we’re placing this on the majority of our client’s WordPress installations. It gives the client a quick, easy way to see our contact information as well as a central spot to download their support documentation/”how-to guide”. I’m going to look into expanding this a bit in the future, possibly with a bit of JSON so that instead of having to update each dashboard with new info individually, I could update all dashboards simultaneously. This would be great for alerting clients to upcoming server maintenance or holiday hours.

http://blog.monochrome.co.uk/2009/02/if-architects-had-to-work-like-software-developers/

After that? Hopefully I’ll be able to finally write the Shows/Event app for Louisville Hardcore.com that I’ve been wanting to do forever. I need to have it read the user tables from the forums, and then allow those users to post information to a separate database that will archive shows/events after the indicated time for each one. Not hard in theory, but it’s something new to try.

I guess once all of that is done, I’ll try to come up with a new design for this site… yeah, right. Thank you pre-fab wordpress designs!

Louisville Web Group

While working at Louisville Web Group, it was decided that we needed a new site to help refresh the brand’s image and bring in new customers. With an eye towards SEO, I set out to build a larger site involving social networking and blogging – bringing LWebG’s site into the present and ahead of many local competitors.

The site incorporates the WordPress blogging platform outfitted with a number of plugins to make the site into more of a CMS. Multiple template files were created for the different layouts and sidebars seen through the site. The homepage incorporates random PHP scripts to pull in the video testimonials and featured sites dynamically as well as the main title image being dynamically set depending on the time of day. During the morning you should see a “morning” photo of Louisville, during the day see a daytime image, etc…

I also installed and configured the forms and support software on the new site, as well as am the primary maintainer of the LWebG Twitter account.

I am adding and configuring e-commerce software as well to allow clients to pay invoices online and for potential clients to sign up for hosting accounts. Hopefully those items will be available in July 2009.