Blog

Vision Quest Website Design

2010-06-15T18:16:34Z

At Exyst, we recently launched Vision Quest new website. The site is built upon X-Cart for future e-commerce capability and expansion.

Goodbye ExpressionEngine comments, hello Disqus

2010-05-27T18:22:42Z

ExpressionEngines comment module is not the most effective commenting system. I have been a bit annoyed with it lately, on just about every EE site I have developed, as well as my own. It was time to replace it with a better system. Thankfully someone has abstracted the commenting concept out into a web service called Disqus.

Disqus (dis·cuss • dĭ-skŭs’) is all about changing the way people think about discussion on the web. We’re big believers in the conversations and communities that form on blogs and other sites.

Disqus Comments is a comment system…

F. Robert Bell website redesign

2010-05-27T16:21:15Z

Endeavor Creative contracted me for the redesign of F. Robert Bells website. My role was web designer, and I provided the website mockup from Endeavor Creatives consultation, and the HTML & CSS templates.

Check out the site - http://frobertbell.com/

Hot Shot the Robot website redesign

2010-05-26T14:54:54Z

I am very excited to announce the launch of HotShots new website. This was a very fun project.

Check out the new site - http://hotshottherobot.com/

Be sure to follow them on Twitter - @HOTSHOT_ROBOT

DataSpear - Adobe AIR Application

2010-05-26T07:45:44Z

We (at Exyst) have recently launched an Adobe AIR application called DataSpear. DataSpear is a modernized replacement for a Random Access Database system written around 15 years ago. The application does real time automatic syncing with other users changes from a server application written in CakePHP.

My role on this project, in the beginning, was User Interface designer, and Server API development. Halfway through the project I was moved up to development lead and completed the programming. My contributions to the final development was improved system performance, automatic syncing with the server app, and offline access.

The application…

Evco Interiors

2010-03-15T19:49:30Z

At Exyst we have recently launched a new website redesign for Evco Interiors. My role on this project was Project Manager, Web Designer, and Web Developer.

The Email Habit

2009-12-24T18:51:50Z

I stumbled across this great list of tips and habits for professional freelancers, and a few really stuck out as being crucial, not just for freelancers, but for any professional.

Fun with CakePHP Admin Routing

2009-12-17T00:39:46Z

If you develop with CakePHP I am sure you are familiar with its admin routing feature. It’s a nice way to separate your app into a user frontend, and an administrator backend.

City of Sparks unveils new logo

2009-12-15T05:55:51Z

Sparks has a new logo. It was approved monday. They have yet to decide on a color palette. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I am sure it will grow on me and it kinda makes me want to take a drive through Sparks to check out the temporary signage and anything else that has the new mark on it.

New Website Launch - Reno Style Magazine

2009-12-13T19:51:18Z

I have recently launched a new website for Reno Style Magazine. We used CMS Made Simple as the foundation for the website.

Task Management

2009-12-13T08:23:24Z

I am a bit late to the game here, but I wanted to say that Remember the Milk is a fantastic way to track your tasks. It’s a web based task management system and has a decent iPhone app. They do hook you with the app as it requires a Pro account to use after 15 days.

RFPs are not a good way to build relationships with designers

2009-11-10T19:26:44Z

I was recently in a presentation to show our “solution” for a companies RFP (request for proposal). I was not involved in the planning, but was there for technical support. During the presentation I couldn’t help but think that the very first thing the presenter said was extremely accurate, and the reason we lost the bid. “How can we develop a solution and plan for your project unless we understand your business, yourselves, and your projects goals.” I might not have started with that, but he was right. This would require a working relationship while we learn and understand, and…

How To Showcase Programming Projects?

2009-11-01T00:36:55Z

So much of my work is visual, and the work section of this website is designed for that. It is challenging to showcase my custom programming projects. I have yet to find a good way to do it, that makes sense with the design work. I have dozens of projects that I would like to present here but so far have not been able to. How would you do it?

I have considered having a second portfolio, with the programming projects, but am not sure if that is the best solution. I am probably making this more difficult than…

CRM & Web Business Management Tools

2009-10-30T16:24:00Z

At my previous employer we did not have a very good record of existing clients, domains, and their hosting packages. We also did not really have a solid hosting platform, no disaster recovery, or solid backups. We were very new and very fresh and very, very reactive. Then a terrible thing happened with our hosting, and with no legit recovery system we were forced to migrate dozens of websites by hand. Seeing an opportunity to not only improve our backup/recovery process, but to develop a very solid database of clients, domains, and hosting packages, we quickly threw together a MySQL database and interface to store the information. This system became the backbone of the company, evolving into a domain expiration reporting tool, automatic web reports generation tool, client management with call/email/issue logging, several misc handy utilities, daily email reports, all neatly tied into the companies Exchange server for user authentication. Needless to say, the code was a mess, but it did it’s job.

Recently Launched Websites

2009-10-30T03:13:24Z

Recently launched a few websites.

Ecsyle.com

My personal website, an art blog. Featuring sketches, drawings, paintings, etc, just stuff I have been working on and playing with. Ideally there will be new work each daily, but that depends on how often I can actually update.

Merchant Department

Redesign of Merchant Department’s website. Their company has seen increased growth and a change in focus, and needed a website that reflected that. To help reach a wider audience and connect with their existing customer base, we are taking…