Browse: Home / Blog

Install MT on the hosting service of your choice

By Merv on 01 12, 10

We have wide experience installing Movable Type on a variety of hosting services including:

icdSOFT
GoDaddy
PAIR
Mid-Phase

We have installed most all versions of MT from V2.6 through the current V4.32. Options include:

Standard MT
Professional Pack
Community Pack

Need More?

Community Blog? YES
Forum? YES
Motion? YES
Hybrid Theme? YES
Notifier? YES
Major Plugins? YES
Google Map Integration? YES
Google Calendar Integration? YES
SimplePie Integration? YES
Lightbox2? YES
If we haven't done it, we can do it. Our broad experience brings you best practices. Contact us for a quote for your install.

Posted in MT Installation | Tagged , , , , ,

Software selection and integration

By Merv on 01 02, 10

Software selection and integration becomes a critical step in the development of Websites. Our approach depends on user requirements which may range from very simple to complex. We always attempt to satisfy requirements using free, open source solutions to keep development costs as low as possible.

We use and recommend an underlying Content Management System (CMS) as apposed to manual development of Web pages allowing for rapid development, reduced cost and allowing users to ultimately manage Website content. Our development approach is based on the Movable Type platform:

Continue reading “Software selection and integration”

Posted in Services, Software Integration | Tagged , ,

Website development approach

By Merv on 01 01, 10

Our Website development approach follow these basic philosophies:

Deploy an administrative platform that supports

1. a content management system (CMS) allowing end user content maintenance
2. a web browser "style sheet" system for flexible design
3. Web 2.0 capabilities for possible visitor interaction
4. capability to easily integrate third party software
5. adherence to Web Standards
6. cross browser compatibility (i.e. Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8 and Firefox)

Choose a Web Hosting company that

1. supports industry standard software
2. is responsive for maximum user/visitor positive experience
3. has a record of 99.9% plus up time
4. is cost effective

Maximize search engine optimization (SEO) by

1. creating web pages which are search engine friendly
2. deploying key search terms in page titles and content
3. submitting "site maps" to search engines for easy indexing

Site development using a live 10 step "Cascading" method:

1. choose a color palette consistent with organization branding
2. design a navigation scheme
3. design/refine page layouts
4. create shell pages
5. select appropriate graphics to be used
6. integrate third party software (i.e. Calendar)
7. add/edit page content
8. engage user in every step
9. iterate over steps 2 through 9 to refine presentation
10. announce public launch

Use free, open source software and/or services whenever possible to reduce development/maintenance cost

Posted in Approach, Services | Tagged , ,

Best in class email marketing

By Merv on 01 01, 10

Deliver your message to the right people with opt-in email marketing. We deliver best in class, proven techniques to get you noticed whether it is for personal use, organizations such as non-profits/associations or business. You will be surprised at how affordable it is.

We do everything for you:
- Already have a subscriber/customer list? We load it for you.
- Build a subscriber list from scratch
- Design the look and feel of the email
- Personalize it to specific subscribers
- Always include an unsubscribe link that takes effect immediately
- Test it for proper appearance in all the major email clients
- Schedule delivery
- Give you access to all the stats so you can see your message effectiveness
- Provide a Sign Up form for your Website

Do it yourself:
- email Newsletters
- Website sign up forms
- Follow up autoresponders
- Email analytics
- Top-notch email deliverability
- Unlimited campaigns at a VERY low monthly cost
- Vast supply of ready to use templates
- Superior customer support
- Check out one of our partners: AWeber Communications

Just need help with a custom design?
- We design your templates using email client compatible methods
- You add your own content
- Schedule you own deliveries
- You take advantage of AWeber affordable rates

Either way, you will be on the forefront of electronic marketing. Need help? Contact us for a complimentary consultation and pricing.

Important:  email marketing SPAM is never tolerated and we will not support marketing with purchased email lists. Your list must be an existing membership list already opted-in to receive communication or a list derived from an opt-in process. We only support permission based email marketing. No exceptions. Period.


Posted in Email Marketing, Services | Tagged ,

Enabling PHP on your server

By Merv on 12 31, 09

Hosting providers have different requirements to enable PHP on the servers you use. Our experience is:

GoDaddy: Requires all Web pages containg PHP code have the .php file type.

icdSoft: Enable PHP by creating an .htaccess file in the root directory and adding the following code:
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php5 .php .html .htm
We can continue using .html as the file type and when PHP is embedded using
<?php
... my php code ...
?>
the server interprets it appropriately.

If in doubt, save yourself some time. Look for enabling PHP in the server support help pages or contact your hosting provider support staff.

Posted in MT Tips, Technology | Tagged , ,

Adding optional page layouts to MT 4+ themes

By Merv on 12 29, 09

There are instances when it is desired to have page layout options in the MT 4+ themes besides wtt, twt, tw, wt, mw and wm  (w=wide, t=thin, m=medium). A case in point: on our personal Blog Providence (using the MT Professional Black Theme) we wanted a full Page width with no sidebars to display a Google Calendar and Google Map the entire width. Here's how we got it:

Continue reading “Adding optional page layouts to MT 4+ themes”

Posted in MT Tips, Technology | Tagged ,

** Test title resulting in a URL with a leading dash

By Merv on 12 27, 09

We have detected a condition causing server 500 errors (not a good thing) when the entry title contains non-alpha/numeric leading characters.

The Entry Title is used to create an entry URL with non-alpha/numeric and spaces replaced with dashes. Example:

This is an entry title generates a URL this-is-an-entry-title.html

When a title is entered as:

** This is an entry title ** MT generates -this-is-an-entry-title.html

The leading dash in the URL causes the error. It has been reported to MT support.

Posted in Technology, Testing | Tagged , ,

DAX Safety & Staffing, LLC ~ Kansas City, MO

By Merv on 12 21, 09

dax-800.jpgA site quickly developed for a heavy construction safety and staffing consultant in Kansas City, MO. Features include a slide show with fading transistions using jQuery and Javascript DHTML active menus by Milonic.

The site was up and running in less than 4 days including all the graphic design, MT template modifications and CSS customization. A real treat to get a striking site in production so quickly. Better yet, a happy client!

Visit DAX at www.daxsafety.com

Posted in Portfolio | Tagged , , , ,

What's style got to do with it?

By Merv on 12 12, 09

help.pngPrior to all the Social Networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, Blogs were the most explosive phenomena on the planet! Blogs were the original innovation for people to express themselves and invite participation by others. Politics, personals, diaries, merchants, products, real estate services (yes!) and much more. Blogs are probably more relevant today than ever before. Blogs are free expression. Blogs have personality. Blogs make statements. Blogs entertain. Blogs and social media are symbiotic. Blogs have style!

In search of the ultimate blog style...

Check out these samples: Style can be subjectively measured in many ways; from the first visual impression to the depth of content. I didn't care for IMUS at first but after staying tuned for more than a minute, he grew on me. Those mentioned above are our Favorites for reasons of style; albeit visual and/or cerebral.

I prefer the more subtle, organized, clean style and clear organized thought. I am also visual. Give me pictures and diagrams.
 
Our style is evolving. Ultimately it may never be static. I think that is a good thing. We would gladly entertain your comments, suggestions and/or criticisms.

Posted in News | Tagged

Is Google changing their search pages?

By Merv on 12 01, 09

I found a link to this article this morning on the TypePad site:

Google's new look? The search giant is testing a revamped results page
...
The good news, should the new look utterly disgust you, is that so far Google hasn't even mentioned the new look (and had not responded to our inquires when this story was published) let alone taken any steps toward making it official. Given Google's track record of beta testing, we suspect the redesign will be thoroughly and publicly tested before it goes live, if in fact it ever does.

Find the article and picture of new format on webmonkey monkey_bites.

Posted in News | Tagged , ,

Follow BIG

rss icon rss comment icon facebook icon linkedin icon twitter icon feedburner icon

association basenames beta test blog platform Blogsite brokerage bug built on MT Business content cron css Database design development open source Plugin server software Website

Advertisement

get in MOTION

Featured Technology

Requires Flash Player