Wisdump

Dumping wisdom on design and the web

Revisiting Old Content

Since I can’t move the old stuff into the new database I am going to republish some of my old articles, which unfortunately means a loss of comments for these entries. However, I do get to offer a fresh perspective on the articles so they will be even better than before.

Please understand that I love and respect the time everyone takes to make a comment on this site and I do not make this decision lightly. Although all the old content is still viewable, it does not fit in with the current template. Not every page will be brought in, just my favorites so not too much stuff will be regurgitated.

Hope you don’t mind.

Originally posted on May 3, 2005 @ 1:29 am

Simpl(e)y Done

Back in November of 2003 I started a little experiment. I created a web design company site along with a blog with the intentions of seeing how easy it would be to acquire new clients from a really simple design and also to see how people treat and look at a company’s blog compared to that of a freelancer’s. With regards to gaining clients it was just a matter of finding the ones that were attracted to simple design and could see the value in it. I wasn’t doing this to fool anyone so every prospect that came along I simply told them that I was too busy and referred them to other designers.

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Originally posted on May 12, 2005 @ 1:51 pm

Better Web Forms

Forms have to be one of the most annoying things that a user has to interact with on a website. When I am creating forms on my websites I try to make them so that the user can get through them as quick as possible. I also like to know that users are putting in the information quickly and accurately, which can save me a lot of hassle in the long run. Here are some tips that I have come up with to hopefully make your user’s experience a bit easier.

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Originally posted on May 2, 2005 @ 3:01 pm

Looking For A Designer(s)

I am looking for a designer to redesign some of the blogs on the 9rules Network. What about Rundle you ask? Well he is already busy working on some 9rules projects along with Business Logs stuff so either I can let him sleep or I can give him more work than one creative mind can handle.

What I am looking for:

  • I have a high standard for design so would expect good quality from the designer as well. CSS-based design should be obvious.
  • Being on the client-side for once I know this sounds ridiculous, but speed is important to me. I don’t expect a design in 2 days, but I also don’t expect a blog design to take 2 months.
  • The first site will be Forever Geek. Most of what you see will continue to be there with some minor additions mostly to the individual entry pages.
  • If you are interested shoot me an email at scrivs{AT}9rules.com with your portfolio (or links to your work) along with how much you would charge for redesigning the site.

Why not just do it yourself? Well I have been doing it myself for the past year, but I am in the management position now and understand how much of an impact top-quality design (along with great content) can have on a site. I am looking to take Forever Geek to a higher level and this is step one of that process. Also I have a ton of other issues that need my attention.

Again if you are interested then send me an email: scrivs{AT}9rules.com.

Thanks.

UPDATE: I have received a number of proposals that I need to go over and cannot except anymore because I would like to respond to everyone in a timely manner. Thanks to everyone who showed interest in helping me.

Originally posted on April 13, 2005 @ 9:57 pm

CSS Compressor

CSS Compressor is an online form that takes your CSS and compresses it down to reduce the filesize. A nifty little utility for those of you whose CSS is starting to get out of control.

Originally posted on April 29, 2005 @ 9:20 am