Charities and the WWW

Recently I have done a lot of research into all the new methods charities now use to engage with potential donors. With the demise of the effectiveness of the big “donate now” button, charities have had to become much more creative about how they fundraise online.

...more » 12 August 2008 | No comments yet

The complicated world of Zen Cart

In true geek fashion I have decided the best way to launch my new jewellery business is online. I've done my research and have chosen Zen Cart as the basis for my online shop. Unfortunately, unlike CMS Made Simple, working with Zen Cart isn't easy. In order to get the package to do what you want you need to do a combination of changes via the admin system and hard coded changes direct into the files. This just seems a bad idea. The admin system is also extremely complex. I've been working with it for months now and I still haven't got my head around it. I'm hoping once I do I can build a stable white label version that will enable me to extend my freelance capabilities into ecommerce sites. 29 May 2008 | No comments yet

Career changes

Well, I've finally left the evil corporate world behind and am now working for a charidee. I am working part time as a project fundraiser and it feels good. I like the challenge of learning a whole new career after so long in the IT industry. Of course I am keeping a toe in the web design waters and am currently redesigning the website for another charity I am volunteering for - Village Service Trust. It would be hard not to improve the current site that they have so I'm feeling quite confident my new site, when it finally launches, will make them happy! 20 April 2008

Freelancer for hire!

Well, here I am, back on the market after a mindblowing career break spent in India and New Zealand. I'm looking forward to being back in little old Brighton early February, even if the weather is apparently terrible! I'll just have to bring some of my favourite curry recipes with me :) 03 January 2008 | 2 comments

Latest read

Despite being on a break I can't help myself and have been geeking. I'm currently reading Killer Web Content by Gerry McGovern and, to be honest, finding it fantastic. It is such a simple, concise explanation of how to create a truly successful website and despite the words "usability" and "information architecture" never actually appearing in the book, anyone interested in those subjects should grab a copy. McGovern's message is clear: "Focus on your readers, their tasks, and their carewords, and you will ... reap rich rewards." McGovern also talks of the shift that is happening in website creation away from the mechanics of the web towards the content. This can only be a good thing for everyone who uses the web.

20 December 2007 | No comments yet

Microsoft's Live Search

Finally, maps that show Brighton in full detail! Check out Brighton Pier! 05 April 2007 | No comments yet

HTML Email Testing

Do you need to create html emails? Then this could be just what you're looking for. Sitevista started out as a BrowserCam competitor, but now they also offer screenshot based email testing! Quickly test your html emails and see exactly how they appear in a wide range of email clients and webmail systems. ...more » 28 March 2007 | No comments yet

Available for freelance work

Well, I've finally done it. I have quit my job at Madgex and am now on the freelance market. Please get in touch if you need any css, html or Information Architecture work done. I can only do short contracts/small jobs, as I am planning on going back to New Zealand after the summer. 20 March 2007 | 2 comments

Site upgrade

I just upgraded this site to the latest version of Pivot. Bear with me while I fix a few issues with the site. I have personalised the software a little so I need to copy those changes across. 18 March 2007 | No comments yet

How to get that web design job

I have been part of the recruitment process where I work for a while now and I am often asked by those who are unsuccessful to give them some tips. Read on for invaluable insider knowledge! ...more » 13 March 2007 | No comments yet