So it is about 2 pm on March 8th 2010  - I am taking a quick break from coding to write to my blog, which I have neglected for a while.
When the work starts around here, it is hard to break away to do much else. This blog has been a good thing, and I recommend all of our clients install some type of blog software on their sites.

I also think there will soon be an instructional section on the websnare site.
For discussion of COLOR, DESIGN and FLASH DESIGN.
With a few instructional videos that show some of our coolest tricks!

Winter is still here, but it seems like the end is in the near future.  I am ready to take a few days some weekend and get out from behind this desk!!




Mark

Tags: flash

Well the New Year 2010 is approaching quickly. Websnare continues the web development and design endeavor in Boulder, Colorado with a passion. We have recently been approached by many new clients and great projects that excite me. We have a few new Certified Public Accountants that are requesting a web presence which we are looking forward to providing. Also we have a shot at a Boulder County run organization (dealing with Grants & Funding). With the New Year Websnare will be modifying a few of our policies - in brief (with more details to come). Websnare will be charging 2x normal rate on Work Requests received after NOON to be completed the same day. Basically, any work request that needs to be completed the same day will be charged 2x normal rate. This is not done just so I can make more money (if that were the case I would just raise my rates). When "urgent" or "same day" work requests come in, they sidetrack my progress on my current focus and switch gears into the "urgent" workload - this sets me back in my development and is an opportunity loss for Websnare. To rectify this from happening, I need to charge more to accomodate these types of requests. Yes, Websnare is flexible and willing - but the workload and time-intensive nature of the work we are performing requires attention to detail, time-tracking, and master of many hats. To make all of this effort worthwhile and profitable - both monitarily and psychologically, we needed to set some boundaries. I hope that this type of policy will not impair your ability to work with Websnare. I have a feeling that this policy will allow for more creative freedoms, better product and happier clients. I wish all of our clients - new, past, and future the very best New Years, and we look forward to serving you in the new year!!

Tags: New Year | 2010 | web design | boulder coder | boulder colorado | Certified Public Accountants | cpa

END OF WEEK BLOG

I was primarily concerned with Bota of Boulder and Optibike this week.

Bota of Boulder is a new Eco Conscience client who's main focus right now is launching an E-com site to replace their broken website. Bota of Boulder development site can be seen here.

Optibike just hired Websnare to complete a renovation to our previously developed template. We have launched this new fluid template - you can see it here.

OregonMusicBoards - Part of The Music Board Project (here).  Rolling out the local/statewide music boards.

We have also been working on a bunch of catchup work - for the Websnare Infrastructure.

This week we have implemented some great code.

• We have a new Project Management system in use in the Websnare Intranet now.
• We also launched a Remote Desktop Server and View system. This removes tons of Monitors from my desk.  It saves me the cost of running 10 monitors and 5 more keyboards and 5 mice - OR - one nice $500 Video/Keyboard/Mouse switch. This software allows for me to sit at the same Monitor(s), Keyboard and Mouse and run all of my computers from that space. This saves us tons on electricity alone, not to mention physical equipment costs.
• I revised some Flash Code used on Impactptg.com (Impact Printing) - created while I was working with Aeroweb.
• CSS style rules for Optibike - to help make their fonts more consistent site-wide.
• Rolled out a new Site oregeonmusicboard.com for TheMusicBoardProject this site had full community feature-set with customized template and forum.

 

It has been a pretty busy week.  I am going to try to focus on creation of some infrastructural tools to help with biz management over the weekend. 

Tags: boulder | NCAR | CMS | community enabled | feature-set | customized template | forum

I set my sites on a Cave over Labor Day weekend. I proceeded to map the cave and explore its mysteries. This process removed me from my computer and the endless gazing at the LCD panel. To further distract, I have planned another cave related trip this weekend. I will work a short week,  Tuesday ( mostly cave related meetings etc..), Wends. I have nothing but Design, Thurs. I have Development - and finalize the week.

Each week at Websnare offers new and different challenges. Websnare tries to remain structured and adherent to the following protocols.

All tasks are performed in order ( Left to Right)- Unless Interupted or Urgent.  Unable to predict order in which tasks are received. This table reflects No Client Priorites.
Monday-	Calls, Emails, Proposals, Design, Development, Support Calls.
Tuesday-	Calls, Emails, Design, Proposals, Developement & Chart time/work - Finalize Day
Wednesday-	Calls, Emails, Design, Proposals, Developemet & Chart time/work - Finalize Day
Thursday-	Calls, Emails, Design, Proposals, Developement & Chart time/work - Finalize Day
Friday-	Calls, Emails, Design, Proposals, Developement & Chart time/work - Finalize Day - Back-Up
Saturday-	Calls, Emails, Design, Proposals, Developement & Chart time/work - Finalize Day
Sunday-	Catch Up

One very quick note:  I hate support calls, they are incredibly time consuming. I usually leave the conversation feeling upset. I used to train entire call centers for Microsoft, HP, Qwest and Network Solutions. I understand their tactics and metrics. I find it very frustrating to have to navigate their policies and red-tape.  I try to limit support calls to Mondays only.

 

 

Tags:

Websnare is certainly a leading contender in the quest for the number one web development firm in Boulder, Colorado. I know there are many talented and incredibly artistic developers in Boulder County.  Websnare has somehow stayed in the competition and is eternally seeking the new great thing to bring to our clients advantage. We have a small strong client base who are as loyal to us as we are to them. We at Websnare LOVE our Clients, and our Clients make us feel loved too!! Thanks Y'all.

If you have a Web Project and you need peace of mind - contact us. We do not charge for initial consultations and project discussion.

Looking forward to hearing about your ideas-which will always be safe with us.

 

 

 

Tags: boulder county | Boulder Web Development

I just returned from Aspen and surrounding areas from a weekend get-away. 

Was inspired to see such high-end retail outlets and so little internet presence. I was most surprised at the economic impact I saw in the Aspen areas.  Snowmass Village was where we were staying, and travelling nightly into Aspen proper.

We did indulge in some fine dinning and some shopping, and overall were plesantly surprised to find Aspen brimming with potential clientel. Many of the high-end and extrodinary real-estate properties were for sale, with for sale signs everywhere in the surrounding areas. The economy has certainly made an impact on the high-end housing market near Aspen.

I am currently seeking someone to spread the word of Websnare quality and craftmanship around the Aspen area. If you live near Aspen or know people in Aspen that need Web Development, we should certainly talk. I see Aspen as an expanse of technology starved buisnesses and independents that could benfit from our services. Websnare does provide commisions on all sales and would be interested in having a sales representative in the Western Colorado region.  

Tags: Web Developement | Colorado | Aspen

 

Today, I did a bunch of work on the "backend" of the Websnare site.  Many of our visitors never realize the extensive framework and infrastructure that we provide. Websnare.com has been used as a "testing grounds" for many different web projects and most of the development code was tested in the "Websnare-Underlayer".

I tried to sort thru most of the code that was not needed, and push it into a repository.
I tend to try not to delete things - but comment them out; just in case I need to reference them in the future. 

This is a big hint.

Comments are a great way to recycle code or make your documents easier to understand.

Here are some examples of comments:

HTML <pre><!-- this is commented out text --></pre>

CSS <pre> /* what ever you want here */ </pre>
PHP <pre>/* what ever you want here */ </pre>

There are many different ways to comment code, and some languages utilize more than one method.

I typically use comments to make notes to myself in my code ..

HTML  <pre><!-- this is commented out --></pre>

Comments do not Execute - so you can surround code that you dont want to show on the page, but feel like you might need for later like  an example. Comments are viewable durring editing of the code, but will not show when the page renders.

I hope that helps explain comments a bit more. 

 

Tags: boulder colorado web design

Hey Mark,

 

I wish we had you working for Denver Water. We could use your expertise.

Tags:

Today I am searching for a "thumbnail grid video gallery" that I can use on some of my clients sites.

Requirements - must display thumbnails of the video and when thumb is clicked .. play the video in a player.

I have looked at a bunch of products but none that I have found fit my requirements.  If you know of one please post a comment and clue me in..

 

Thanks,

Websnare 

Tags: Boulder Web Design

Websnare has seen times of "Plenty" and also "Lean Times".
We refer to our lean times as "troughs", and our good times as "swells".
We suffered the effects of the "recession" like many others and are finally feeling the tides change direction.
In fact, were swamped and backlogged with work.. a good sign for our recent economy.
But, there is much more to do. Honestly, I miss having the time to put into the Websnare.com website.

Websnare.com although our "Mother-Ship" website, is also kind of an "artistic-pallet" for our experimentation and testing.  Our last slow period was incredibly beneficial to our web presence and we learned a bunch of great new tricks.

 

I will try to feature these new tricks and some other good hints in this blog.

I would also love other to participate - I do not know what you know - so please share!

 
Websnare.com

Tags: Colorado Web Design | boulder colorado web design | Boulder Biz Development | Boulder Flash Development | Boulder Web Development