What is Design? Cool Youtube!

This Youtube video entitled, "What is design?" is quite thought provoking. As web designers we have to always be mindful of the balance between content and graphics and DESIGN is keeps both aspects in mind. Enjoy.

A New Year Arrives!

Welcome 2009!! Goodbye 2008!! It has been a good year with many learning experiences and lessons. I enjoyed many visits to schools last year, but I need to get around to see more of the school webmasters.
Let's review some of what happened in 2008:

• We had a very large turn-over in school webmasters. There were quite of few new webmasters who needed training to start off the school year. By the way, they are doing a great job!!
• Scores of hours in 2008 were spent in VNC. Sometimes I spend 3-4 hours with VNC to school webmasters in a single day. This made it very convenient for both me and the school webmasters.
• Many schools started using the ASP Web Calendar which dynamically works with a database. Of course, with any free resource, there are vulnerabilities. Some vulnerabilities were discovered early for which Brannon Carter (Bryson Middle) created a fix. Unfortunately, since our databases were out in the open and the passwords are housed in the database, this was hacking opportunity waiting to happen - and it did around Thanksgiving. Fortunately, we've now moved our databases to a nonpublic location on our server which vastly enhances our security.
• Several schools in 2008 converted to ASP so that the great majority of schools are now ASP. I plan to offer some classes on the Power of ASP to help those who need a better understanding. The few non-ASP school websites will hopefully move to ASP in 2009 to take advantage of the ease and convenience of managing your sites.
• Several schools in 2008 implemented a new flash menu system, replacing the DHTML menus which are still widespread in our schools.
• Some schools have taken advantage of data-driven capabilities that many other schools possess, such as a faculty directory, Announcements, News, and Events. This capability enables the webmaster to pass off responsibilities to other people at there school without the need to use FrontPage or FTP.

On a personal note, 2008 brought me a new grandson, (grandchild#5), a motorcycle (lovin' it!!), another child to complete high school, and 26 years married to the same wonderful woman.

Some of the goals I have for 2009 are as follows:

• All school websites converted to ASP - not mandating, just on my "wish list".
• All school websites using the benefits and conveniences of data-driven capabilities (ASP calendar, directories, annoucements, news, and events). Of course you can only do this if you actually use ASP at your site.
• More workshops and training offered as well as a face-to-face meetings.
• More individual school visits.
• Provide more online tutorials.
• Develop a better game of pool so that I can beat John Woggon. Last week I met John for lunch. We played at least 8 or so games and John completely demolished me!! He always asks about you guys and I sense that he misses you all.
• Blog more. This is obviously not yet a habit, but I'd like to incorporate tutorials into my blog.

Thanks to all school webmasters for the time and effort spent in making our school sites "top-notch". I often get comments that our schools sites are much better than other schools sites not only in other districts in SC, but also throughout the US. This is a testimony to all of your hard work over the years. Thanks for all you do.

Happy 2009!