Topspin (WordPress CMS)

url: http://www.topspinmedia.com/

Topspin

SDAC Inc. provided:

  • jQuery programming
  • XHTML/CSS programming/cleanup
  • WordPress theme creation
  • Custom PHP programming

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, WordPress, PHP

front end:

I had created a custom WordPress theme for this client a few years ago and this time. This time around they decided to take it a step further and wanted a complete CMS. I used the basic design from the previous theme and added in a number of custom content areas that dynamically pulled in content, and used some slick AJAX to manipulate the layout.

back end:

There are a number of custom plugins used for this site to control content, buttons, top content (image/text/video, etc), page vs. sub page content, active tabs, and the sidebar/bottom vignettes on each page. These custom plugins allowed the client to easily add other content to the pages and sub pages all by filling in some pre-defined fields on the edit/write page view.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

If anyone wants to see a WordPress site that does not necessarily look like a blog (a common request) – take a look at this one.

HipHopWired (WordPress CMS Theme/Ning Integration)

url: http://www.hiphopwired.com/

HipHopWired

SDAC Inc. provided:

  • jQuery programming
  • XHTML/CSS programming/cleanup
  • WordPress theme creation
  • Custom PHP programming
  • Ning Integration

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, WordPress, PHP, Ning

front end:

The client had worked with an outside designer to create all the page views (graphics and XHTML/CSS). The only front end work I did for this project was to put together a basic Ning theme for the Ning forums as well as to put together the code for the featured stories.

back end:

This site has a number of custom plugins, widgets, admin panels, and customized loops. I wanted to focus on giving the client the ability to change and manipulate as much content as possible without touching any of the WordPress theme files so I ended up building a number of admin panels to control the featured stories, ads, media, etc. The templates for this site are some of the most complicated I have ever created but make the content management very easy for the site admins.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

I had worked with this client in the past and it is great to see them add another exciting site to their portfolio.

Carnival Cruise Lines Press Room Blog (VIP WordPress Theme)

url:http://carnivalpressroom.wordpress.com/

Carnival

SDAC Inc. provided:

  • XHTML/CSS programming/cleanup
  • WordPress theme customization/adjustments
  • Custom PHP programming

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, WordPress, PHP, WordPress VIP Hosting

front end:

I had done some work with this client previously and the theme needed for this site was very similar to the theme for the other site but with some slight modifications.

back end:

For the other Carnival theme, I used a third party theme to start with (Carnival provided). Since there were a lot of customizations on the backend needed, I ended up rebuilding the theme, stripping a lot of unused functions out, adding a lot more admin panels for easy content manipulation, and focusing on giving the client full control of their content. There are several custom functions in place with this site (featured box (can either be video, slideshow, or single image), sidebar widgets, custom admin panels to control almost all images, logos, and text.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

It is almost always easier and more efficient to work with something that you built than to try and troubleshoot as long as you are committed to simplicity and documentation – and I will be happy to continually develop this theme.

Carnival Cruise Lines News Blog (VIP WordPress Theme)

url:http://carnival-news.com/

Carnival

SDAC Inc. provided:

  • XHTML/CSS programming/cleanup
  • WordPress theme customization/adjustments
  • Custom PHP programming

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, WordPress, PHP, WordPress VIP Hosting

front end:

I was given an existing theme with mockups for any changes to the theme. I then spent time optimizing, cleaning up existing code, and modifying (new nav, colors, logos, featured slideshow customizations, widget customization/creation, etc) the theme for Carnival Cruise Lines before then transferring it to WordPress VIP hosting.

back end:

I created a custom WordPress RSS widget and contact widget to fit their needs as well as cleaned up the existing code so everything would work properly. Since this site is based on an existing theme – there was not a lot functionally that was needed.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

It is always a pleasure helping clients with their WordPress projects – especially when using VIP hosting.

AirObama (WordPress CMS)

url:http://airobama.org/

Carnival

SDAC Inc. provided:

  • XHTML/CSS programming/cleanup
  • WordPress theme customization/adjustments
  • Custom PHP programming
  • Custom AJAX functionality

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, WordPress, PHP, jQuery

front end:

I was given an existing theme to work with to make minor changes to (colors, background color, navigation button changes). The site owner took care of the rest.

back end:

I created a number of custom functions to handle content areas, featured stories carousel, permalink changes, custom excerpts, and custom author functionality. All in all – I made a number of customizations so that the site owner could control and manipulate his content exactly how he wanted.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

I usually do a lot of front end changes/designs for WordPress sites but it was nice to also work almost soley on the functionality of a site as well. This site (as of March 2009) is just in it’s early days and I expect to see great things from it in the next coming months.