Sandbox Development and Consulting Inc.

url: http://www.nearshoreamericas.com/

SDAC Inc. provided:

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

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, WordPress, PHP, jQuery

front end:

The client provided me with an existing theme and a number of customizations. The home page logic is completely custom with a jQuery carousel that highlights specific information.

back end:

The main goal with this site was to make it as easy for the client to add and manage content as possible. The scroller has a custom admin where the client can easily add in new posts without having to touch any of the template code. The sidebar and footer content are completely controlled by widgets also making it easy to change content quickly and easily.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

I have been getting a number of requests to use existing themes and build upon them – and this is a good example of that.

url: http://www.guidewiregroup.com/

SDAC Inc. provided:

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

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, WordPress, PHP, jQuery

front end:

The client provided me with a Photoshop PSD of how the site should look and I took it from there, created all the templates, added in a jQuery Cycle piece on the home page, jappler Menus for the drop downs, and brought everything together.

back end:

The main goal with this site was to make it as easy for the client to add and manage content as possible. All the content areas, menus, etc are all managed within WordPress and makes for a great, clean, backend.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

I provide ongoing development for this client and it was great to get their content into WordPress.

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

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.

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

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.

url: http://www.marrybopdump.com

SDAC Inc. provided:

• XHTML/CSS programming
• Custom AJAX functionality
• PHP programming
• Custom PHP framework

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, jQuery

front end:

Since this was a startup web site started by me and another colleague – I had complete control over everything with this project. I started by creating the logo and header and then the rest of the site design fell into place. For the front end – I wanted something bold, bright, and stylish. I needed something that had definite ad spots, a focus on the main rating system, and something that would be quick and easy for anyone to enjoy.

back end:

I used a custom PHP framework which allowed us to have a templating system, clean URLs, the ability to easily store and retrieve data without the hassle of managing hundreds of columns, as well as a lot of jQuery functionality to reduce page refreshes and to increase functionality. Our focus was on simplicity and reusability. There are four main components of this project: user management, photo upload/display, rating, and administration. Each component is completely customizable and uses jQuery whenever possible to make the user experience as easy and straightforward as possible.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

Having to build something like this from scratch – logo, layout, CSS/HTML, PHP/MySQL functionality was both fun and exciting and I look forward to adding more functionality to this site in the near future. Stay tuned!

I have updated over 25 sites so far and for the most part – everything has gone smoothly. There were a handful of sites though that had issues with a few plugins (including this site) due to one common issue: jQuery. If you are seeing any strange behavior – post upgrade, the first thing you will want to do is to make sure all your plugins are up to date. After that – if you are still having problems – check to see if any of your plugins rely on jQuery. If they do – next check the code (either look at the js files in the plugins, or look at your site’s source code to see if it is loading an old version of jQuery). There is a good chance they are using an older version, or are relying on something that no longer works with the latest release of jQuery (1.3.2 as of today).

Some plugin developers are aware of the issues but have not released an updated plugin. Because you are most likely not alone with your issues – check out their support forums, or post comments to see if someone came up with a quick fix so you can be back in business.

While most WordPress updates can be performed quickly and easily by almost any user – there are times when you run into unexpected problems that can cost you dearly. When this happens – don’t hesitate to call us. We have been working through WordPress updates for years and can help out!

url:http://www.robinsminifurniture.com/

SDAC Inc. provided:

• XHTML/CSS programming
• Custom web design
• Custom WordPress functionality
• Custom AJAX functionality

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, PHP, WordPress, jQuery

front end:

The client wanted a custom design to show off the work she creates by hand. The design uses colors that do not take away from the items the client is presenting on her web site. The layout of the site is based on an upcoming theme I plan to release.

back end:

The client wanted to be able to change and manipulate just about everything on the site without having to change anything in the templates. I added some custom admin interfaces to control the different content areas, used WordPress functions to produce the menus, sidebar, and everything on the home page is dynamic. In order to “feature” he best items, I created a slideshow using jQuery and a custom WordPress query that shows five of her featured items. I also made it very easy to use thumbnails for each post so they would show up on the home page without any extra work.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

This project really made me think about making custom themes easily editable by someone just using the admin. Stay tuned for a release of something similar in the future.

url: http://www.foursquaredev.net

SDAC Inc. provided:

• Server Purchase/Setup/Configuration
• XHTML/CSS programming
• Custom PHP Form, Admin, and Scoring Admin
• Multi-Language Form (Localization)

technologies used:

XHTML, CSS, PHP, HTML_QuickForm, jQuery”, Smarty”

front end:

The client wanted a user interface that was easy to use and light weight since the users were mostly from foreign countries where internet connections were often hours away. I used minimal images, CSS, and javascript to ensure the application process (30 pages of text, radio button, and select fields, and long essays) would go as smoothly and quickly as possible why still providing feedback to the user if they missed a field or provided inappropriate data. The admin also had to be easy to use, as the Foursquare staff needed to easily access the data after the applications were submitted or if the submitter had any questions.

back end:

This form needed to be presented in English and Spanish so all text (labels, error messages, confirmation email, etc) was stored in both languages and then presented appropriately with custom logic. We used HTML_QuickForm and Smarty to build the form quickly and effectively and then used jQuery to handle custom validation rules given to us by the Foundation.

lessons learned/random thoughts:

This was by far the longest and most complex form I have ever worked on or seen. Adding in multiple languages this form was also very time consuming but a great experience. A special thanks to our talented developers on helping make this a success.