Author: doug

Massage in Schools – 1.0 release

The founders of the Massage in Schools Programme (MISP) have a goal of integrating various and disparate branch sites under the main international site, yet still allowing flexibility for an individual branch to maintain its own separate and unique web presence. The current design reflects the beginnings of an overall presence that will allow for the display of a branch site within the international site, while keeping the main international site navigation to core information about the programme accessible.

The non-standard navigation directly reflects the founders? incredible ability to question standards that may have been around for generations. The core site content provides the foundation for the international program, and aren?t foundations usually down below everything they are supporting?

The site will evolve as the Massage in Schools Association (MISA) grows into the international community envisioned by the founders.

Technology:

  • PHP – used as the framework in which all content is displayed, and to fetch data from ClassCalendar.net
  • XML / XSLT – data fetched from ClassCalendar.net is transformed into the appropropriate HTML by means of XSLT
  • Dynamically generated HTML pages and forms

www.MassageInSchools.com

CoastlineComics.com – eCommerce & eBay integration

Coastline Comics is a dealer in high quality collectible comics. Already a successful seller on eBay, through both auctions and the Coastline Comics eBay store, a more distinctive Internet presence was desired to present not only current inventory, but information on upcoming events, featured items and news about the company. Rather than duplicate the inventory data entry, the eBay API is being used to regularly update the inventory for CoastlineComics.com. Using this approach, the inventory data is only entered once through the familiar eBay user interface.

One of the shortcomings of the eBay store interface is the inability to purchase more than one item at a time. A shopping cart on CoastlineComics.com solves this problem. Any number of store items may be purchased through the integrated PayPal shopping cart. As a transaction is completed, the PayPal Instant Payment Notification (IPN) system notifies CoastlineComics.com of the items sold, which are then automatically removed from the eBay store inventory via the eBay API.

An easy to use web interface allows new events and company news to be added to the site from any Internet browser.

Technology:

  • Integration with the eBay API
  • PHP – Used to create the dynamically generated web interface, as well update and read the locally cached copy of inventory pulled from the eBay API. PHP is also the language used to access the eBay API.
  • MySQL – Holds all the inventory data
  • XML – All data transfers between CoastlineComics.com and the eBay API are in the form of XML data. In some cases, the XML data received is very large (over 7MB), and a very efficient means of parsing and processing was developed in order to lessen the impact on the server in a production environment.
  • Integration with PayPal shoping cart and payment processing interface
  • Integration with PayPal Instant Payment Notification (IPN) interface
  • Dynamically generated HTML pages and forms

www.CoastlineComics.com

Another band? Sure, why not? Also, the loss of a sax player.

The rumour was confirmed this past week: Dan, who has been holding down the saxophone area as the fourth member of So What, is moving to Minneapolis August 1st. I really enojy playing with Dan, so this is kind of a drag, in a selfish sort of way. Speaking unselfishly, we wish him continued success. Minneapolis is a happening musical town, and Dan is a happening musical guy, so I’m sure he’ll fit right in and hit the ground swinging. He’s originally from Wisconsin, so the transition will be easier than it would for those of us who seem to have dug ourselves in pretty well here in SoCal.

This means last night’s So What gig was a “back to our roots” trio gig. I went though some of our old tunes that were never really adapted to being played as a quartet, and was really looking forward to digging into the old stuff with the guys. However, upon arriving at Mr. Joey’s, we found out we’re sharing the night with Los Reyes de Ritmo (spelling?), which is actually Mr. Joey’s band. Only having time for one extended set, we didn’t really dig into much old stuff. “Some Skunk Funk” as a trio was fairly interesting, though. Damn, Mike likes to play that one fast.

I’d just finished packing up after our set, and turned on my phone to see there was a new message. Turns out it’s Adam (drummer in Sky Bop), saying the classic rock cover band he’s been in for a short while, Shakey Ground, is in need of a lead guitarist. I haven’t been in a “lead guitarist” situation in a long time — maybe never. Thinking about it right now, I think I’ve always been the only guitar player in al the bands of which I’ve been an official member. Adam: “Oh, and by the way, we’re playing without a lead guitarists tonight, so if you want to stop by after the So What gig, feel free.”

So I do. And okay, so maybe I over played a bit, but hey, you try going from playing “Skunk Funk” at a million miles an hour then see if the two chord droning of “Feelin’ Alrright” isn’t like slamming on the brakes after a few laps on the latest Yamaha R1. (Sorry for the motorcycle reference, but the lastest issue of “Rider” is sitting right here on the desk.) Anyway, so I guess some of what I played fit in, as I’ve been invited back for the next gig. Every other week at the Black Sheep Inn. I have a few tunes to (re)learn.

New Jazz Amp

It’s been quite a while since I’ve bought any new gear, so I was easily able to justify the price of a new amp for straight ahead jazz gigs, the Carvin AG100D. Really intended for acousitc guitar, bass, and vocals, the bass section does a nice job with my PRS Hollowbody II. The acousic channel produces the best sound from the PRS piezo system I’ve heard yet, and the vocal channel will be useful for a “blab” mic (I seem to be the one usually doing the blabbing), or as a makeshift sax amplifier when I’m using the full rig.

First gig with it will be this Friday night’s Sky Bop gig.

Xact! Collections – Secure Document Access

Designer: Red Leaf Design, Minneapolis, MN

Project Description:
Xact Collections needed a secure way for their clients to access sensitive documents online. Clients have a unique login that gives them access to their specific documents only. Documents are stored outside the publically accessible web directory, making them inaccessible without a valid login.

An administration portal allows Xact to add, edit and delete users as well as upload new documents with an easy to use web interface. No FTP is necessary, although documents could be uploaded that way if desired.

Technology:

  • PHP – used to generate dynamic pages, validate login, deliver documents in a secure manner, and save uploaded files to the correct location
  • MySQL – holds user account information and document locations
  • Dynamically generated html pages and forms
  • SSL

www.xactcollections.com