So last night my wife turned in a little early and I got a head start on working on the Bike Bug store in ZenCart. Not knowing PHP, I did manage to find my way around the template a little bit and make some changes for testing purposes.
Someone else approached me about a Joomla website. From the development side it seemed like a big handle from what I heard, but I will see what happens. I need to continue to expand my knowledge base on many things.
At work, we continue to make our transition to Streamline. More kinks are being worked out along the way.
Goal wise, I look to get this BikeBug store up with the custom template and practicing an order or two. Hopefully will tie that up by this weekend. Plus I got some invoicing to do.
Personally, I hope the remaining issues form my recently removed wisdom tooth go away by Monday so I can get back to normal! Ouch.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Where Did You Go?
Having not posted since July 2010, let me explain myself.
The remainder of July was busy with job interviews and follow-ups. After creating the previous entry, Job Search Organizer, all I really needed as a spreadsheet to keep track of my job interviews and resume submissions.
BASS COMPUTERS
After a few failed interviews, I got a job in August with Bass Computers in Houston Texas as a Web Designer/Developer. Although I accepted the job, the pay was much less than I hoped for but more than nothing ( and about the same as unemployment). My days contracting for Jenobi were inconsistent and almost over. I was told my pay at Bass was a starting pay, and without asking more questions about benefits, I started the job.
My daily responsibilities were to update items on the online store and print flyers for the front lobby store. My ongoing project was to update and improve the quality of the website. I lacked the confidence to grab this opportunity and do it right and my enthusiasm quickly faded. I was in an office with a nice desk and the women in accounting. I got to use a digital camera to take new product shots and I think the detailed descriptions I was adding were much better than before. The downside was I didn't get a good feeling there - and I wasn't clicking with people - it was not an interactive environment - it was very fast paced.
I got a call about a new job and decided to follow up on it. This new offer came with a salary, benefits and better everything. I got hired two weeks later.
Consolidated Graphics
I started at CGX as a Programmer in September. Although the first few months I was scared of my abilities, it has improved since then ten-fold. The lures where immediate. CGX met me halfway on the interviewing process, allowing for after-hour calls and lunch time interviews. Right away in the first week, I had met more people there in my first week than in my month with Bass.
I have been working in postscript and javascript as well as html, xml, and graphic programs such as illustrator. I picke dup pageflex and have gotten to work with high-end clients. Although I thought Bass was doing great stuff with thier recycling programs and got to learn alot about computer hardware, this was more up my alley.
PERSONALLY
In November, after putting my girlfriend through a year and a half of shady employment and stress I proposed to her with more promise than before. We got married on April 30th and now are trying to get into a house.
Thank God for change.
The remainder of July was busy with job interviews and follow-ups. After creating the previous entry, Job Search Organizer, all I really needed as a spreadsheet to keep track of my job interviews and resume submissions.
BASS COMPUTERS
After a few failed interviews, I got a job in August with Bass Computers in Houston Texas as a Web Designer/Developer. Although I accepted the job, the pay was much less than I hoped for but more than nothing ( and about the same as unemployment). My days contracting for Jenobi were inconsistent and almost over. I was told my pay at Bass was a starting pay, and without asking more questions about benefits, I started the job.
My daily responsibilities were to update items on the online store and print flyers for the front lobby store. My ongoing project was to update and improve the quality of the website. I lacked the confidence to grab this opportunity and do it right and my enthusiasm quickly faded. I was in an office with a nice desk and the women in accounting. I got to use a digital camera to take new product shots and I think the detailed descriptions I was adding were much better than before. The downside was I didn't get a good feeling there - and I wasn't clicking with people - it was not an interactive environment - it was very fast paced.
I got a call about a new job and decided to follow up on it. This new offer came with a salary, benefits and better everything. I got hired two weeks later.
Consolidated Graphics
I started at CGX as a Programmer in September. Although the first few months I was scared of my abilities, it has improved since then ten-fold. The lures where immediate. CGX met me halfway on the interviewing process, allowing for after-hour calls and lunch time interviews. Right away in the first week, I had met more people there in my first week than in my month with Bass.
I have been working in postscript and javascript as well as html, xml, and graphic programs such as illustrator. I picke dup pageflex and have gotten to work with high-end clients. Although I thought Bass was doing great stuff with thier recycling programs and got to learn alot about computer hardware, this was more up my alley.
PERSONALLY
In November, after putting my girlfriend through a year and a half of shady employment and stress I proposed to her with more promise than before. We got married on April 30th and now are trying to get into a house.
Thank God for change.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Job Search Organizer
Applying for jobs this year and keeping up with everything else, I opened a spreadsheet to keep track of my jobs. As I started creating the spreadsheet, I figured I could create it in Excel, and maybe create a section on my development server to organize my jobs through the web.
And the question that always comes up when I come across these tools of procrastination is that someone else has already done it. Question is where do I find it?
I figured creating a database where I could enter the job details, the date submitted, the status of my position search (apply for, submitted, followed up, scheduled interview), and other details. I would create a notes field where I could copy and paste info into and a page that would print out my results. I would a field that would alert me by email when interviews are scheduled or reminds me to follow-up on positions.
Agents
I have one agent/head-hunter or whatever you call it working with me through one company. I have job profiles through dozens of site and several job search queries bookmarked on Firefox that I run through daily. It all seems so overwhelming. I want one place, one location to do it all.
Agent Software? Head-hunter software? Do I even need it?
And the question that always comes up when I come across these tools of procrastination is that someone else has already done it. Question is where do I find it?
I figured creating a database where I could enter the job details, the date submitted, the status of my position search (apply for, submitted, followed up, scheduled interview), and other details. I would create a notes field where I could copy and paste info into and a page that would print out my results. I would a field that would alert me by email when interviews are scheduled or reminds me to follow-up on positions.
Agents
I have one agent/head-hunter or whatever you call it working with me through one company. I have job profiles through dozens of site and several job search queries bookmarked on Firefox that I run through daily. It all seems so overwhelming. I want one place, one location to do it all.
Agent Software? Head-hunter software? Do I even need it?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Our History (Moved from our website)
Recently, I decided to update my website again. Although I was comfortable posting a brief history of my experience on the About Us page of my website, I have decided to replace that history with more explanation of the services I could provide as a company. But never fear, (if you did fear I am sorry and concerned), I have moved that history to here.
Our History
From the stage to television, from logical to creative, the experience that comes from us is more diverse than your average designer. My name is Brad A. Haines and I am the person behind BH Creative Design. Growing up, I felt I was going to do something creative. Art, band, photojournalism and computer science were among my favorite classes. Entering college, I found myself wanting to study interests such as architecture and motion graphics. I took a detour through theatre where I explored my creativity in scene design and directing. Enjoying the directing aspect of setting up a stage for something to happen for the audience, I also explored video editing. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Directing from Texas State University.
I went on to explore my interest in editing, seeking out television stations and companies looking for video editors. I took up video editing as a hobby, but found I could expand my technical knowledge about video editing and motion graphics. I earned an Associates in Multimedia from ITT Technical Institute, where as a student, I studied everything from HTML and Visual Basic to 3D modeling, animation, flash and graphic design.
I began building my portfolio with a few video projects. I built my first portfolio website and then my first client website. I left my position in television broadcasting and began working as a web and multimedia developer. Over the next few years I built numerous interactive presentations and maintained dozens of websites for our company's clients.
Our History
From the stage to television, from logical to creative, the experience that comes from us is more diverse than your average designer. My name is Brad A. Haines and I am the person behind BH Creative Design. Growing up, I felt I was going to do something creative. Art, band, photojournalism and computer science were among my favorite classes. Entering college, I found myself wanting to study interests such as architecture and motion graphics. I took a detour through theatre where I explored my creativity in scene design and directing. Enjoying the directing aspect of setting up a stage for something to happen for the audience, I also explored video editing. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Directing from Texas State University.
I went on to explore my interest in editing, seeking out television stations and companies looking for video editors. I took up video editing as a hobby, but found I could expand my technical knowledge about video editing and motion graphics. I earned an Associates in Multimedia from ITT Technical Institute, where as a student, I studied everything from HTML and Visual Basic to 3D modeling, animation, flash and graphic design.
I began building my portfolio with a few video projects. I built my first portfolio website and then my first client website. I left my position in television broadcasting and began working as a web and multimedia developer. Over the next few years I built numerous interactive presentations and maintained dozens of websites for our company's clients.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Busy week for a vacation
I found myself planning business trips and tasks during my upcoming vacation which was planned months ago. I feel grateful to have business tasks to plan and realize it'll help me divert from the mindless eating, smoking and slouching these vacations usually permit.
Didn't have enough time today to get everything done and got a busy week ahead. Went through the first client review on the development phase on my first CSS site. Contracting out my friend Jay for additional CSS work even though I realize I have broken ground on my learning and application of CSS. Realize I am behind from other developers and designers but it feels really good to have a tableless website now - and one I will be proud to display.
Realize I have 6 clients I have contacted in the last few days. Every once in a while I write this not to boast but to realize I am already living my dream and not far off or fooling myself on this. I am so thankful for some of my clients' positive feedback and the confidence and motivation I get from that feedback.
Didn't have enough time today to get everything done and got a busy week ahead. Went through the first client review on the development phase on my first CSS site. Contracting out my friend Jay for additional CSS work even though I realize I have broken ground on my learning and application of CSS. Realize I am behind from other developers and designers but it feels really good to have a tableless website now - and one I will be proud to display.
Realize I have 6 clients I have contacted in the last few days. Every once in a while I write this not to boast but to realize I am already living my dream and not far off or fooling myself on this. I am so thankful for some of my clients' positive feedback and the confidence and motivation I get from that feedback.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Social Media Seminar for Business
Tomorrow I will be attending a Social Media Seminar for Business sponsored by Katy Check-A-Pro with as a guest of one of my clients. They will cover social media, getting lost in the buzz, where to start, etc. I am very excited about this as I am participating in this search right now with my own business, and doing it for myself so I can do it for my clients later on.
I started this blog last year under a different name, and finally I have began to integrate social media for business into my web design business. My Facebook page receives from 0 to 10 hits a week. It seems like I put more effort into it than desired, but I love doing it. With 150+ friends, I would hope to catch a primary or secondary reference or visit. I haven"t seen many hits from Facebook yet. Yesterday I added one of my friends company page as a friend. I was very surprised to see his page and will check it out tonight or this week.
A few weeks ago, I received an email that looked like a job op, but instead was possibly a spam. The idea seemed very interesting though and this morning, broken links left me with a broken spirit for this email. Here is the link that works: http://atticusgraphics.info/. The product being pushed was called FanPagePop. Maybe it had overwhelming traffic and is having issues, or maybe it was all a hoax. A very well thought out idea but a hoax. It advertised a customized Facebook page in the same manner everyone pushed out customized MySpace pages and layouts years ago.
Is that right? Years ago? MySpace? Will Facebook be the same. It will if they charge for it and very quickly. If Myspace guy, Tom, wants his people back, he should be ready to welcome back his people - if they will come back. How many people go back and get the old dog from the pound when the puppy got hit by a truck? That old mut is still as cute as ever. My sisters dog is about 8 years old. Last year, my sister got a kitten, and that dog has more life now than we have ever seen. Could these social media networks work together to improve each other. It seems like they started. Myspace changed it's layouts. Facebook integrated music apps. But it seems both just went stagnet after that. Twitter came up and stole their thunder and like an old juggling act, they seemed to have went to the dressing room and cried.
Last week, out of curiousity, I finally looked at a Twitter page. I let myself get overwhelmed ad shelved it for the time being - knowing it may benefit me rather than hurt me.
So much more to discuss, but I gotta go to work.
I will report on my experience as soon as I can. I am in the process of getting ready to move again. I have much excitement about my new office space and will be going with my woman to pick out a desk in these next two weeks.
I started this blog last year under a different name, and finally I have began to integrate social media for business into my web design business. My Facebook page receives from 0 to 10 hits a week. It seems like I put more effort into it than desired, but I love doing it. With 150+ friends, I would hope to catch a primary or secondary reference or visit. I haven"t seen many hits from Facebook yet. Yesterday I added one of my friends company page as a friend. I was very surprised to see his page and will check it out tonight or this week.
A few weeks ago, I received an email that looked like a job op, but instead was possibly a spam. The idea seemed very interesting though and this morning, broken links left me with a broken spirit for this email. Here is the link that works: http://atticusgraphics.info/. The product being pushed was called FanPagePop. Maybe it had overwhelming traffic and is having issues, or maybe it was all a hoax. A very well thought out idea but a hoax. It advertised a customized Facebook page in the same manner everyone pushed out customized MySpace pages and layouts years ago.
Is that right? Years ago? MySpace? Will Facebook be the same. It will if they charge for it and very quickly. If Myspace guy, Tom, wants his people back, he should be ready to welcome back his people - if they will come back. How many people go back and get the old dog from the pound when the puppy got hit by a truck? That old mut is still as cute as ever. My sisters dog is about 8 years old. Last year, my sister got a kitten, and that dog has more life now than we have ever seen. Could these social media networks work together to improve each other. It seems like they started. Myspace changed it's layouts. Facebook integrated music apps. But it seems both just went stagnet after that. Twitter came up and stole their thunder and like an old juggling act, they seemed to have went to the dressing room and cried.
Last week, out of curiousity, I finally looked at a Twitter page. I let myself get overwhelmed ad shelved it for the time being - knowing it may benefit me rather than hurt me.
So much more to discuss, but I gotta go to work.
I will report on my experience as soon as I can. I am in the process of getting ready to move again. I have much excitement about my new office space and will be going with my woman to pick out a desk in these next two weeks.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Waiting for gold
Yesterday morning I spent my pre-work time signing up with webdesignfinders.net. I opted not to pay $190 for a platinum listing and went for gold. The gold listing requires you to cross link on page your home page back to the website.
I immediately woke up this morning and checked the analytics on my website to see if I had any new traffic. I am on a mission to spread out my traffic sources. Currently ( am very heavy on direct traffic and very sparse on search engine and referral traffic. My two clients have signed up with local agencies for their industries - their traffic on their websites have been even spread.
I did come up as the last listing on the first page for houston, tx, which I was plased with. Here are the links for the search results and the link, I think, to my info page:
http://webdesignfinders.net/texas/houston-web-designers.html
http://webdesignfinders.net/details/7765.html
I immediately woke up this morning and checked the analytics on my website to see if I had any new traffic. I am on a mission to spread out my traffic sources. Currently ( am very heavy on direct traffic and very sparse on search engine and referral traffic. My two clients have signed up with local agencies for their industries - their traffic on their websites have been even spread.
I did come up as the last listing on the first page for houston, tx, which I was plased with. Here are the links for the search results and the link, I think, to my info page:
http://webdesignfinders.net/texas/houston-web-designers.html
http://webdesignfinders.net/details/7765.html
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