2010.03.29 21:59:10

Susan Jackman

Although the design looks the same my personal portfolio site has gone through a major overhaul. The old site had what was "at the time" a sharp cutting edge CSS gallery, but it did not prove to have good scalability.  As my portfolio grew the process of adding new work to the site became something I dreaded to do.  It took a while to rebuild such a large site, but that is exactly what I did.  Only this time I used a content management system (CMS) called Joomla.  I have used it for many clients to allow them an easy way to take care of their own sites and realized that I could benefit from this with my own site.  The nice thing about rebuilding your portfolio is that it gives you a chance to catch up with all the technology you've learned. The image gallery needed to be more robust and needed to "look" simpler, even though it is actually quite complex.   I structured the galleries a little differently and although it looks clean and simple, in reality I have three times more work displayed then before.

Joomla | Content Management | Web Development | Planning | Susan Jackman

2009.12.01 15:24:56

Susan Jackman

There are many cons to outsourcing work to India, and similar countries, as I'm sure my readers are well aware but I thought I'd take a moment to share with you my experience.  I don't like to blog about negative experiences but each and everyday I am bombarded by emails from companies located in India asking me to outsource work to them and it's time to take a public stance on this issue. The following is why I will never willingly use an over-seas outsourcing company if I have a choice.

This is a very touchy subject and while I may potentially scare away some of my readers or clients with this topic, I’m okay with that because I am standing up for what I believe in and I only wish to further foster relationships built on mutual understanding and shared values.

My last post entitled the biggest challenges a virtual team must face is a good place to start when discussing the negative impacts of outsourcing.  I will start with that and then share my own personal experience.  It is important for you to realize that my opinion on this topic is not just based on research but actual experiences as well.

What we are about | Susan Jackman | Improving Our Service | Case Study | Methodology | Web Development | Collaboration | Web-based Communication | Buyer beware | Outsourcing | Controversy

2009.11.19 17:44:14

Susan Jackman

O-Ten-Talla Website

Although it hasn't made it into the showcase of our work yet, we have recently launched a new project for the Girl Scout Service Unit on Signal Mountain, Tennessee.

As a Girl Scout leader I volunteered to become the Website Coordinator.  This website was created to benifit the O-Ten-Talla is a girl scout service unit of The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians.  Because I was both the developer and the client I was able to create the site very quickly because I knew what I wanted to do with it.  This will be one of those always evolving projects.

Susan Jackman | Web Design | Content Management | Multimedia | Web Development | Projects

2009.08.24 16:26:52

Susan Jackman

Our most recent project has just officially launched in Japan first and then globally. The website is a CMS with custom design done by Susan Jackman and an additional application created by a third party company.  OKOBAN.com is a free online global lost and found system developed by TRAVEL SENTRY. By registering the OKOBAN identification code online, owners can be automatically notified when individuals and lost and found offices find their lost items. The project was managed with team members in several states, Switzerland, India and Japan and features Flash animation done by Angela Jackman.

Content Management | Projects | Susan Jackman | Web Development | Web Design | Angela Jackman

2009.06.26 16:32:28

Susan Jackman

While I typically do not like to re-post other peoples articles or blog posts and prefer to share my own thoughts and opinions I just found a really great resource over at CSS Tricks.  Please check it out!

Susan Jackman | Web-based Communication | Internet | Domain name | Web Development | Tips | CSS | Great Resources | Technology