a bit of a hiatus...the site's almost done

So, I've been learning a bit about working with foreign coders. For instance, if you send an image that is labeled in the top left corner, then the page that gets created has the label in the top left corner of the page.... just as you provided it :-). Seriously though, the developers have done a pretty good job. There are a number of outstanding bugs, but hopefully the site will be done and ready to launch this week. Then there's the big marketing push to start getting folks working on summaries.

Main Page Design

Here it is. Bright colors, gradients, etc... I think the google ads are fairly well placed so that they're not obtrusive.

Qwikibook design - web 2.0 fabulous

I created the design for the site this week-end. I did it in photoshop. I hope the developers at Planetsoft (who won the rentacoder bid) can get the site looking like this (I don't see any reason why not!).

I'll post some small thumbnails of the important pages (main, sample summary page, and main homepage).

User interface..ideas?

I've chosen a coder and jumped through the rentacoder hoops. I'm starting to mock-up the page designs. Nothing fancy. I'm thinking that keeping it as clean and simple as possible would be best. Keep the "Google" design approach, not the Yahoo one. If you're not familiar with that, there's a great post here. Interested in any comments or feedback.... :-)

Rentacoder Snag Overcome... Let's get it started

Just got this notification from RentaCoder

Your credit card image was received and we are now alerting your coder to begin work. Thanks for you help in protecting your credit card from unauthorized use.

Rentacoder - SNAG...

What the heck... Every other site on the internet takes cards. Why is rentacoder so inane. Here's what I just got from them...

IMPORTANT: SECURITY CHECK REQUIRED--Type 2: Preferred User Verify As you may know...almost 10% of all Internet transactions are fraudulent. To protect you, the opposite party and ourselves...we will be doing a "Type 2: Preferred User Verification" on this charge. This is completely ordinary and routine when your total account charges reach a certain amount...you have done nothing to 'cause' this to happen. We do this by obtaining a copy of the front and back of the card you made the charge with. (or if you are paying via PayPal, then the card associated with your PayPal account). To do this, please scan the front and back of your card and email it to me at Verify@rentacoder.com. (If you do not have a scanner, you can either take a digital photo of the card or fax a copy of it to the fax number below.) For your protection, I suggest that you block out the middle eight digits (AMEX middle seven digits) on both the front and back of the card before you send me the copy. If you cannot do any of the above (and are paying by credit card) you can also contact me to arrange for the following alternative verification method. I can deduct an undisclosed amount (less than $1.50) from your card and when you verify the exact amount from your bank/online statement you will be verified. (The amount deducted is also credited to your account). Please email me directly if you'd like to do this instead and I will give you further instructions. Once I receive your verification, I will both call you to confirm receipt as well as notify your coder to begin work. Additionally, your security profile will be updated to reflect that you have passed this verification.Please note that if we cannot complete this verification, then we apologize, but we will have to respectfully decline your business (and of course, refund your credit card). As a final note, the Type 2: Preferred User Verification is never repeated. For complete information on the verification process, as well as possibly 'pre-verifying' for future work if you anticipate being in a rush, please go to: http://www.RentACoder.com/RentACoder/Verify Thank you for you help and combating Internet fraud. Sincerely, Julia Robertson

Oh well, I'll do it... what a pain in the ass. I'm using Odesk.com from now on.

Rentacoder...full steam ahead

After a bit of a delay due (my wife's mother passed away and I was with her in VA and not focusing on this), I've decided to move ahead with one of the bidders from Rentacoder. He will be starting this week. I've got to develop some user interface photoshop images this week to help guide the interface. I'm excited it's getting started :-). Miles Lasater is joining in the project. Miles is also an avid reader who I bet will contribute to quite a few wiki book summaries. Always glad to have him involved :-).