Welcome
Lead developer, teacher, freelancer and self diagnosed workaholic, I find myself glued to my laptop every minute of the day and night either working or experimenting with technology.
When I do manage to disconnect from my laptop I seem to be teaching others to use technology at New College Nottingham as a Lecturer in Interactive Media.
Their is no escaping the fact...
I am an addict, I confess!
Updates
Copyright!
I always believed myself to be as responsible and law abiding person as the next.
This morning I was greeted in my mailbox a letter demanding a payment of £1.210 for use of copyrighted material on my domain www.flashbite.com (image has been removed for obvious reasons).
I immediately looked into why I received the demand and it turned out the image in question was supplied by a client for use within a design I made.
This however does not by law excuse my from the demand as the small print on the copyright lay responsibility pretty much on anyone who has a connection with the image (designer, end user, handling).
Big lesson for today which will effect any future work, as I will no longer be accepting any client work without a new signed contract which will include a disclaimer covering this situation in future which will mean the client will be responsible for any copyright demands/royalties/penalties etc.
Copyright is there for a good reason I feel dis-hearted though that I have fell foul of the system because of someone else who decided they would steal to save a few quid.
SQLite DB Software
Whilst working on the next version of gepu:t which will include an SQLite DB to remember config settings and password, i found i was in need of some software to allow me to create, edit, browse an SQLLite DB.
I came across several applications which claimed different levels of features but the best one I found is a FireFox extension which gives a full GUI interface and makes admin of SQLite databases really easy, especially if you are already familiar with SQL admin software such as phpMyAdmin etc.
SQLite DB Tool: http://code.google.com/p/sqlite-manager/
gepu:t
New application released built on the AIR platform to solve a small problem with dumb clients unable to use FTP or require to be limited to what folders they can access.
gepu:t allows uploading and sharing of files from a desktop widget, includes password protection to prevent unauthorised uploads.
Future features are planned.
LINK: http://www.geput.com/
Whitesails Gallery eCommerce
White Sails Gallery website finally go live now that World Pay have activated their online shopping cart payment gateway.
White Sails host an extensive range of canvas and framed pictures with delivery only £12 per order. Take a visit and browse the catalogue.
LINK: http://www.whitesailsgallery.co.uk/
Counter Strike Source Map
College has broken up and I had some spare time on my hands end of last week (18/19 July 08). So to keep me occupied I decided to look into creating a map level since I hope to teach in this area in college next year.
Read More Here: http://www.flashbite.com/lostboys_beta2.php
BSL Cafe bar
Just done a design and frontend build on a new cafe/bar opening in Derby soon.
The build was a quick one day turnaround with future work building a CMS to maintain the site later.
Site will be hosted at: http://www.bslcafebar.co.uk/
Going Offline
Media Temple will be scheduling some server maintenance which means that Flashbite will be probably offline during the maintenance.
Scheduled Maintenance will commence: Thursday, June 26th 2008 @11:00 PM - Friday, June 27th @3:00 AM Pacific Time.
Flashbite will be back so sorry for any convenience in the meantime.
Link: http://www.mediatemple.net/
QSC Audio Products UK
Just spec'ed up a minisite for UK provider of QSC audio products which will be homed at: http://www.qscaudio.uk.com
Paragon Law
Just been given the nod for a new website project, TwelveTen have been working on a branding revamp for Paragon Law. The re-vamp includes a freshen up of their identity/brand and a new website which TwelveTen are just about finishing up. I will be taking the design and turning it into a working website as well as bolting on the well known expression engine to allow Paragon Law to manage their website.
LINK PARAGON LAW: http://www.paragonlaw.co.uk
Accessability and Gimmicks
Some things should always be kept separated... it's for the greater good.
So way do people always have to ignore this basic rule?
If you want accessible than design and develop with that in mind, if you want gimmicks that give you a cutting edge then go ahead knock yourself out.
But to mix the two... it's suicide i say.
Parklands School Officially Launch
On Friday 25th April Parklands School were delighted to officially launch thier school website. The children watched Mr D O'Brien (FlashBite) officially cut the ribbons of the red and white balloons to symbolise the launch.
Mrs B Ellender, Vice Chair of Governors at Parklands School, kindly ensured the balloons did not become airbourne until the appropriate time.
More about the launch can be found at
LINK: http://www.parklands-school.co.uk/website.php .
Notts City Council update
Initial designs are looking pretty slick, I got the first graphic template today to start converting to xhtml and css ready for demonstrating to NottsCC early next week.
