Terrell Website Project

This is a post to update progress on the Terrell Manufacturing Services website project.

Here's what's been happening thus far:

I've been learning about UV technology on & off for the last two weeks. On Sunday, February 14th, I actually began the design process using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The theme was completed, and I began to add content. The majority of time to this point was spent working on images.

On Tuesday, February 16th, I met with Anna and other staff from Terrell. I received an excellent briefing as to the services, capabilities and expectations of the company. I was also given a PowerPoint presentation and additional images. I received two different logos. One for TERRELL Manufacturing Services, and one for TERRELL UV. The one for TERRELL Manufacturing Services is not of great "physical" quality. Perhaps there is another "Master" somewhere. It will be noticeable when compared to other, higher quality images on the page. Additionally, the logo seems a little wide. In the interim, I spent over an hour trying to duplicate the logo, matching the scale of the sun and pyramid. To address the issue of width, I stacked TERRELL above "Manufacturing Services". Ultimately, I will include the logo that the company wants. For now, I am providing the re-designed logo as an additional option.

I was also given access to the company WordPress site. I've have not used WordPress in the past. I learned that it is not like GoDaddy and other hosting platforms in that I cannot just upload my own HTML and CSS files. I contacted Anna to inquire as to the possibility of moving the domain to GoDaddy. This migration would only be possible if the company doesn't use their email. Anna informed me that the company does use the email. Since transferring the domain would be too disruptive (all prior emails would be lost), I've got to learn WordPress.

On Wednesday, nothing was completed due to my parental obligations and Weds night show.

On Thursday, I am back at it. I've spent much of the afternoon learning WordPress, and now BootStrap. BootStrap is a platform for designing custom and static web pages on WordPress. This was the platform that the prior website designer used. I anticipate being functional in BootStrap later this evening. My goal is to have a homepage up before the end of the night. This will give the company an opportunity to begin providing feedback and content.

Also planned for this evening is to go through the PowerPoint and pictures to begin incorporating some of that information into the site. I'll update as to my progress at the end of the evening.

UPDATE 1:

 I spent a lot of time on various tutorials. But, the majority of my time was spent setting up my computer to properly host WordPress and Bootstrap. This involved configuring my IIS, then installing and configuring PHP, Python, and MySQL. This was all necessary to eventually install WordPress on my computer, which will now be synched with the website and allow me to begin proper development.

UPDATE 2:

I am done for the day because I have to work. To highlight today.... I ran into some configuration problems, but everything installed and running great. This wasn't like installing software out of the box! That took about 3 hours of my day.

I spent the last 2.5 hours on two tutorials. I learned a great deal today as to how my HTML and CSS gets imported. I am spending extra time on the tutorials, doing the examples (no matter how mundane) to completely familiarize myself with how this all works. I've had very little experience with PHP, but such is the case no more. I thought I would have the theme (backdrop) finished, but I decided not to rush things and take the time to learn what I need to know. Then, I'll start the import. I need the repetition so that I can maintain the knowledge.

UPDATE 3:

Spent 11 hours today on tutorials and started building the theme. The entire site is being built on my local computer. When finished with the build, I have to put all of the files in a ZIP file in wordpress theme format, then upload it as a custom theme.

As of right now, the top header and navigation menu is complete (for now). Eventually, I know the navigation will change based on the pages that will be created. So, I am not going to spend a ton of time on it. The good news is that I am through with the learning process, so it should go much quicker.

UPDATE 4:

On Monday, I had an issue with Wordpress, which mandated a new installation on the GoDaddy server on Tuesday. It was a real easy mistake to make. But, I was able to get the Fabrication page "finished". I just couldn't publish it until the re-install was complete.

I also changed the logo (as requested) and fixed some general formatting bugs. At some point, I plan to get all of the blues elements on the page the exact same. Also, the footer needs some work. Other than that, I am ready to start working on the final two pages for this site. The next portion will take some time. This is where I need to merge what I learned on my own about UV Curing and what I was provided with, and then turn it into content.

The goal from the beginning was to get the website "close" with the design and the content, and then let the client provide the actual, finished content.

My schedule is up in the air for tomorrow (Weds). It's Records Day, so Alex doesn't have school. Then, I have to work in the evening. So, I may not be back to work until Thursday.

That's all.

UPDATE 5: I did find time to work on the site today. I reviewed the information I received and compiled an outline as to how I plan to use it. Wrote some code for the UV Systems page. Tried to upload this update in the new theme, but it's telling me my theme is too large. This is because right now (but only temporarily), I am including the images in the theme package because I am using Wordpress both my local machine and the GoDaddy server. I'll set those images to the root on the GoDaddy server, which will eliminate the problem. Not something I have time to do today, as I am heading to work soon.

I'm also going to ask Anna if the company can write the About Us section paragraphs. This is typically a history of the company and it's founder, and key personnel. I'd also like to include pictures of the facility and personnel.

I'll be back at it after noon tomorrow.

UPDATE 6:

Worked on a self-coded contact form today. I'm not very fluent in PHP. My first real adventure with this coding language is this project. I took some time to actually learn the PHP I was using.

The argument for a "self-coded" Contact Form versus one from a standard plugin, like "Contact Form 7" is that it is much less taxing on the server, and it provides a quicker loading experience for the user versus a commercial product.

I have a Contact Form Plugin that is functional. It will still need a little customizing because the server has to return (or show) a customized form based upon the page that is calling for it (Does the user need a simple contact form for the About Us page, or a Request for Quote from the Quotes page?).

I'll be back tomorrow. This first draft should be finished tomorrow...

UPDATE 7:

Nothing was done on Saturday. On Sunday, I started the TERRELL UV site.

The reasons why I am starting the TERRELL UV site now with the other one not complete is as follows. First, the only content I have left is content for the UV Page. It would be best to wait so that I can describe the TERRELL UV website in the best possible manner to ensure a pleasant user experience. Second, I still have to fully code the contact form. It's better from a coding standpoint to do both website's Contact Forms at the same time.

The TERRELL UV site will go very quickly. This is because the design is based upon the Terrell Manufacturing website, with some evident theme changes. I think it looks very good, if I may say so myself.

I won't be uploading the changes to either website tonight. That is a process that takes some time, and that time was spent in other areas of development.

That is all for tonight. Tomorrow, I hope to have the TERRELL UV site hot, with the only exception being the Contact Form.