Brandon Schenz

I was just awarded a job that collects client information, and when it all validates they will be sent an email with a link to download a PDF whitepaper.  I am able to leverage a lot of my existing code in this project since the collection form is very similar to many contact forms I have created.  I have good JavaScript required field validation, and a PHP field validation (in case JavaScript is turned off).  Sending an email in PHP is such a common function, that I also have a lot of existing code to speed that development as well.

I have a 2 week time frame for this project, but when I get all the data they want to collect in the form, I feel I can be done with development and internal testing in about 2 days.  Allow another day or so for the customer to test, and this one should be out the door.

I like the scope of these projects.  Quick Hits that leverage a lot of existing code, good way to make some shopping money.

Ok, I was asked recently for an example of a Gallery I have worked on.

I was almost at a loss, then I remembered a site I developed in PHP while I worked for RiverWatch Solutions.

We were asked to create a website for a company in Kentucky that builds houseboats.  I will admin that I had alot of assistance with the graphics for the site. However, once I got those graphics I created the layout and functionality of the site.

Worked with a graphic designer to iron out the layout, but I had to make it all work.  I may be biased, but I still think it looks pretty good.  Let me know what you think: http://www.stardustcruisers.com/

So, it has been quiet here for a few days.  This is generally because it has been slow in the development work for me. (Hey if you have any projects that you need help with, just let me know).

I did do a quick hit job from Rent-A-Coder to take a PSD and slice it into a simple HTML/CSS tableless layout, but it was pretty standard stuff, and didn’t even think to write about it. (Especially since it was more design and less development).

I do have a couple project coming up, and will post about them soon.

Ok, in my primary support application it turns out that one of the tables that pulls look-up data is basically totally wrong.  Since this is a live application, it will take too long to actually redesign the table to work the way the business requires.  Today I will start working on changing the dropdown lists to instead pull from an XML file that will store the look-up information that is actually correct.

This is a compromise that I’m willing to accept since it appears that the correct data will only have two to three rows of data in it, and the data will not change much over time.

I still feel a little dirty doing it this way, but I’m going to accept it this time…

Ok, no active projects at this time.

Today I’m living in support hell.  I have to support an application that was written by developers before I started with this company.  Normally this is not a big deal, but it has a high level of support calls on it.  I was told when I started that this was due to it being a high use application, but as I examined the code I found that this was not the true reason.  We get a high number of support calls because it was designed and coded by people who had no idea of what they are doing.

Luckily I have been able to incorporate some changes (such as exception logging -  DUH!), and address some of these support calls to the business who can directly handle the data integrity issues that are all to common in this application.

There may be a project starting in the next week or two where I can start giving examples of just how poorly this thing is done, and how I plan on updating it in a real world scenario.

Also, if I get any Contract work (I love Rent-A-Coder), I’ll be posting about it here as well.

If I get really ambitious, maybe I’ll be able to start some personal projects that have been in the back of my mind for a while.