Having Trouble with Internet Explorer?

You're not alone. In fact, numerous reports have been coming in from clients who are trying to view websites in IE 6, 7, & 8 only to have them not render correctly--meaning that things aren't where they should be. For some reason, IE has had a rough time keeping up with CMS (content management system) platforms and it is driving web designers and programmers crazy. You can get a site to work in all browsers until you test in IE and then something is bound to be moved or missing. A lot of this is due to how IE uses DIV tags and interprets CSS and can take a programmer a lot of extra time to troubleshoot.

Happily for me, according to a recent report from one of our eCommerce providers, CoreCommerce, IE users are dwindling and now fall below 50% of total users. Mozilla's Firefox is the number #2 most popular and Google's Chrome is quickly becoming a new browser of choice along with Safari--Apple's browser on the iPhone and iPad.

So . . . if you've found yourself frustrated with Internet Explorer, I recommend trying a new browser and see how you like it. Regardless of which browser you choose, it's important to keep your version up to date allowing you to properly view all of your favorite sites!

Jefferson County Development Authority

In the spring we helped to launch a new site for the Jefferson County Development Authority. Along with Sandy Sponaugle of Platinum PR and Mike Johnson of TechMethods, we worked closely with Tom Bayuzik and Whitney Burch of JCDA to develop a new site highlighting all that Jefferson County has to offer. I also have a cameo appearance on the site!

Kelly's White Fly Shoppe

http://www.kellyswhitefly.netWhew, what a month! We've been swamped with the Contemporary American Theater Festival, our yearly challenge when we try to see how many work hours we CAN actually pack into a 24 hour day. This Season promises to be great, so if you haven't already done so, be sure to order your tickets: www.catf.org

And, we've been hard at work on a new e-commerce site. Say hello to Kelly's White Fly Shoppe. KWF is a great fly fishing outfitter in Shepherdstown and owners Bryan & Debbi Kelly are really great to work with. If you need fishing gear and accessories, they're your place to go. They also offer casting clinics and fly tying classes. But, more importantly, you can now order all of their great products online!

Word Press, CMS, Joomla, Oh my

Creating sites that give you control . . .

Content, content, content is what really makes your website work best for you. The more you can get your message and product to your clients the better. Up until a year or so ago, clients would request a 'brochure' site--a static site that basically mimicked the information they would have on a brochure. It was an easy solution for small budgets and small staffs that don't have time to update their site with new content. Now, with the emergence of affordable solutions that allow clients to update their site themselves, every site should have at least one element that is updated daily, weekly, or at least monthly. Linking your site to your blog, Facebook, or Twitter page are quick and easy ways to keep your clients connected.You can also have your site designed (or redesigned) as a WordPress or Content Management Site. Both options will allow you easy access to your site via any browser on any computer--all you need is a login. Not only do you have 24/7 access to your site but there is no software to purchase and maintain.

We've started a transition away from traditional HTML sites and are now programming new sites using WordPress or Joomla. We've also started converting current client sites to one of these more user-friendly options that maintains the same look but allows a lot more flexibility in keeping your site content new and fresh, not only with text but also link, photos, audio clips and more.

Our most recent example is our new site for the Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University. I have worked with CATF for the past 10 years on their websites and have watched technology evolve immensely over that time. Our newest site will be the fourth rendition in 10 years. I'd been pushing for a CMS site for years for CATF but the budget just wouldn't allow it. Then, last year, the pricing to develop a CMS reduced drastically allowing us to finally make the transition creating a site that is dynamic, has current information, and most importantly is easy and quick to update. This site was created in conjunction with Johnna Armstrong of Business Technology Source in Shepherdstown.

It's Always Nice to Win A Blue Ribbon

A few weeks ago one of our clients, Jane Tabb (Jefferson County Farm Day, Fresh Feast on the Farm, bringer of flowers and treats) surprised me with a First Place Blue Ribbon West Virginia Agritourism Marketing Award for Best Brochure. The brochure was one we designed for the 2009 Jefferson County Farm Day. Jessica Radlich did the majority (if not all) the design on this project. JC Farm Day is a project we've worked on every year since its inception in 2001. This year's 9th Farm Day will take place on June 19th from 10am - 5pm, is free, and features at least four farms throughout Jefferson County. This is a great event to do with kids because they get to see all types of animals and crops and see real working farms in action. 

Parade of the Everyday

My sister-in-law Kate Shunney has just published her first book of poetry (with design by us!). The cover image is from an Irish painter named Deirdre Keohane. To purchase a copy go to her website at: http://highstreetpresswv.com/

Above is Kate at her first reading and book tour.

Celebrating 10 Years at Eden Design

"Small  is not just a stepping-stone. Small  is a great destination in itself."

The above quote is from the latest book I'm reading called 'Rework' by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson, founders of 37Signals—a small software company specializing in browser-based efficiency programs. We started using their Highrise program about two years ago to track our clients and jobs and recently set up Basecamp for a client to help them track projects. I love the 37Signals line of products because they work well, are simple to use, and  designed well. In fact, we have a mantra of "I heart Highrise" because it does such a great job at keeping us organized.

Needless to say, I couldn't wait to hear what they had to say in their book. It turns out that many of their philosophies are the same ones we've been using from the start. For instance, the above quote really hit home because I'm always struggling with whether or not I should grow Eden Design into a large firm or stay small. I keep coming to the same conclusion that staying small is best--it allows us to provide our clients with the personal attention they've come to expect and to keep our systems flexible to be able to change quickly as technology changes. Since March marks our 10-year Anniversary, we must be doing something right and it is nice to find that the authors of 'Rework' feel the same.

In celebration of our 10 Years, I'll be posting tidbits on all the new services we offer in case you haven't needed us in a while; or perhaps you haven't used us yet. We still stay true to our origins and offer web and print marketing for small businesses, non-profits and the visual and performing arts, but we also offer:

• Marketing Consultations & Management
• Business Startup Consultations
• Social Media Marketing Setup, Management and Tracking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• Custom Design and Management of Email Campaigns (Constant Contact)
• Custom Blog Setup
• WordPress and CMS Sites that offer easy client-side edits

And, after even 10 years we haven't strayed from our original goal of using professional design to help clients achieve visions that often nurture communities and improve local economies. Or as better stated in 'Rework':

"To do great work, you need to feel that you’re making a difference. That you’re putting a meaningful dent in the universe. That you’re part of something important."

Thanks, guys!

Say It With Legos

Check out


my Valentine's Day present from my kid ...


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Snowed in, Again: Feb 3rd

Most Ridiculous Horoscope Ever

I'm not sure what the astrologist was smoking when they wrote this but it really cracked me up:

Pisces:
You'll spend time with someone who highlights your soulfulness. Together, you'll tumble into precious moments of depth and then rise out of them with hearts as light as helium.

I'm probably as hopeless a romantic as a pisces can be but even for me this was over the top. Oh, balloon man with your helium filled hearts of love . . . where are you?!

No Postage Necessary

Many of my clients have heard me complain about how the US Post Office with its need for efficiency and mechanization has ruined sending fun things through the mail. It used to be you could paint a piece of wood, affix the proper amount of postage and away it would go. But no more, everything has to be uniform and BORING.

In Sunday's post, Andrea Sachs wrote a great article about an island in the Galapagos called Floreana where travelers leave postcards in a barrel and other travelers go through them and deliver them by hand. The tradition was started by 18th century whalers as a way to stay in touch with family and friends in England.

Photo by Andrea Sachs/Washington Post

Washingtonian for a Weekend

Dusting my butt. I used to never pay attention to weather predictions because I thought they were full of poo. However, since having a kid I take the forecasters' magic eight ball declarations a bit more serious--I have to plan ahead when there might not be school or more importantly keep my precious safe from impending floods, blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. But that's my anxiety talking and another topic all together. The point is, I decided to attend my cousin's 30th birthday party in DC on Friday night knowing that we may receive a 'dusting' of snow--no more than an inch. My anxiety meter registered this on the 'no need to freak out' scale so around 5pm I took off.

I checked into my favorite DC hotel (and client) The Carlyle Suites in Dupont Circle and then walked (yes walked--something confusingly foreign in rural WV) to the Science Club for the party. Like most DC clubs, the Science Club is three floors of an old DC building--narrow with lots of nice architectural elements AND they were serving a Samuel Smith's Winter Ale--delicious!

The next morning I walked back into Dupont for tea and breakfast at Teasim (ginger chai shake, smoked salmon and a scone) and then checked out the Phillip's Collection. I really like the Phillip's--small enough to get through quickly and they have some really fantastic pieces. This time around, I found myself drawn to several George Braque paintings and The Philodendron was by far the most intriguing. I was also impressed by the photographer Josef Sudek and his image of record albums--unfortunately they wouldn't let me take a photo of it and I can't find a copy on the web. Many people feel that the Phillip's is too expensive--most DC museums are free. I don't mind paying the $10 but what I do mind is having someone follow me around the whole time. They must have had two people for every room for this purpose.

At this point it began snowing quite heavily but thinking it would soon end, I packed up got in the car and headed to Trader Joe's a mile away. That's when I realized I wasn't going anywhere. I turned around and my hosts and the Carlyle graciously granted me another night. Being stuck in DC, while a bit lonely for me, is a great city to be stuck in. I shopped some in the Circle (one of my favorite stores is Tabletop a designer's paradise--Lotta Jansdotter, Orla Keily, Jonathan Adler and more) and then later I was able to walk from the hotel to Perry's in Adams Morgan and warm up with a fisherman's stew and stuffed dates. After FREEZING on the street for a while, I finally got a cab and we slid our way through the city to the E Street Cinema for Crazy Heart. While the 'Lebowski's' performance was really remarkable and T. Bone Burnett produced a great soundtrack, the movie itself was a bit lackluster. No real story or maybe no new story when it comes to aging alcoholic musicians.

I took the Metro back to Dupont, made a stop at Starbucks and headed back to the hotel. I awoke to a beautiful, sunny, Sunday morning and looked out my room window over snowy DC rooftops to the Washington Monument. Pretty impressive view. After breakfast at Luna Grille & Diner (smoked salmon omelet) I once again loaded up and finally headed over to Trader Joe's on Pennsylvania avenue to stock up before heading back to WV. All in all a lovely forced vacation weekend. Thank you snow!!