Someone recently was wondering if getting someone to host their website locally as opposed to one of the hosting giants was the best option. I can definitively say that local hosting firms can be the absolute worst – if they are physically hosting their own servers. It takes a fair amount of money and personnel to do it completely and it just doesn’t pay well enough to provide great hosting,… more
Zen Cart Upgrade – do it now unless…
April 26th, 2010It’s been a while since the last big upgrade so decisioning time is here again and as usual it’s a bit of a mine field. Since there are a number of core changes and a few template changes in the 1.3.9a upgrade, research and preparation is definitely key to a smooth and successful upgrade. First of all, templates: have you made changes to the login_default or shopping cart templates? Those… more
The Good News about Zen Cart Hacks
January 21st, 2010Hacked Zen Carts started appearing after the powers that be at Zen Cart announced some patches last year. A newly vulnerability was discovered that has led to cart hacking after it was announced! The one that has caused so many problems simply inserts php code into the images folder and that code usually just needs removing and your cart can be restored to working order. If you are a Zen… more
My client wants a big flash banner – what do I do? Part II
December 30th, 2009I’ve found several tricks that can reduce the footprint (loading and visual) and impact of a flash object. It seems the most popular use of flash is that ever present top banner – that place you cannot avoid looking at. And therein lies the problem. First, consider a hidden division with keywords. Place a division with a display none style above the flash to get those keywords and good… more
Oh, no, my client wants a big flash banner -what do I do? part 1
December 24th, 2009Any decent web designer/developer knows and understands the idea of best web practices, but what to do when your client won’t cooperate? This got to be the biggest bane of web pros: clients who pay to have it done their way rather than pay a web pro to manage the project. I’ve developed quite a bag of tricks to deliver the look of what they want — and learned to accept the inevitable: they… more
Charlottesville Running Company: my favorite walk
December 8th, 2009The Charlottesville Running Company is running a weekly contest between now and Christmas. The following is my entry: My favorite walk is down at Riverview Park. This section of the Rivanna trail has everything from the roar of traffic to the almost quiet of the forest to the sounds of the river. Between the birds (including a flock of geese), cicadas and the regular deep croak of a… more
The 10 Keys to Ecommerce Success
November 1st, 2009I can’t begin to tell you how many times someone has come to me or I have seen a request for an online shop. Sometimes they actually say, “I want to have a web shop and make money” and don’t even know what they sell. Other times someone comes up with a brainy idea: “I want a site like VistaPrint”. My question, “Do you have the designs and the ability to print?” Answer, “No, can’t you do that… more
