http://9degrees.com/blog/ en michael@9degrees.com Copyright 2009 2009-01-01T17:46:47-05:00 http://9degrees.com/blog/happy-new-year-2009/ http://9degrees.com/blog/happy-new-year-2009/#When:17:46:47Z I'm happy to announce the re-launch of 9degrees.com. We had goals to provide more focus on what our core competencies are, show a fresh new design that is in keeping with web standards, and last but not least, a bona fide portfolio.I'm happy to announce the re-launch of 9degrees.com. Our Goals We had goals to provide more focus on what our core competencies are, show a fresh new design that is in keeping with web standards, and last but not least, a bona fide portfolio. Looking back on 2008, I noticed a few things that are worth mentioning. Web 2.0 is alive and well, but has somehow become more refined, and less hype. FileMaker After more than 15 years of using FileMaker for developing databases and applications, I find both the application itself (now at version 10), and the legions of corporate clients, professional developers, and indeed the casual end-user to be useful in so many technology endeavors. There are of course many different technology solutions from which to choose, and FileMaker is by no means always the answer, but with a steady dose of functionality improvements, and in recent versions, the ability to communicate directly with enterprise scale databases, it maintains a spot in many organizations for rapid development with unparalleled ease of use. All Things Web We continue to hone our skills with regard to web-based applications written using open source technologies and cutting-edge frameworks like CodeIgniter. For more information, read all about us... General 2009-01-01T17:46:47-05:00 http://9degrees.com/blog/a-list-apart-survey-2008/ http://9degrees.com/blog/a-list-apart-survey-2008/#When:07:21:20Z A List Apart has been a great resource for years now. If your work has anything to do with the web community, jump over and take their current survey. I did...A List Apart has been a great resource for years now. If your work has anything to do with the web community, jump over and take their current survey. I did... I attended An Event Apart in April, 2006 and it was well worth it. Web Standards 2008-11-17T07:21:20-05:00 http://9degrees.com/blog/why-this-site-isnt-updated-enough/ http://9degrees.com/blog/why-this-site-isnt-updated-enough/#When:15:29:05Z It recently occurred to me that I struggle with how to update my site to reflect my recent work. The fact is 90% of my time is spent contracting with a few different companies, and for obvious reasons (and some not so obvious), I cannot simply throw up a screen shot of a project I have developed (usually solely).It recently occurred to me that I struggle with how to update my site to reflect my recent work. The fact is 90% of my time is spent contracting with a few different companies, and for obvious reasons (and some not so obvious), I cannot simply throw up a screen shot of a project I have developed (usually solely). I suppose I could change a few names, a few CSS rules, and blur some key features... and I just may do that. While I'm a busy as ever (which is the main reason this site is not updated more frequently), I am going to attempt to figure a way to show some recent work in a very creative manner. Wait a minute... here's another excuse - it's Valentine's Day. I need to run and get something nice for my bride. General 2008-02-14T15:29:05-05:00 http://9degrees.com/blog/one-talented-photographer/ http://9degrees.com/blog/one-talented-photographer/#When:19:00:20Z I've recently completed Emily Followill's new photography portfolio, Heavy use of jQuery, a dose of web standards, and a color palette inspired by the client. I've recently completed Emily Followill's new photography portfolio, Heavy use of jQuery, a dose of web standards, and a color palette inspired by the client. The portfolio was created using jQuery's jCarousel developed by Jan Sorgalla. For those of you that might notice, getting one carousel to control another in the portfolio pages (other than 'out of the box') took some doing. Any alternatives would be welcome. As for Emily's work, it's nothing short of professional talent with a natural eye leading the way. Pick up a leading decorating/design magazine... you're likely to see her name in the credits. Projects 2007-06-15T19:00:20-05:00 http://9degrees.com/blog/textmate-wins/ http://9degrees.com/blog/textmate-wins/#When:20:58:55Z Well, I bit the bullet and began using TextMate.  After years of using BBEdit (and liking it), I just felt that there was a more modern editor out there than gave us things like code-completion, etc. Well, I bit the bullet and began using TextMate. After years of using BBEdit (and liking it), I just felt that there was a more modern editor out there than gave us things like code-completion, etc. Feature-rich, it's not an editor for everyone. If you need WYSIWYG, look to Adobe's Dreamweaver or some other application, but if you can handle hand-coding, you'll not be disappointed. The more of a programmer you are, the more you'll like TextMate. General, Projects 2006-06-03T20:58:55-05:00