Chinook Blog
Bend Big Fat Tour Posted on 5/28/2008
Today I launched a new website for a local non-profit organization: Bend's Big Fat Tour. The BBFT is an annual mountain biking event that takes place here in Central Oregon that takes bikers on some of the more sceneic/fun rides we have around Bend.
Be sure to check out the new site, and if you are an avid biker, signup for this great event.
Find a Domain Name That Fits Posted on 5/9/2008
Getting started online all starts with a name... Well typically you want to have an idea of what your web site is going to be about in general, but having an idea for a catchy domain name is a good place to start.
I will admit that I'm a bit of a domain name hoarder. I get these ideas for killer new websites all the time and I run out and start checking on domain names for my next big idea. In the past I would pull up GoDaddy's website to search for domains, but I really didn't like the format of the search, nor all the spam that got tossed up on the screen.
As such I set out to make my own little domain name lookup page. It's still pretty rough around the edges, but the form will automagically go out and check a domain name's availability while you type. If you are a fast typer, you might notice some lag... needless to say, it is a work in progress.
If your domain name is available, a fun box will be shown that is green (yeah!) and you can click it to register it straight away for under $7! What a deal. Once I get the kinks worked out, I'm going to find myself a fancy domain dotcom name to house this script at full time.
Lets Pull Together Posted on 5/3/2008
As a joint project with the fine folks of Key Creatives I helped launch a new website for a local non-profit group that has taken on the big task of pulling lots of weeds. Lets Pull Together is a Bend-Based group that organizes events and education for the elimination of invasive weed species.
The new site has information about upcoming weed pull events across Oregon, as well as educational information about the various invasive species that are found in our state.
OPB's Oregon Field Guide has been focusing on the issues surrounding invasive species, and have a video online about the Yellow Star Thistle. So check out Lets Pull Together, and try to make it to one of the events to make a difference in the fight against invasive species here in Oregon.
SugarSynch: Application Data Backup Posted on 4/26/2008
A few weeks ago I wrote about SugarSynch here on the blog. I have been actively using SugarSynch to backup data between my laptop and my desktop at the office. Things have been working wonderfully so far. I have my My Documents folder being synched up between both machines. Needless to say I'm a big fan of SugarSynch.
One issue I have encountered is the ability to backup data in hidden folders. For example, an Adobe AIR application I use stores its data file inside a hidden folder in my profile, and SugarSynch Manager will not allow you to select hidden folders for backup.
My fix for this was to create a simple DOS cmd file to take my hidden folders and drop them into the "Magic Briefcase" (SugarSynch lingo for a folder that gets replicated automagically). You can use your Windows Scheduler to have this auto-run for you to boot.
Try SugarSynch Free
So my dear blogsphere friends, I suggest you give SugarSynch a try. Try SugarSync Free for 45 Days. If you have questions about it, drop me a line using the contact form here on the site.
Longboard Skateboard Classifieds Posted on 4/25/2008
We launched another site this week for our friends at The Longboard Store. The new site is aptly named The Longboard Trader... as its sole purpose is to provide a free venue for skaters to buy/sell used longboard skateboards, and related equipment (wheels, trucks, decks etc).
The site utilizes the existing Longboard store design, but offers a very simple form for users to post new items to the longboard classifieds. Much like CraigsList, user's must activate their post via a confirmation email, and are contacted by site visitors via an anonymous email form too.
To prevent spammers from exploiting the new service, we implemented the super slick ReCaptcha web service.
