Impulse Web Solutions of Wilmington NC - Blog

Find Us on Facebook link

2009-09-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

You've got a Facebook page for your company, but now you want to put a link to your Facebook page on your company website.

Not sure how to do it? Give me a call - it's simple and inexpensive to add.

Contact Me Today!

Facebook Widgets

2009-08-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

Facebook now allows you to embed several different types of widgets onto your blog or website:

1. Profile Badge

2. Photo Badge

3. Fan Box

4. Live Stream Box

5. Page badge

Link: http://www.facebook.com/facebook-widgets/

If you need help setting these up on your blog or website, please let me know.

Ajax in 10 minutes

2009-08-26T20:04:00.001-07:00

I recommend the following book on getting started with Ajax:

Ajax in 10 Minutes
Sams Teach Yourself
Phil Ballard

http://www.amazon.com/Sams-Teach-Yourself-AJAX-Minutes/dp/0672328682

My only complaint is that the first half of the book does a brief overview of Javascript, HTML, CSS and PHP. I already know all of that stuff so I didn't really need the refresher chapters but overall the sections on Ajax were very thorough. It had some good explanations and easy to follow examples that I coded for myself just to make it sink into my brain.

Impulse embeds YouTube code on Aussie Island

2009-08-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

I recently setup a simple PHP script that allows the site admin to copy and paste embded code from YouTube into a MySQL database.

The code is pasted into a simple HTML textarea field and the user hits an 'Upload' button. The code is then inserted into the database using a simple MySQL UPDATE query.

Once the query runs, a simple return message is displayed saying 'Upload Successful!'.

Check it out: http://www.aussieisland.com/

Need help setting up Facebook or Twitter?

2009-08-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Impulse is now offering a new service in reference to social media networking. You've heard of them - Faceook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. We can coach you on how to set up your own account and create a personal profile. We can also provide tips and clues on how to optimize these accounts to increase your presence on the web.

Link: http://www.impulsewebdesigns.com/social+networking+media.php

PHP Variables

2009-06-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

I am going to start a new series on PHP programming 101. Check back often for new tutorials, ideas, facts and featured functions. If you have any suggestions or questions about anything PHP related don't hesitate to leave a comment.

The concept of a variable is used to store information that can be used later on. PHP variables are very easy to setup and define; here is the syntax:

$nameOfVariable = Value;

where Value can be any string.

Examples:

$var = 'Hello World';
$data = '12345';
$myString = 'xyz';

To print a variable out to the webpage, just use the 'echo' statement:

echo $var;

According to www.tizag.com, here are some important tips on variable naming conventions:

There are a few rules that you need to follow when choosing a name for your PHP variables.

PHP variables must start with a letter or underscore "_".
PHP variables may only be comprised of alpha-numeric characters and underscores. a-z, A-Z, 0-9, or _ .
Variables with more than one word should be separated with underscores. $my_variable
Variables with more than one word can also be distinguished with capitalization. $myVariable

Website design in a rough economy

2009-05-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

To be successful in today's business and advertise your services and products, a website is number 1. Print ads are struggling because the web has become the number one source for consumers to search for the information they need.

Establish your web presence today! We have website solutions for tight budgets. Call or email today for more information.

Affordable web sites for Wilmington NC

2009-05-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

If you are operating on a low budget and need a decent website, we can help. We have a program in place to help small business begin their web presence with a fairly inexpensive website.

- Up to 5 pages
- Static website
- Simple web design
- Hosting and email provided
- Domain registration
- Contact form
- CMS

Starting at $999.99

Call or email today for more information.

PHP Programmer for small to medium sized projects

2009-05-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

If you have something easy you need done in a jiffy - send me an email. I knock out contact forms, registration forms, data entry forms, etc. pretty quickly. My prices are competitive and reasonable.

Don't settle for cheap work

2009-04-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

I was scanning Craigslist looking for some work and saw someone looking for a web developer at $7 an hour. You gotta be kidding me. I can make more than that working at Home Depot.

If you are a developer or designer, never settle for less than what you think you deserve. If you are good, then charge it.

Someone else made a comment about this on Craigslist - here was his/her comment:

"There have been many postings lately asking for designers/coders/who knows what and offering practically minimum wage. That is despicable. I have personally found that 30 dollars is the bare minimum (I was charging that while still in school).

And anyone who is thinking of taking a job at anything less than 30 an hour (unless you have no experience and it is a very good internship), please reconsider, it hurts and cheapens our profession."

Impulse scores a 70 on WebsiteGrader.com

2009-01-27T21:11:00.000-08:00

Check out our fancy new badge; 70 out of a 100 aint' bad heh?

Link: WebsiteGrader.com

Barack Obama's Website

2009-01-20T19:40:00.000-08:00

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

I was checking out the new president's website today - very nice. Lots of Web 2.0 gradients, a table-less layout, embedded video, blog, etc.

I checked out the CSS and found out what the background image was. Right in the center of the image is a pretty cool pic with the Obama logo right in the middle:

Impulse works with Graphic Moxie on Tiffany's Rentals

2009-01-08T19:08:00.001-08:00

Tiffany's Rentals (www.tiffanysrentals.com) lists a nice selection of houses for rent on Bald Head Island, located off of the southeastern coast of North Carolina, between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic ocean.

Graphic Moxie has done an excellent job redesigning the website and Impulse has been in charge of the PHP programming and MySQL database development. The rentals are stored in a database and the site admin has the ability to add, update and delete rental listings at their leisure.

The new design should be up very soon so be sure and check out the site in the near future.

Link: Tiffany's Rentals on Bald Head Island, NC

Wilmington NC Hotels

2008-12-17T17:46:00.000-08:00

Looking for a great hotel in Wilmington NC?

I know that 2 new ones just opened up on Eastwood heading down towards Wrightsville beach.

Here are the top 10 websites for finding hotels in Wilmington NC according to Google:

http://hotel-guides.us/north-carolina/wilmington-nc-hotels.html

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ILMNCHF-Hilton-Wilmington-Riverside-North-Carolina/index.do

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-478397-wilmington_vacations-i

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ilmcy-courtyard-wilmington/

http://www.coastlineinn.com/

http://www.wilmingtonhi.com/

http://www.hotel-rates.com/us/north-carolina/wilmington/

http://www.redroof.com/

http://www.thewilmingtonian.com/home.htm

How we charge for websites

2008-12-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

We require 50% up front and 50% when the site is complete. That way, you secure our time so we can begin working on the site.

For example, let's say I have 2 customers, A and B. Customer A is willing to pay 50% up front but Customer B does not. Whose site do you think I'm going to work on first?

Let's say I spend 2 weeks working on a design for Customer B who did not pay a deposit. Customer B decides to leave and let a competitor work on their website. I just spent 2 weeks, not getting paid, not working on another site and not out looking for more work.

I am interested in how other designers and developers out there charge for their websites/projects. Feel free to leave a comment.

How to install Wordpress

2008-12-14T16:35:00.000-08:00

Go their website and read the instructions - http://wordpress.com/

However, if you cannot figure it out or you just don't have the time to mess with it, give me a call and I can help you out. I have installed it plenty of times for other sites I have worked on.

Call now! 1.910.538.6731 use the Contact page contact form to send me an email.

On a side note, I saw this job post on Craigslist today:

We need the following today:

- Someone to setup Wordpress on our host
- Take our custom/ branded CSS and create a Wordpress template
- Install the new custom template to the Wordpress blog

Send hourly/ project rate and examples of your work. This should not take you more than 2 hours.

I find it amusing how someone who does NOT know how to install Wordpress, much less create a custom Wordpress template, know that this type of project should only take 2 hours. Without seeing the complexity of the design, it would be impossible to quote an accurate estimate on the time needed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T17:25:00.001-08:00

I would like to wish all of my clients and everyone else out there a Happy Thanksgiving!

Take some time to be with family and get some rest and fellowship.

Remember that we only go around this life once.

Please enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday and take time to reflect on how far you

have come on the journey, so far (and how good God has been to you

along the way.)

Watch for opportunities to make a difference to others (who may

not have friends or family.) Opportunities abound all around you if you watch for them.

PS. I got some of this from John Alexander over at www.searchengineworkshops.com and modified it.

Here are some ways to give back this holiday season:

1. Next time you go to the grocery store, pick up some extra food for the Salvation Army or in Wilmington we have The Good Shepard Ministry

2. Volunteer to work in a local soup kitchen that feeds the homeless.

3. Be sure to give thanks to God and others who have provided for you.

4. Make amends with someone you aren't getting along with, whether be a friend, co-worker or family member. As mentioned above, we only have one shot at life, so it's best to spend it getting along.

Hire a web designer

2008-11-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

Looking for a web designer? Looking for a web developer? Looking for someone who can help you update your existing site?

Look no further! We can help! Call us today for a free consultation and quote - 1.910.538.6731

Link: Web Designer Portfolio

Wilmington Bloggers

2008-11-18T12:48:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to a local blogger website in Wilmington. Feel free to check them out.

Impulse launches www.lmmed.com of Wilmington NC

2008-11-18T12:21:00.001-08:00

We just launched the new website for Lifestyle Mobility and Med Supply of Wilmington NC.

They specialize in mobility devices for the elderly and disabled; a large segment of their business is dedicated to US Veterans.

Link: Check out the website!

DISCLAIMER: THE SITE CONTENT IS NOT COMPLETE, BUT THE DESIGN IS. CONTENT DEVLOPMENT IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE OWNER. PLEASE DISREGARD ANY LATIN OR DUMMY TEXT.

Festival Latino Saturday Nov. 8 Hugh MacRae Park in Wilmington

2008-11-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Don't miss the Festival Latino this Saturday Nov. 8 from from 11-8 at
Hugh MacRae Park in Wilmington NC. There will be lots of delicious food from all over
Latin America and great music all day! We're having more arts and crafts
artists than ever this year, as well as more free children's activities.

Let the children play while you eat tamales and dance salsa!

Numerous booths from health and human service
organizations, local businesses, and churches will also be offering
information about their services.

This event is free and open to the public - come early, parking is limited!

Link: Google Maps and Directions for Hugh McRae Park

Christian Band Web Design

2008-10-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Are you in a Christian band? Need a website to promote your next album? We can help!

Call us today to get a free quote! 1.910.538.6731

NC Website Builder

2008-10-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

Looking for a website builder? Look no further - we provide a full array of web services from design, development, programming, SEO and more.

Call us today for a free quote! 1.910.538.6731

Web Developer and Web Designer Jobs

2008-10-15T09:18:00.001-07:00

Check out this great resource if you looking for web work: http://www.authenticjobs.com/

"Authentic Jobs is a targeted destination for standards-aware designers and developers and the companies seeking to hire them."

What is Google Gears?

2008-10-09T13:31:00.001-07:00

I had a friend tell me about Google Gears the other day so I did some digging. I found a page about it on Google, but honestly, I'm still not 100% sure what it is still. From what I gather, it will allow you to run web applications offline? Here is a link to Google's site - maybe if you can figure it out please leave a comment on this blog.

Link: Google Gears Examples

You must first install it on your browser/computer before you can run these demos.

Another useful link explaining Google Gears