Wordpress 3.3

In their typical yearly fashion, the good folks at WordPress.org released a new version of their brilliant, free to license software yesterday.

Their latest version, 3.3 “Sonny” named after yet another jazz legend, includes a couple new features worth taking a look at: a new interface that’s more geared toward fluid layout for a range of different devices (good news for folks who edit their site on their phone or ‘pad), a new media library that is simpler to use, more thorough in-system help screens, and a small addition for developers that should help me build more flexible sites.

All and all, another great reason to continue using the best open-source content management system!

NexusFont

I’ve been putting it off for a very long time, so today I finally broke down and made myself choose a piece of software to help me manage my vast collection of fonts. After scouring the web and testing out a few different options, my favorite has landed: Xiles.net NexusFont.

Nexus font has a simple to use interface, loads my whole library fairly quickly, and most importantly: lets me choose which sample text I use and allows me to group my fonts into sets of my choosing.

Finally! Now I no longer need to spend hours sitting in front of Adobe Illustrator hitting the “down” arrow a thousand times to find the right font. If you’ve ever had a similar experience, you should check NexusFont.

American Bullet

Partnered with my associates at Mindflint Media, American Bullet manufactures high quality, factory new ammunition for a variety of firearms and target pistols.

The American Bullet site features a custom design, an easy to update content management system, and custom-made e-commerce shopping cart including user accounts, history and product discounts.

Lookin’ sharp! Check out more details under my Data-Driven section.

Start Talking

The Start Talking Network is a local non-profit organization based in Evergreen Colorado dedicated to helping people “be better” and preventing suicide.

Start Talking Network features a manageable resources directory of local contacts for emergency and non-emergency depression-related treatment, listings and registration for fundraising events and activities, and a simple donate option.

A great site for a great cause! Check out more project details under my Interactive section.

USOMC.org

Brought to me by my uncle Randall Benway, an expert concert pianist, United States Open Music Competition is an international piano competition for young prodigies.

Expanding upon their current site, the new USOMC site featured a brand new design and layout, language translation capabilities, and an easy to update content management system.

These kids have some amazing talent! Check out more project details under my Interactive section.

Wordpress 3.2

Today, the good folks at WordPress released the latest and greatest version of their amazing content management software – version 3.2 “Gershwin”.

This newest version focuses on speed and compatibility, which I feel was a strong focus for this release. The interface has been streamlined, the database is quicker, greater support for mobile updating has been added and updates only download the files you need instead of re-loading the entire software. Not too shabby, WordPress.

As a fan and follower of WordPress, VectorDefector will continue to offer quality websites that are light-loading, easy to update and are easy on the eyes. Contact us today to get started!

Conscious Alliance

Conscious Alliance is a long term non-profit client that focuses on spreading good vibes- through utilizing concert events to fund and promote awareness of food banks and food drives for the underprivileged.

This newly designed and developed site strives to add community and social network focus to the Conscious Alliance cause along with a shiny new look and feel. An re-integrated custom e-commerce solution features a simple backend management toolset to organize and sort posters and their prices, a front-end poster gallery with an in-page ordering system, and options to make recurring donations through a secure payment gateway.

Lookin’ sharp and working great- nice work guys!

Windhaven Medical Imaging

Another fine collaboration with my associates at Mindflint Media yielded a brand new site for the good folks at Windhaven Medical Imaging. Focusing on top-of-the-line, high tech medical imaging and radiology, Windhaven sought out a simple yet clean data-driven site to encompass their brand and messaging.

This custom site built on the WordPress platform features SEO friendly data driven content, and some added features for physicians and visitors alike.

Another nice turnout!

Wordpress 3.0

This week, the good folks at WordPress.org released the 13th iteration of their amazing open-source content management software entitled version 3.0: Thelonious.

Named after jazz legend Thelonious Monk, this version of WordPress comes with a number of neat new features beneficial to both overall organization and to customizable development.

A brief list of features I’m really excited about:

• New User Customizable Menu items (still needs work, but a great idea)
• Ability to associate an image thumbnail with a post or page (previously I had to write a hack in the theme to get this to work right). Users can even use existing images in their library.
• Ability to define background and header images so users can pick from a library of possibilities
• Developers now have the ability to create custom content types apart from the standard “page” or “post” common to existing WordPress versions. (Ex: I have a radio client who has content for their own business and separate content for radio shows. Now they can manage those entries in independent sections.)

In addition to the new features are the 1200+ updates and big fixes they’ve included in this update.

With great new features for both users and developers, WordPress continues to be my favourite framework for building classy, extensible websites that are mega-easy to use and update!

Center for Global Strategies

Another great collaboration between myself and my associates at Mindflint Media was launched today: the Center for Global Strategies. CGS is an organization focused on bringing tolerance, understanding, and proper global economies among different cultures specifically in Africa, East Asia and the Middle East.

This great organization contacted us for a custom design, animated slideshow and map of initiatives and integration into the WordPress content management system for easy updates and blogs entries.

Yet another slick site for another great cause- cheers guys!