With so much buzz around town about Anahita, its no wonder the whole city is suspended in anticipation of her arrival.

Photographers are checking the batteries of their cameras, businesses shutting down early, fans already lining the carpet to get a glimpse of this new up-and-coming star… the one who has already begun to capture the hearts of the Joomla and Open Source Communities.

So Ladies and Gentlemen, without any further adieu, I introduce to you Anahita…

Her Creators

For the past 18 months rmd Studio (Rastin Mehr – Lead Web Application Architect) and Peerglobe technology (Ash Sanieyan – Lead Web Application Architect) have been working around the clock in collaboration with Johan Janssens and Mathias Verraes (participating as Nooku MVC Framework consultants) from Joomlatools, to develop the ideal Open Source Social Web platform: Anahita Social Engine ™.

What is Anahita Social Engine ™?

Anahita Social Engine ™ is a light and scalable open source solution for building Social Networks, Intranets, and so many other types of social web experiences! Anahita is developed as Joomla 1.5 extensions, using the Nooku Framework.

Feature List

• Rich and Elegant User Profiles
• Flexible Social Graphing
• Intelligent Activity Updates
• Organic Privacy Manager
• Public Messaging
• Notifications and Requests
• Customizable look and feel
• Anahita Social™ Photos
• so much more »

F.A.Q.

One of the most frequently asked questions Rastin and Ash (creators) receive is if Anahita is yet another facebook cloner, to which they respond:

“Heaven no! facebook is one of the many types of social web species out there. Anahita Social Engine ™ is for developing social web projects of ALL kinds. If a facebook clone is what you want, you can have that too!”

View Anahita screen captures and see for yourself!

Anahita PowerPoint Presentation

Anahita Social ™ Partner’s Program

Are you a developer or do you operate a development company?

Would you like to have an early start in becoming familiar with the Anahita framework and API so that you can start developing your social web projects right away?

If so, I have great news for you!

Rastin and Ash have developed a partnership program which will enable you to experiment with the code, ask questions, and influence the future of project by providing feedback and suggestions for new features.

Benefits include Partner’s Privileges, Training, Support and Marketing, read more »

This is also an excellent opportunity for you to fund one of the most promising open source social engine projects existing today to all of us, which is brought to you by people who have years of experience in developing web applications and roots in the Open Source world and communities.

More Information

For more information on Anahita Social Engine ™, and the Anahita Social ™ Partner’s Program, visit Anahita ‘s official website at www.anahitapolis.com

I wish you a long, successful and beautiful career Anahita!

All the best to my friends and business associates Rastin and Ash as they take this amazing project to the Open Source community.

You’ve certainly offered us an invaluable resource, and more power to the people!

Thank you!

~

Technorati Tags: anahita social engine, anahita, social engine, social web, rastin mehr, rmdStudio, ash sanieyan, peerglobe

It is a lightweight, flexible and easy-to-use document manager that lets Joomla users to easily upload, manage and embed documents within their articles.

»» DOWNLOAD RUBBERDOC

RubberDoc summary

• Effortless document management. It’s very easy to create documents. Simply click on the new button and fill out the document details and then attach the document file and save.
• Categorize documents by assigning them to different Joomla categories.
• Protect the documents by assigning different access levels such as public, registered and special.
• Embed documents anywhere within the articles using the special tags {docs} doc-name-1,doc-name-2 {/docs} or embed all the documents belonging to one category by typing {docs category=”category-alias”}
• Create many documents at once by using the multiple file upload features.
• info on the latest release: RubberDoc v.0.9.5

RubberDoc

• Learn more about RubberDoc
• View RubberDoc screen shots
• Download RubberDoc
• Questions or feedback: please post at rmdStudio’s blog or PeerGlobe Technology
• Read previous support page

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Technorati Tags: rubberdoc, joomla, extension, document, asset management, content management, cms

OLD DESIGN

NEW DESIGN

WordPress 2.5 is not a required upgrade like the recent 2.3.3 urgent security release.

It is a newly designed, newly functioning WordPress CMS – redesigned from the ground-up. Features include a cool new admin interface, multi-file uploading, one-click plugin upgrades, built-in galleries, customizable dashboard, media library.

SNEAK PEAK

If you are curious to see what all the fuss is about, view screenshots of the new Admin Interface, new features, and watch a 4 minute screencast.

2.5 DOWNLOAD & UPGRADE

So, like the eager beaver that I am, I quickly downloaded WordPress 2.5 and upgraded my blog.

The upgrade process was as slick as its always been. I deleted the old files, uploaded the new ones, ran the upgrade.php and voila, I’m doing the happy dance!

2.5 PLUGIN COMPATIBILITY

WordPress 2.5 Plugin Compatibility List

Next I began testing the site for anything suspicious. Low and behold I discovered that one of my plugins is no longer working.

No suprise here. You can’t go and redesign a site from the ground up and expect all the previous versions of plugins to be compatible.

I’d been using Gregarious a social bookmarking plugin (DIGG etc.), but it is not compatible with 2.5, and support for it is limited if non-existant according to its developer: “Due to time constraints, I cannot guarantee support for this plugin. Not compatible with WP 2.5.”

The Dagon Design people (PHP Form Mailer) are also currently in the process of testing all of their scripts and plugins for 2.5 compatibility.

SimpleTags (Technorati) and Askimet (Spam Catcher) are both working fine.

2.5 THEME COMPATIBILITY

WordPress 2.5 Theme Compatibility List

Persons using the very popular K2 WordPress Theme will want to make note that older versions of K2 are not compatible with WordPress 2.5, although they are busy at work and made this K2 support announcement just over a week ago:

The revision currently in subversion should support WordPress 2.5, so if you’re in need of a new K2 for the latest WordPress release, go grab the latest nightly. Meanwhile, Steve is hard at work at putting together a new release, which is right around the corner.

The new Admin GUI is nice, and the new features are cool, but because there are still some compatibility issues (no fault of their own) I’d hold off upgrading your website if you have lots of vital plugins installed.

If you’re developing a new site or blog, go ahead and install WordPress 2.5 – just remember that some themes and plugins are not yet available.

Overall, for looks & functionality, JenTekk gives WordPress 2.5 a great big 2.5 thumbs up!

~

Technorati Tags: wordpress 2.5, wordpress, wordpress plugin compatibility, jentekk

A while back, I was hired by a company to assist them with their website. We sat down over a great cuppa java and hashed out a game plan for what was to be a relatively small job.

As per usual, I outlined all the project’s details in a Proposed Scope of Work, along with a quote and payment time-line. Company approved the details, appreciated the timely manner in which I would submit the deliverables, and cut me a cheque for the deposit.

As the project neared completion, the client began submitting requests to also “just add this” and “quickly do that”… all of which were not ‘quick/simple’ tasks, nor included in the agreed upon Scope of Work.

This scenario – commonly known as Scope Creep – is absolutely frustrating for all, and can be the death of a potentially great business relationship if not addressed early on.

Avoiding the Creep – is it possible?

Two of the major causes for Scope Creep are insufficient planning and communication.

Rushing into a project almost always leads to an oversight of website requirements, which then invariably creep up during the development phase.

As a Client and Web Developer, you want to do all you can to avoid Scope Creep. With that being said, and even after thorough planning, it can still rear its ugly head. So, with avoidance being somewhat beyond control what is one to do?

The solution is actually quite simple: expect the unexpected.

Prepare for the Creep!

Upon entering into any web development agreement, both the Client and Web Development company need to take a long hard look at the website’s needs: its objectives, functionality requirements, and future growth. No stone should be left unturned.

Before moving forward into a binding agreement, both Client and Web Company should discuss the Scope of Work to confirm a mutual understanding of the details, and that it addresses all the website’s needs as they understand them to be.

Finally, the Web Company needs to ensure the Client that while the project is under way, they are free to request additional work be done, but that there will be additional charges for any work rendered which is over and above the Scope of Work.

A Web Developer may wish to include the following terms in their web development agreement:

“…should the Client choose to make changes which are not covered by the Scope of Work, additional charges will apply at the Company’s labor rate of $XXX.XX/hour.”

Taming the Creep.

Sometimes even the best laid plans can give way to surprises. Trying to tackle scope creep without a game plan will lead to resentment and frustration for both the Web Developer and Client alike. Be prepared. If you are controlling it, it is not controlling you.

With the Web Developer and Client both understanding and respecting the terms set out to manage scope creep, a business relationship can begin to flourish where a website’s emerging and evolving needs are not a hindrance, but considered a natural part of the development process.

Technorati Tags: web development, website development process, scope of work, scope creep, jentekk

So… what did you do this weekend? Take a walk by the ocean? Eat at Pajo’s Fish and Chips? Maybe catch some rays at the top of your favorite ski hill? Before I tell you what I did, let me tell you why I did it…

Last week, I’d been notified that this very blog (running on WordPress Version 2.2.2) was being exploited, and that I needed to upgrade to the latest version.

Now you can guess what I did this weekend. I not only upgraded JenTekk Blog, but also 5 other WordPress websites to the newly released WordPress v. 2.3.3 ! Oh yeah, and then I made a bee-line to my favorite tanning salon!

That I can upgrade a WordPress website delights me. I am more the creative spirit. Sure, I occassionaly dabble with the more technical stuff, but usually leave that to my awesome business partner and friend Rastin Mehr of rmd Studio.

Hmmm… with that being said, I’m not so sure that upgrading a WordPress website really can be passed off as ‘technical’, but run with me on this will ya!

So, for those of you who are somewhat adventerous, and would also like to give it a whirl, here ya go!

How to upgrade your WordPress Website

• Download and Extract the latest version of WordPress files.
• Back-up your WordPress Database and WordPress Website Files. Verify that your back-ups are useable.
• Deactivate your WordPress Plugins, simply by clicking on the ‘Deactivate’ buttons in the Admin Panel – so easy!!
• Delete the Old WordPress Files
  You may want to be careful here! There are a half dozen files you definitely don’t want to delete, and doing so may lead you to hair pulling, that is until you realize you’ve backed them up and have no reason to see a shrink!
• Upload the New Files. This is where it starts to get really exciting. You’re coming down the home stretch at this point.
• Run the WordPress Upgrade Program.
  Okay, this is the good stuff. You’ve followed the instructions like a pro right?? Now its time to see what you’re made of.
  • first you type in the url to run upgrade.php and click “Go” on your browser
  • if all goes well you get a page that tells you your Database needs upgrading
  • click “Continue”, and you arrive at a page that says your Database is up to date,
  • finally click “Continue” to view your wordpress site. Its at this point, (with every upgrade), that I subconciously hold my breath, cross my fingers… and… bingo… just one more reason to go shopping!

I did it! 6 for 6 successful WordPress Website upgrades. And not because I am a technical wizard, but all because WordPress is simply that amazing.

After dancing around and kissing my 2 cats, I completed my installation by updating Permalinks and .htaccess, reactivating my plugins and checking to see if anything ‘broke’ in my WordPress sites, and there was nothing that I could see at this point. Will keep you in the loop!

While I sing the praises of Joomla quite openly, I must admit again that WordPress definitely has its place out there as a quality CMS for either blogs or basic websites.

Thank you to all the people at WordPress who keep on top of security updates, new features, and make it easy for gals like me to play the upgrade game!

Technorati Tags: WordPress Upgrade, WordPress, WordPress 2.3.3, CMS, blog, website, jentekk

WordPress however, is not limited to ‘rolling posts’. Incorporated into the WordPress software is the ability to create ‘pages’ thus allowing customers to use it as a simple website CMS (content management system) rather than a blog… or as both.

More and more small businesses today are looking for independence when it comes to their website, and the ability to create new pages and update content at their own convenience. The following two WordPress projects, recently designed and developed by JenTekk, do exactly this:

True North Recruitment – WordPress as a Website

True North Recruitment is an example of using WordPress as a Website – still in development:

Erin Ursel – WordPress as a Blog

And here is Erin Ursel’s site, using WordPress as a Blog:

As you can see, they both look like a standard professional website (Erin’s is populated with more content) however, each one is utilizing WordPress in a different way, based on their unique needs.

In addition, with WordPress you are not limited to using it one way or the other. You may take advantage of their ‘rolling archives’ for company news, while using ‘pages’ to offer information about your company, product, services and contact info.

With this recent trend and versatile marketing tool at our fingertips, an increasing number of website designers/developers now offer their clients WordPress as an effective alternative to a static website, or a more sophisticated CMS such as (open source) Joomla!

Consequently, I’ve incorporated WordPress website development & template design and Joomla! website development & template design to my service offerings.

Note: WordPress isn’t the answer for every one, but if you are wondering if a WordPress website may be the solution to your company’s website needs, feel free to contact me and we’ll talk about it… perhaps over coffee?!

~

Technorati Tags: wordpress, website, blog, wordpress template design, joomla template design, cms, open source, jentekk

Initial Consultation (s)

• Get a good feeling for if you’d like to work with this web development company. Just because you meet with them for an initial consultation doesn’t mean you are obligated to hire them.
• Discuss your marketing needs as determined through the ‘Website cost and pre-quote questions‘ discovery section.
• Ask questions, and also for recommendations and feedback on your marketing requirement needs and possible solutions.

Scope of Work, Quote and Payment Schedule

Assuming you are very confident and comfortable with the web design company you’ve chosen (see Choosing a website designer), you may wish to request a quote on the cost of your website’s development. Your quote will hinge on the details of your website’s scope of work.

1) Scope of Work
First you will need to nail down all of the details of your project. Never rush through this stage. You may wish to connect/communicate with your designer several times to be sure you are addressing all your website needs.

2) Quote
I recommend meeting with your designer to go over your quote, as often questions arise. This also provides an opportunity for both parties to confirm their understanding of the scope of work and each one’s responsibilities. Depending on the scope of work, you may be required to pay a fee for your quote, with the sum credited towards the cost of your project should you enter into an agreement.

3) Payment Schedule
At this stage you may also wish to ask about the company’s payment schedule. Many firms require a deposit upon entering into a formal agreement.

Design/Development Agreement

Once you are confident with the quote, and that you’ve addressed all your marketing needs, you may wish to indicate your desire to move ahead with the project as planned.

You will meet once again with your designer and both parties will sign a Website/Development Agreement.

At this stage you may be required to make an initial deposit. Often it is 50% of the project cost.

Domain Name Registration

If you’ve not already registered your domain name, here are a few things to consider:

• Decide if you should use a .com, .ca, .org, .net – or a few of these extensions.
• The shorter the domain name the better.
• If the domain name you wish to use is taken, brainstorm on a name that captures the essence of what you do, or who you are in 2 or 3 words
• Incorporate search engine keywords into your domain name if possible.

Note: Your website company may be able to give you some direction, if this is part of your scope of work agreement.

Hosting Company

You may want to begin shopping for a Hosting Company if you haven’t already done so. Things to consider beyond the price is the type of server used, space required, hosting features, and security (eComm). Your designer may be able to recommend one for your specific needs.

Content Submission

Before your designer is able to begin working on your site, you will need to submit all the content that you are responsible for, which may include logo files, photos, form information, product prices, web copy etc.

Website Mock-up & Preview

Once your designer has received the site’s content, he/she will draft up a mock-up for you to preview. At this stage you may discuss the style and changes required. Once the second mock up has been previewed and its design has been accepted your website designer will begin working hard on developing your website. You may be required to put a percentage of the website cost down at the website design acceptance stage.

Site Completion & Testing

Once your website is finished and initial testing results are successful, you will be asked to look it over. Small changes may be made to web copy at this stage. Upon completion of the work, you will sign off on the agreement, pay the balance owing, and release the site to be launched.

Site Launch & Final Testing

Congratulations — break out the champagne! Your designer will move your website from its development location to your public server folder. Final tests are made to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Maintainance

Have you ever found yourself on a website and noticed that it was out-dated? It feels like walking into a ghost town, abandoned and dusty. If you want your site to feel alive and relevant be sure that its content is always up-to-date.

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There you have it! In general, that is the process in a nutshell. I hope this will assist in making your website project development experience less intimidating and more enjoyable!