amplizine.com

I got something to say. Just wanted to keep you up-to-date on where we are at. We are doing some things behind the scenes, LilPickle is systematically adding all the old site content to our new system, and I am preparing to split off into a new direction with the site.

Speaking of new directions, I have a couple things planned. The first thing I want to do is get back to releasing XHTML+CSS templates like the ones you can find on Open Designs. The image to your left is an example of that. It is a mockup I was doing for a potential client who didn’t agree with the way I was charging them. I believe for any type of design work the designer should be paid up front. I always ask for 50% of the estimate, but I know some people ask for 70% or more. This potential client didn’t believe this to be fair and wanted me to do the full design before any payment. I didn’t always charge a retainer fee up front, but I do now because I have been burned. I saw this client doing the same thing. Wait until I devote the full amount of time to the project (not just a website design, but coding a custom CMS also), then decide to go a different way. It doesn’t cost them a thing, but I’m out anywhere from 50 to 100 hours worth of wages.

But I digress, this image is just a photoshop mockup of a design I was working on. Since I have no financial gain from it anymore, I’m planning on releasing to the public. I want the template to be a full design before I’m releasing, but I thought I would give you a sneak peak.

First template on Amplizine, Almost

Anyways, releasing XHTML templates is one of the things I want to do with on amplizine. Another thing I would like to do is write some tutorials and release some coding projects. One project I have in mind is a simple php gallery script, possibly using XML. I know there are a million out there right now, but it is just something I wanted to do. Another project I have in mind is a type of genealogy CMS. I’ve only recently lost all my grandparents and I realized a link to my past [ha ha, Zelda] is lost. I want to invest more of my time researching my genealogy.

My initial research was looking into what was available online so my siblings and cousins could also help. There are some good sites out there, but you are stuck viewing the information how they want you to. I want to create something that will allow a person/family to host their genealogy on their own site and have control over how it will look. In other words, the CMS should be easy to theme.

Through my initial research, I also realized I would need help coding this CMS. So, if there are any PHP gurus out there who would like to help, let me know by leaving a comment. BTW, I plan on releasing it for free.