Voyages.Net
Project Overview
Basis
Voyages.Net uses Gossamer Threads (GT) GLinks, which is a yahoo type directory system as can be seen here on the right. Having worked with it previously I knew the potential for the system was enormous. The aim was to use GLinks as a Content Management System (CMS) and this was a success. There was a considerable amount of customisation required in different areas but each part was accomplished through detailed specifications that were reviewed by GT. GT were a great help and support throughout the project. This was only the technical and functional aspect of the project. It was important to provide Voyages.Net (voyages means travelling in French) with an appropriate design. The overall project took me nearly two years to accomplish. Some of the plugins used in this project are now on sale for GLinks user to buy and are presented here.
Design
Designing was commenced using HTML and during the project transitioned to XHTML and CSS. The aim of the design itself (regardless of the content) was to be colourful, fresh and motivate visitors to travel after visiting. A second and just as important factor was to provide a clean and simple presentation with pages and content that breathe (i.e. not cluttered with information). Animated gifs and JavaScript is used in certain places rather than Flash. You can take a further and closer look at the designing process involved with Voyages.Net in the online portfolio section.
Marketing
From a marketing and brand perspective two projects were launched. The first was a Voyages.Net shop that allows visitors to buy T-Shirts, caps, Polos, bags, umbrellas... that I designed using vector based logos presented here.
The second was a screensaver using members’ travel photos, with the ability to play music and requiring a member code to get rid of messages to become a member (to incite people to become members). You can get a feel for the screensaver without needing to download it by looking at this presentation of the photos used.
Support
In order to provide support for members or future members Flash video based tutorials provide a step by step process of creating a membership account for example. The tutorial is a video with spoken and screen indications of what steps to follow and links to the appropriate pages on the voyages.net web site. You can take a look at the tutorial here (and hear me speaking in French). A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) system was created with answers added continually to help alleviate Email support questions.
Technical
The site is hosted by Gossamer Threads on a dedicated server. The server uses Apache configured for mod_perl and uses extensive mod_rewrite rules. The whole site is dynamically generated using a MySQL database and GLinks. A customised user back-end system allows authors to add articles to the database vis forms as can be seen here. All pages are generated using a site-wide template set that relies upon perl coded 'globals' or plug-ins (perl routines). For example the contact page that sends messages to members without revealing their addresses, uses routines to check input data before sending it. Nearly all the site uses XHTML Strict 1.0 and CSS. Page headers are randomly generated by a PHP script. Support is provided for creating an account via a Flash video.
Project Details
Technologies Involved
- XHTML 1.0 Strict, W3C Validated
- CSS 1 & 2, W3C Validated
- Site and user specific RSS Feeds (XML), validated
- DHTML/JavaScript + AJAX
- Apache server and MySQL
- Multiple mod_rewrite server based rules
- Perl (strict) running under mod_perl
- DNS forwarding and funnelling (ethical: protective)
- Flash based video tutorials
- User configurable travel photos screensaver
- Rebranded external API system for branded objects
- PHP (for rotating page headers)
Software Used
- UltraEdit (for hand coding templates and Perl modifications)
- Dreamweaver (sometimes used for more basic coding)
- Photoshop
- Flash and Camtasia
- Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Acrobat for specs
- MS Project for basic Project Management