New Client Spotlight - Geek Armory

Welcome to the web - Geek Armory! This is your one-stop shop for movie prop replicas, video game replicas, swords and sabers, armor, costumes and more for the hobbyist and enthusiast who loves movies, video games and the world of science fiction and fantasy!

Jon, owner of Geek Armory, had been a video game producer and designer for the past seven years, working on everything from snowboarding games (Amped 3 on Xbox 360) to golf games (Tiger Woods 08 for the Wii) to the Rock Band series.

As long as he'd been doing games, he hadn't had the chance to work on his favorite genre, RPG's (Role Playing Games - and MY favorite genre too - I'm a HUGE World Of Warcraft, fan ya know...) Merging his love of RPG's with the real world tangibility of prop replicas gave him the idea to create the ultimate place on the web to find everything that's out there, from Buck Rogers ray guns to Zelda swords and Iron Man helmets.

For the true enthusiast - it really helps make the fantasy worlds created in games and movies become a little more real.

Jon's personal favorite movie series is the Lord of the Rings (and, I should mention, I'm a huge Legolas lover...) and Blade Runner. His favorite games are the Fallout and Elder Scrolls series.

Right now, his current inventory is growing - but there's tons of great accessories for the movie and game lover. Right now, his favorite offering is Link's wooden sword from the Legend of Zelda.

Happy collecting, shopping, movie watching and gaming to all of us out there who love the imaginative worlds of fantasy and of science fiction.

Webdesign In The Eye Of The Beholder

Have you ever thought, “That’s the ugliest, most confusing web site I’ve seen to date...” and just couldn’t hit the exit button fast enough? Thinking to yourself – “Ugly…Ugly…Ugly - those colors are awful, and that music didn’t make it any better, what were they thinking when they created this?” Sure you have. One has to wonder if the web designer is creating the site design based on their client’s preferences on color, style, and content – or if the web designer is just not using instinct and experience on what will work for a web site depending on it’s audience, and needed functionality. If it’s the first case scenario, then the old saying “the customer is always right” should not apply to web design!

Leaving some of the design to the professionals (based on your inspiration and style, of course...) can result in more targeted traffic, and wider exposure and hopefully ‘actionable’ items – that is, graphics and keywords to entice your clients to CLICK around, and BUY your things! The pros have the insight and imagination to create a web site that showcases your particular product or service – and hopefully from your online buyer’s point of view.

It’s always good to keep your viewer’s interest, entertain them a bit – and lure them into wanting to know and see more of your web site. And as always - navigation should be clear and consistent; user friendly and ‘brain pleasing’. We please the brain by not making it do too much work. 'Effortless' is a good word here...

Designers listen to and work with their clients to produce a website that is pleasing to them (as site owners) and looks how they envisioned; but in turn – clients of web design services need to remember to trust in their designer’s suggestions and their talent & experience for being able to see the overall picture.

Of course, not every suggestion or idea is going to be accepted or workable – we know this. However, there are some of us out there who are truly interested in helping your company be a success on the internet – and we don’t just say things to complicate the process, rather, we hope that we’re sharing valuable information with you that will help you have more success on the growing and changing internet.

And - we don't know everything there is to know about your product or service. We NEED your input and feedback along the way to get to a design that works for you (and for your audience!) - and produces good results where accessiblity, functionality and overall look and feel are concerned.

Just like art – web design is subjective. What we like as individuals is not always as pleasing to our neighbor’s eyes, and when you are on stage to the whole world (wide web) don’t you want to put your best foot forward?

So, keep an open mind with your next web design project, and find a designer (hopefully US!) who will work with you to achieve your goals, see your vision and keep your audience interested!

Posh Puppy Boutique Featured On Good Day Sacramento

Our client, Posh Puppy Boutique was featured on Good Day Sacramento - They've opened a new store in the mall and are selling MAJOR puppy apparel, treats, toys, bowls, designer pet collars and leashes and more from there new storefront. If you're in the Sacramento area, check them out! Or, if you're looking for high-end dog apparel and great brands featured in this piece, such as Juicy Couture for Dogs, Linda Higgins Couture and more - you can visit them online. Watch the video below for more information and a doggie-fashion show! Congratulations to Posh Puppy Boutique on some great exposure!

Where the DAWGS go....

If you have the chance to visit Athens, Georgia take a walk down Clayton Street. There are many little eateries and stores there, but one sticks out historically ~ George Dean's Menswear Store. This great little old store sells traditional fine menswear and has been around over 40 years and just a rock's throw from the University of Georgia.

George-Dean's carries great brands such a Lacoste, Johnston and Murphy, Haspel and Southwick and is known all of Athens for their signature

Georgia Bulldog knit shirt and Georgia Stadium Shorts.

George Dean's has wonderful customer service and a warm and inviting spirit, don't believe me?........give Wayne a call, you will see.

We are so glad to have had the chance to be a part of history for the wonderful menswear store and for downtown Athens, Georgia by being a part of building a great site for:

www.george-deans.com!

Welcome TINY DIMPLES

What a beautiful design - and what a fun store! It's EVERYTHING BABY at Tiny Dimples. Whether you need a car seat cover, baby apparel, or safe toys - even nursery decor and bedding - Tiny Dimples has it. If you're having a baby, or know someone who is - they've got what you need for the perfect baby gift.

This was a great client, who knew what she wanted - and the site turned out great in my opinion. She's got a knack for carrying the right products, organized them properly, and also displayed them with a common theme and branding throughout the site. The site is usable, easy on the eyes, and packed of products to choose from.

Speaking of babies......

It hasn't been too long since I had my first baby, he'll be three September 1st. We just had a positive experience getting off the pacifier that I'd like to share with you guys - (if you're interested in something off the beaten path of websites and such.)





He'd had it the entire time - that is, the pacifier. The pacie, as he called it was a staple of all events - eating, sleeping, car, school. He was attached. Any mom whose kiddo is on the pacifier kinows this is a tough habit to break. Everyone said to try and cut off the end - that didn't work. Others said to try dipping it in vinegar or hot sauce. Now my kid loves salsa. (hot salsa too.)

He'd gotten pretty good about giving it up during the day, but night time was terrible - and the pacie was a must to get him to sleep and keep him that way.

One morning - right before his typical time to wake up - I looked at him as he slept. I thought to myself, "wouldn't it be great to lose this pacifier today?"

So, I reached down and unplugged it from my child while he was asleep. Just like that. Threw it in the garbage.

Then, I grabbed a prize, and ran back in to him.

A few moments later, he was waking up - and I was THERE. Of course, little hands feeling around for his small rubbery friend that was now in the kitchen trash can.

When he opened his eyes and began to ask me, I cut him off and said (loudly and excitedly) "WOW - You didn't have the pacie ALL NIGHT! What a BIG BOY! You get a surprise today for NOT having the pacie all night!" and I presented him with a dollar-store book.

He was a bit confused, but happy to get a surprise nonetheless, and when I just kept on about what a big boy he was - making a HUGE deal of the occassion, (calling in Dad to woo him on the event, calling the Gaga to tell her, and Aunt Kimmy) - he smiled and looked a little proud.

I told him that each night he went without it we'd give him another surprise in the morning.

This went on for about a week. Seven dollars later - we're paci-free.

Enjoy your babies, your blogs, and your websites - until next time!

Seriously - Why Are You A Table Hater?

I still use them. A lot. In fact, most of the time.

I really want to know what the big problem with HTML tables REALLY is - so this is the first time I'm ASKING for you to comment here. I just want some feedback and opinions from you guys out there - but if you're going to call me an HTML-Loser or scold me for utilizing HTML tables still - just know - I'll NOT PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT!! So, be nice and helpful, please. :)

OK, so onto the discussion going on in my brain.

Yeah, yeah... I know - a pure CSS layout that's totally fluid, accessible, W3C Valid, splash page-free, hydromatic & systematic, turbo-fueled, vegan, eco-friendly and sugar-free website is all the rage... But SERIOUSLY - are tables REALLY that bad?

I think there's some great things about tables.

For starters - I feel like I have absolutely more design control over tables. I set the size, and right from the start - I know EXACTLY how large my accompanying graphics should be. I find with design work for Volusion E-Commerce, I prefer customizing a fixed-width table template rather than the fluid ones. The main reason for this, is that once the 'core design' is in place, the client or store owner almost always wants a main page graphic that is either in Flash, or clickable to different areas of the site (for example - we did this on the Medical Department Store, and Mom's Gift Shop - if you view the front pages, you'll see heavily graphic landing areas). If these were fluid layouts - then our static graphics would be dwarfed in large browsers. Am I wrong? Is there something I'm missing here?

How do you guys that create fluid 100% width websites manage to have center front page content or design elements that 'fit' well in 'most' browsers and screen resolutions?

Am I just a control freak? Is it that tables are just plain easier to create and work with?

OK, so now you're saying - "just build your site in fixed width DIVs if you want fixed width..."

BUT WHY? Or, I should say - WHY NOT just do it with tables? What's so wrong with tables?

Maybe it's my brain, or maybe it's just that I stick with how I learned - but tables click in my brain better than divs. They always have. Maybe it's just that I am stuck on tables.

Maybe there is a 12-step Get-Away-From-HTML-Tables program I need to start.

Are there any of you like me out there? Or am I totally alone? Offer feedback, just don't hurt my feelings, OK?

Don't get me wrong: I use divs all the time - and use them WITH tables. I have a few sites that are table-less, and honestly, I'm no more proud of them than I am the ones that are table-ridden.

I'm not a table hater. I'm still a lover.

New E-Commerce Websites And Designs

Welcoming two new e-commerce designs to the internet: Mountain Mama's Soy Candles in a Can - and Nothing But Chocolate!

Mountain Mama's Kitchen creates YUMMY soy candles in-a-can featuring Hand-poured, cotton wick, lead-free DOUBLE scented candles! With fascinatingly creative titles - such as Elk-Poop In A Can (which is really chocolate Biscotti) and Trailer Trash In-A-Can - you can't go wrong with these for your own personal stash of good-smelling things, or for a great gift.





Also welcoming Nothing But Chocolate - and their name leaves NOTHING But CRAVINGS to the imagination. Each order produced in small batches - hand made fresh for each order. Perfect for special occasions such as weddings, baby showers, holiday events and more - The owners of Nothing But Chocolate will work with you one-on-one to create the perfect sweet nothings for your event or taste, and they make a great party favor.



Once again - I have to say - we're so pleased to be able to help small businesses (and large ones too!) bring their vision online. With E-Commerce template designs, in so many cases - we find that store owners don't feel that their 'personality' and vision come through in their design. We try really hard to see your vision, and make it come to life online.

Welcome to the web to all the new clients we're working on - and may your new store flourish - we know you'll both do great!

Why not feel like a “super-hero”?

Kari and Company recently had the wonderful opportunity to work with a new company selling hot and cool product: FLY JUMPERS!

Fly Jumper Canada is an authorized reseller for the Fly Jumper brand of jumping stilts and accessories in Canada.

We didn't know it - but the claim is that you can you jump six feet in the air and run almost twenty miles per hour wearing jumping stilts! Surely, by now you have heard of them (or if you've seen "Jackass" the Movie...) and if you haven’t - welcome to the world of a new and exciting way to exercise and have fun all at the same time! This Canadian based company is also trying to develop and inform people of the sport of Powerbocking.

Some describe Fly Jumper Stilts as “spring loaded jumping boots” or “jumping stilts”. You can purchase different ones for your weight and also get one for your kiddo! Kids as young as 10 years old are also enjoying the Fly Jumper fun. Families are improving their fitness level together, having fun instead of watching TV all day and playing video games!

This looks like great fun for the family and is very affordable.

Kari and Company is pleased to have had the opportunity to help them with their e-commerce template design.