So you want to know about the technology, scripts, and everything else that makes sleepingcat.com tick? Well, I'll be happy to brag..... ;-) The (Re)Design The redesign happened for a few reasons; mostly, I am just not a sherbert and turquoise sort of person, and I wanted something a little more 'hip'. I wanted something that could more easily have new things added to it with a different look and feel, without losing the unified site. So reflecting that, I moved over to jewel-colours and a simpler design that allows for more flexibility, and, while I was at it, I added more features; the search function, the insulter, etc. As soon as my hosting service figures out why server side includes aren't working, it'll get even more interesting. ;-) HTML Stuff Tools HTML My HTML is entirely generated by hand, using Pagespinner, which I consider the premier Mac editing software package if you can't stand anything between you and the HTML. I was doing everything in Simpletext until the middle of last year, but I really wanted something that would let me view my work with a button click (rather than saving the file, opening the file, etc.) Pagespinner provides that, plus a very nice floating palette that automates almost all of your HTML making if you want to, but doesn't get in the way when you need to get your hands dirty. Images In contrast to the simplicity that I want when it comes to my editor, for image editting, I want the biggest, meanest, fanciest package out on the market. So I use the mother of all image programs, Adobe Photoshop. I know, it's hard to learn to use at first, but the sheer power of it after that first steep learning curve is not to be believed. I use Eye Candy filters in conjunction with the program for neat graphic effects that take too long to do by hand. CGI/Scripting Stuff The Search Function The search function was originally from Matt's Archive. However, it didn't have the functionality I needed; I needed somthing with a seamless appearance with my web site, and I needed to allow people to search different parts of the site. I modified it to generate results that fit with my site's appearance, and added more functionality to the results. The Dinner Puzzle The dinner puzzle was the result of me seeing that people wanted to see functioning javascript within my pages to be sure that I could do javascript; both the fancy little things and the form field validation. The problem is I don't believe in putting stuff on your site just because it's the fanciest, flashiest thing around. So I came up with this; while it is a 'fun' sort of thing, it's designed the way it is to provide the most information in the smallest area, look good, and give quick feedback on your solutions. The Shakespearean Insulter Based on a collection of words collected by Jerry Maguire (yeah, I know), an Illinois high school teacher, the insulter was my little attempt to make Valentine's Day, 1998, just a little happier. It uses perl both to generate the pages and to insult you. Other Tools Organizations I joined the Triangle Area chapter of Webgrrls in mid-1996 because I wanted to talk with other women who were involved in technology. More than just a networking group, Trianglewebgrrls has provided me with job leads, friends, and a great technical support group. I have been a member of the HTML Writers Guild since 1996. I find their mailing lists to be informative, and they provide a lot of good, relevant information.

all images and content © 1996, 1997, 1998, sleeping cat.