In order to generate more of a sense of community in the User Group, I started the Most Valuable Community Participant and Most Valuable Member program for the group. Basically members can get points for posting on the UG forums and participating in the community. The top three winners will win significant prizes.

So, where is everyone? No one goes to the forums, the last post was three weeks ago. Are forums dead for networking and communication? Is it because we're in the Inland Empire? I sure would like to know.

 

I've been doing a lot of Ajax and Javascript development lately. Recently I gave a presentation to the Inland Empire .NET User's Group on how I use my own libraries and JQuery to build my sites. You can download the slides and source code here. Look for "HomeGrownAjaxandJavascripting.zip"

Ricki, my brother-in-law has been staying with us for a month. He's a good guy, sometimes makes the wrong turn in life, but has a full heart and is pretty smart. He's decided to learn how web development so he can help us out with our sites. I have always felt that if a person can peck their way around a keyboard and has some basic common sense, they can learn to program. I have offered to teach people what I do, most jump at the chance, then fade away after a day or two.

Ricki is different. Like totally different. He is devouring the books I have given him, is always asking questions, building sample sites, soaking up CSS and HTML tags like a sponge and has pretty much mastered getting around in Visual Web Developer Express. He's even jumped feet first into Photoshop and is getting the knack of that.

He has the ambition, the courage to learn something new and confusing, and the same "stick to it until you get it right" attitdue that both Carmina and I have.

I am so damn proud of my cunado (Spanish for brother-in-law). He's gonna make it.

It's been a fast year. Carmina and I have just finished up our 20th site, and more are in the pipline. The last three weeks we've pumped out 10 sites. What have I learned about all this?

1. CSS is my friend. At first I couldn't get my head wrapped around it, but now I'm a convert.
2. Be as simple as you can, while still putting that "sparkle" on a project
3. Don't let my ego get in the way. Carmina is the one who talks with the clients, knows what they want and like, even if its a mint green background with yellow borders. The customer is king.
4. Use GoDaddy for the brochure sites
5. Pace yourself. Don't try to do it all in an evening, spend time to learn new things, sharpen the saw
6. Most importantly, have a great partner by your side, who appreciates what you're doing.