The Big Kick

So, I've finally done it. I moved web hosts, did a total site redesign, implemented new features and kicked Wordpress all in about two weeks. Whew!

So, I've finally done it.

I moved web hosts (now on a Media Temple DV box), did a total site redesign and kicked Wordpress for Expression Engine and it only took me two weeks.

Surprising. Really, really surprising...usually it takes 6 months before I make up my mind on a design for a personal project.

At any rate, here are a few of the new features on grantmx version 4:

A 960 Grid Systematic Design - I took a lot of time implementing the 960 Grid on this site and I think the benefits were substantial.
New Feature: Ephemeral Noteage - Little ephemeral tid bits of information and things I find on the internet, which are interesting to note, that I want to share with you.
RSS Feeds - Added RSS feeds to my notebook, photos, ephemeral noteage and portfolio. I didn't realize I didn't put them up on the last site. My bad guys.
Updated Portfolio - mostly 2007-2008 Expression Engine based projects
Updated Photo Gallery - Using Slide Show Pro (trying to get SSP Director to work so I can put more pics up)
Redesigned Contact Form
jQuery AJAX Comment Form - add a comment and watch it do it's stuff.

Check it out, click around and If you see something wrong, a typo or a bad link please let me know.

Filed in: Business Technology | Posted on: October 06, 2008 | (10) Comments → Add yours

Jonathan Longnecker
October 10, 2008

Love the new look…not that I really saw the old look, but still :) Keep it up, man.

Marshall Grant
October 10, 2008

Too funny! I may post a screenshot in the near future of my old sites. It’s wild looking back at all of your old stuff.

N. Haran
October 13, 2008

Cool stuff.

Douglas S
October 14, 2008

Anything that has to do with jQuery is something I have to try. Nice implementation!

Marshall Grant
October 14, 2008

Definitely. I used the jQuery Thickbox Ajax call and EE’s comment form to make this comment pop-up. It was pretty straight forward.

Deron Sizemore
October 14, 2008

Great looking redesign! Loving the comments and the 960 grid implementation! I’m looking at the 960 grid right now for a new site. Keep up the good work.

taufiq
October 21, 2008

so coll,
did u have information about ajax comment form plugin for ee? thanks,
love this design

Marshall Grant
October 21, 2008

@taufiq - It’s not really a plugin to EE, but it’s a plugin to jQuery called Thickbox. I just used the EE comment form and called it using the inline call for Thickbox.

I think I’ll do a simple tutorial on how I did it, if you guys want.

E-man
October 23, 2008

Nice work, Grant! I like dark sites and the grid layout, typography and overall look is very clean and professional. Kudos!

Marshall Grant
October 23, 2008

Thanks E. I hope you know that you’re the fella’ that got me hip to jQuery. It’s amazing what the EE forums can do, eh?