Regina Thurston

Warehousing on Demand

Regina Thurston — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:00:00 GMT

I designed a website for Warehousing on Demand, a company that offers inventory fulfillment and management based on just-in-time operatonal principles.

www.warehousingondemand.com

Teaching a Tax Class

Regina Thurston — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2010 we will be teaching a tax class at a church in Detroit. We will provide blank 1040 forms and blank W-2 forms and explain how to complete the 1040 form. Students should bring a calculator and pen/pencil as well as their tax documents. Students, if they so choose, can preare their own taxes in classes and then mail them off to the IRS. We will also answer specific questions.

To register for the class, call us at (248) 506-6750 or send us an e-mail indicating your intent to attend and what else you would like to cover.

Free E-filing

Nikki's Ginger Tea

Regina Thurston — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:00:00 GMT

Nikki's Ginger Tea is one of my neighbors at Russell Street Bazaar. Turns our that Nikki and I have a lot in common and can use each other's products, services, knowledge base and skills. When Nikki found out that I can design websites, Nikki's daughter said "we need help".

Nikki wants to promote her goods and services in as many ways as possible. Her immediate desire is to sell Nikki's Ginger Tea online. Thus the creation of http://www.nikkisgingerstea.com/.

Russell Street Bazaar

Regina Thurston — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:54:00 GMT

On Monday, December 28, 2009 I will open a booth at Russell Street Bazaar. I will sell web design services and excess fragrance inventory from What are you Wearing. Also launching a new fragrance: Russell for Her.

http://russellbazaar.com/?id=directions
Hope to see you there!

Google Bookmarks

Regina Thurston — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:22:00 GMT

Google Bookmarks is a web-based application that lets you save shortcuts to your favorite webpages online. Unlike browser bookmarks that are stored on a single computer, Google bookmarks are stored in your Google Account. This means you can access them from any computer with an internet connection .

I use different computers for different reasons and each of them have their own set of web browsers and their own set of favorites. Without Google Bookmarks, I have to export my favorites from each computer to my flash drive and them make sure I have the flash drive with me.

I do that anyway but with Google Bookmarks, I have an online backup of my favorites which would have come in handy when my web design notebook was stolen last year.

Reference: http://bookmarks.google.com

Google Voice

Regina Thurston — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:10:00 GMT

Yet another Google product. No, I don't work for Google and I don't own any Google stock (yet). Google just happens to be a company with a lot of useful products. I don't know why there are free and when that will change, but when it does, certain products I would probably pay for its use.

Having said that...

Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all your phones, saves your voicemail online, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they are being left and the ability to make low cost international calls. You can record custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers by marking them as spam.

At a minimum, Google Voice allows you to give one telephone number to your callers and have that one number router to wherever you are.

Example #1: You live in two states and have two sets of callers who don't dial outside of their state.

Soultion: Assuming you have a land or cell line with the area code of state A, get a Google voice number with the area code of state B and give that number to those who live in state B. Program your Google voice number to forward the calls from state B to the physical phone you use which might have the area code of state A, which is irrevelant to the caller because he/she has a local number to reach you. When you make a call, you can either dial from the physical phone (state A) or the Google phone (state .

Example #2: You have a work cell phone and a personal cell phone.

Solution:
1. Carry the phone that has the best reception and coverage and the most anytime minutes. Leave the other phone at home, so you minimize the risk of losng it.

2. Let's assume that your work phone meets this criteria and your personal phone has limited minutes. Increase your personal minutes by using Google Voice. Give your personal callers the Google Voice number and don't give out your personal cell phone number anymore.

3. Call forward your personal cell phone to the Google voice number, which in turn redirects the calls to the physical phone (the work phone).

4. Yes call forwarding your personal number will use a minute of time, but you decide whether to answer the call on your or have Google voice number leave a caller specific message.

5. You can choose not to call forward your personal number and simply check for personal messages using either your Google voice number or your work phone.

Reference: http://voice.google.com

Google Sites

Regina Thurston — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:16:00 GMT

This is a web-based application that allows you to create websites. Youcan create more than one and select from a variety of templates (colorchoices) and layouts (column placement).

You can also re-direct your domain name to the Google site.

Unlike most free applications, it has no banner ads and no pop-up windows.

Since you don't have full access to the programming code and some tagsmay not be suppoted, if you can live with the design limitations, thisis actually a good product.

My Site: http://sites.google.com/site/thurstononline
About Google Sites: http://sites.google.com

Google Profiles

Regina Thurston — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:13:00 GMT

I came across a Google application that increases your visibility onthe internet. Since this is what I help other people do, I created aprofile for myself.

http://www.google.com/profiles/102679527917132559659

Online Resumes

Regina Thurston — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:04:00 GMT

About a year ago I wrote an article on how to choose a blog product. I was helping a good friend of mind decide which blog tool to use to promote his job hunting efforts and resumes. He has since discovered a resource called Visual CV that exactly meets his need.

Visual CV is an advanced resume website. You can keep and update your resume online and share it with whomever. You can have more than one, control who sees what and view statistics. If you have multiple resumes, only one can be marked as viewable by everyone; the others are viewable by those who receive an e-mail with a private link.

Although I have resumes online with CareerBuilder and Yahoo HotJobs, I like Visual CV better because it supports portfolios and multimedia. It even has a feature to convert your resume to a downloadable PDF, a feature I have not seen on any other resume site. And did I mention that this is a free service, without an obtrusive banner over your resume.

I plan to make this my primary online resume service.

How Dare They Raise My Rate!

Regina Thurston — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:15:00 GMT

A few hours ago I opened my mail and read that Capital One was raising my interest rate from a fixed rate of 9.9% for purchases and cash to a variable rate of prime plus 14.65% for purchases and even ridiculously higher rate for cash. My credit score is in the high 700's.

I have a zero balance and a credit limit limit of $8,300. I haven't used the card in a while but had a 0% transfer balance and paid it off two weeks ago. I was going to call them and give them a piece of mind, but I read articles online that states this is par for the course for this particular lender.

The article below was written on 2/25/2009 - today.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/02/cap_one_revolt.html

The article below was written on 2/23/2009 - two days ago.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/personal-finance/credit-card-companies-raising-rates-consumers

The article below was written on 2/21/2009.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29320523/

The article below was written in 11/2008
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2008-11-09-bank-credit-card-interest-rates_N.htm

My first response, without thinking: "I'll show them". However the more rational response is to analyze how closing the account will affect my credit score. I can get a credit increase of $8,300 from one of my other creditors, which would balance out my percentages if I should close the account. Before I close the account, I have to re-calculate my average credit history length to make sure that this number is not greatly decreased.

I could also just leave the account open, not use the card and continue to let others know how unfair this company has treated me as well as others. The link below is a forum where others are reporting similar experiences. In some cases, people give "food for thought" on possible courses of action.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=creditcard&thread.id=147866
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/wan/1040735409.html (another consumer with forum)

Can you Create Your Own Website?

Regina Thurston — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:00 GMT

In the words of President Obama, YES YOU CAN.

Even if you are not a professional web designer, you can create a website, given the right resource and knowledge base.

Ten years ago, when I first developed an interest in web design and I told a good friend that I was learning how to do this, her response was "My son learned how to do that. He took a class at camp." Her son was all of 12 years old.

I soon learned that everyone thought web design was no big deal because every other teenager had some level of skill to do this.

Over time I learned that the skill level was tool and template driven but beyond clicking through a template and dragging and dropping, the web design skill ends there.

I learned web design through reverse engineering, followed by formal study of HTML tags, seasoned with courses at New Horizons. And because I am by nature a business consultant, I look at the business purpose of a website and ask how the website can meet the goals of a company or individual.

I recently read an ad on Craigslist where someone wanted training in Dreamweaver CS3 in exchange for training or design in Photoshop CS3. I think this was posted by the same person who initially was willing to pay for the service. The original posting was Teach me How to Create a Website.

I called the person and was told that he wanted to learn in a day. I said that this was not really possible, because there is more to the process than you think.

My approach is not just - let me show you how Dreamweaver works and once you know that, you're set. You can learn Dreamweaver with a good video tutorial. But to learn web design, you need to understand the process.

Below is the outline I would have presented, had the person kept his appointment. Note that part 1 addresses the basic request (teach me how to create a website). Implied in this process is a one page website. A multiple page website should probably use cascading style sheets (CSS), which is different than HTML but goes hand-in-hand with it. Also note that parts 2 and 3 breath life to the website and part 4 sustains it.

Part #1: Creation

Find a simple to intermediate site (no Flash, minimum Javascript, php, ASP)
Look at the physical layout and graphics and explain how they were done
Look at the word placement
Look at the features included and explain how they were done
Look at the source code
Explain the HTML code and provide references
Find a Dreamweaver template that resembles step #2
Find existing graphics (Photoshop is a whole another lesson)
Modify the HTML code

Part #2: Posting

Buy a domain name
Buy web hosting space
Upload the files to the web server
View the website in different browsers

Internet Explorer
Firefox
Opera
Safari

Modify the code if it doesn't display in these browsers
Run an HTML/CSS validator

Part #3: Marketing

Devise a plan to get web traffic

Blogging
Affiliates
Social Networking
Google Adwords
Directories (paid)
Link exchange

Part #4: Maintenance

Learn CSS
Learn PhotoShop
Learn PHP and ASP
Learn Flash and ActionScript
Keep current

Clients Who Change Their Minds

Regina Thurston — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

I've been designing websites since 1999 and yet 2008 seems to be the year that I've had to deal with clients who change their minds - after a legally binding contract is signed and the work is completed.

My latest client, who lets me know that she does read this blog, is simply a client who cannot be pleased. We had an agreement to re-design her site with a content management system (CMS) and an e-commerce database that would allow updates to her various products. As is standard practice, she paid 50% upfront and a balance of 50% is due upon completion. The project was completed on schedule but she wasn't satisfied because the layout was different.

I explained to her the trade-offs of a CMS and a fixed layout. The explanation was to no avail and she e-mailed me a PDF of the layout she wanted. I reviewed it and agreed to do re-do the site in a different content managent system using the layout she designed. Before I could implement the new CMS, she decided that she didn't want that either.

The new CMS would have given her the complete control she wanted; however, she would have to learm some HTML to manage the site. The original solution did not require knowledge of HTML and the products would be managed through a database.

Nevertheless, in an effort to please this client, I agreed to modify her existing product page. This too posed stumbling blocks because although I corrrected the product alignment, text wrappping, and Add To Cart placement issues, the client was not satisifed . I changed the width of the products and explainded that this was to give unformity to the sizing and placement of all products. Lastly, she complained that the layout did not have grid lines. The grid lines were removed to be uniform with the other product pages that had no gridlines.

The client, still unpleased, ask what was fair at this point. She felt that she had paid money for services that did not meet her needs. I felt that I met the terms of the original agreement and have been quite tolerant of the additonal changes knowing that I would not receive the remainining 50% due since she is not pleased.

Then the client then asks for meta tags. This was the first time this topic came up and was never included in the original agreement. Although I agreed to do this, now I've changed my mind.

Using Technology to Collect Payments

Regina Thurston — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:00:00 GMT

I recently worked on a small website projects that required some text changes and a change to a music player. The project fee was a nominal amount, which I didn't mind especially since the website promotes the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, when the site owner went to make the electronic payment, she actually wanted to pay more than the amount stated on the invoice, but couldn't because it was pre-programmed with the agreed-upon amount. This experience has sent prompted me to design a Send Payments page. Currently it uses PayPal, but will be updated to accept payments via Google Checkout.

The Grand Opening of What are You Wearing

Regina Thurston — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:00:00 GMT

I'm excited about taking a venture to a new level. In 2004, I started a fragrance company and named it What are You Wearing. My supportive, loving and entrepreneurial fiance-to-be encouraged me to open a bricks and mortar store in a neighborhood not too far from where he lives. We went to the site, checked out our competition and said, hey we can do this. Thus, the grand opening of What are You Wearing is Friday, October 31, 2008.

Visit the website for more details.

Poppers World

Regina Thurston — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

I had the very distinct pleasure of meeting the President of Poppers World, Inc. We discussed strategies for promoting his product. We're starting with You Tube and MySpace and will engage in a link exchange campaign with various websites catering to sport enthusiasts, basketball in particular.

I am a consultant at heart and enjoy adding a business value to my technology projects. Sure, I was contacted to optimize hits to the existing website; however, I educated the client on the different methods of accomplishing this, depending on what financial resources are available.

As we met and talked further, I remembered that just yesterday (Labor Day), I was at family event during which I spent most of the time talking to one cousin in particular. This cousin's daughter, Angelina Jacobs, is a sophomore in college on a basketball scholarship. Who knows what influence she may have in exposing the product to a wider market.

Ah, the power of networking!!!

www.myspace.com/poppersworld
www.youtube.com/poppersworld

Broaden your Horizons

Regina Thurston — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:26:00 GMT

In order to broaden my professional horizons, I joined this network today. It caters to people who need or provide information technology services such as web design, wireless networking, systems administration, training, etc.

We are Family

Regina Thurston — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:00:00 GMT

Some may say that I am counting my chickens before they are hatched. Some may say that I am calling things that are not as though they were. Nevertheless, El, Lei and I had a beautiful first family dinner. I look forward to more of the same.

Promise Ring

Regina Thurston — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:00:00 GMT

I was suppose to be in New York but those plans got derailed. They say things happen for a reason. Hmm, could it be that I wasn't in New York because my destiny was to be with El and accept the promise ring he offered. Being the analytical person I am, I asked what was he promising. He said that he was promising to be with me and love me forever and ever. He then asked me what was I promising. I said I was promising to wear the ring. Then I added I guess I was promising to wait for him. Ultimately, I said I would look up the history of promise rings and see if I could wear the ring in the keeping of its traditionally meaning. According to Wikipedia, a girl receives a promise ring from her potential mate when they know they want to be married, but because of age or circumstance it is not possible at that time. A promise ring can also be a precursor to an engagement ring and/or signify a vow such as:

"I will be faithful to you."
"I will return to you."
"I will keep you in my heart always."
"I intend to marry you one day."
"We are best friends."
"I will always be there for you."
"I love you."
"I'll wait."
"I will remain abstinent until we are married."
"I will not dishonor you nor myself."

Wouldn't it be nice if the ring does symbolize all of these things!

My Birthday Weekend

Regina Thurston — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:01:00 GMT

I just thank God for a wonderful birthday weekend. This birthday was special because I spent it with people who are important to me. I have a cousin who is like a brother. He is blessed to have a beautiful, loving, gracious, wise wife, a Proverbs 31 woman. Her birthdate is very close to mine and she wanted to take me out for breakfast. Although this is a simple gesture, this meant a lot to me. I knew this wouldn't just be a girly girl event. I knew her husband would accompany us, so we made it a foursome. I have the most romantic, loving, generous boyfriend in the world, whose name is El. After breakfast, the day and the rest of the weekend was just filled with family events that warmed my heart.

Saturday 7/19

renewed license plate tab
had breakfast at Omega with El, cousin V and his wife
went ring shopping with El
went outfit shopping with El
met El's daughter for the first time
went to Eastland to browse the mall and ring shop with El
bought a birthday cake to share with the girls
played cards all night with El

Sunday 7/20

went to church
ran household errands
had breakfast at Josephine's in Ferndale
ran Mom's errands
took El to meet mom and have birthday cake
El asked my mom if it was OK that he would marry me
visited El's daugther to have birthday cake
met more of El's family (sister and brother-inlaw)
retired for the night quite early

In summary, birthday gifts do not have to be about material things. Love, warmth and feeling special is a gift in and of itself. I thank God for this gift.

Women of Proverbs 31

Regina Thurston — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I was meeting with a client at an outdoor internet cafe and one of her friends happened to come by and see my computer screen. We were looking at a blog entry I wrote entitled Back to the Drawing board. In the entry I boldly proclaimed that one day somebody was going to like the concept and want it for their group. It's said that the Lord works in mysterious ways and that He's coming at an hour which you think not.

The lady that walked by is not only a member of Women of Proverbs 31 but she totally grasped the concept I was conveying: women of ethnic diversity centered in Christ.

http://www.thurstononline.net/websites/wop31