B(j)trayal or just b(j)nevolence?

After a long night wrestling with IV Free board customization, I managed to finish (for the most part) the new look for the Bob Jones Grad Forums. I went with a "hawk/squirrel" theme as I'm told these two are common sights on the BJU campus, specifically with the former terrorizing the latter. I have to admit I feel a little strange, being an alumni of PCC, considering the "rivalry" that exists between the two. Considering the fact that PCC is in some technology black hole, though, I don't feel all that bad. It's a real shame too, because they had a good deal of talent. But I always felt strange, because every time I spoke to anyone in administration about a computer issue, they blinked the "I'd rather be scuba diving" look and nodded mindlessly. I remember one semester asking for internet access because I had a job that I needed to FTP files and email sample images to my client. This threw them for a loop. "How do we control that?!" Several long nights and a few pots of coffee later, they said no. But I digress.

IVP Free (I think its better for paying customers) is so much more difficult than phpBB... it was so ridiculous that I couldn't even login and upload images to the server to use with the site; I had to post them as attachments and find the file name to make reference to in the CSS from the control panel. What a runaround!

I really broke some ground, though, in understanding PHP... of course, I learned a great deal from working on our school's forums; but I'm thinking seriously about using PHP to power my new site.

Yes, that's another thing. Look for a new PlasticMind site that integrates the forums, blog, design portfolio and store all into one. It's going to be a big bold move, but I want to be ready before I do it. I'm not sure, but I think I'm going to go with a really clean blue and green look. I'll put up samples later as I go on. Also look for a very cool ad I'm putting together for my first PlasticMind Design magazine appearance. (It involves almost jamming a pencil in my student's eye!)

Last question... in reference to the BJ Grad Forums--should I use the hawk with the mouse cursor? I've been torn. The designer in me balks at the thought of changing the cursor to look like a hawk. But it is fun. Any thoughts?

  • posted on 4 March 2005
  • by Jesse

InterAction:

4 March 20051. Dawn:

BTW I need to talk to you about developing a website and what your fees are. We need to start budgeting for it and I want to be able to upload music files.

Email me

dawnb@advmr.net

4 March 20052. Austin:

Please, no cursors of any sort. If there’s a useful purpose behind having a different cursor (to signify different content, different user classification?) then there has to be a better way, for the following reasons:

1. The mere fact that it’s non-standard means most people will not be helped by it—only power users will figure out the reason, and they’re the ones who don’t need your help in that way.

2. It’s annoying, because it feels like you’re hijacking my mouse. (Have you followed the recent flak Google’s been taking over Autolink? It’s the same feeling of violation, except just on the user level.)
3. It’s gimmicky, like dancing skeletons.

That said, thanks for your work on the BJ Grad Forums. It looks sharp.

4 March 20053. xpressionccr:

I wouldn't use it...there really aren't that many hawks here in G-vegas. I think I saw more on the site than I have seen here in the last few years.

4 March 20054. JDG:

Thanks for the feedback. Let me post my comments from a related discussion on the forum:

"It goes against every fibre of designer in me to replace the cursor with the hawk... one rule we always follow is don't confuse the user. A hawk would be confusing because many people would wonder what was the "point" of the cursor. I mean, what is the 'click' part of the cursor... on the arrow, its the point of the arrow, but with a hawk, would it be the beak? See, it could get confusing.

So I'm a little torn, because while the hawk is cool, it could get confusing. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to turn the hawk off for some users. InvisionFree Boards are severely limited in their customization (they are _free_ after all) so it either have to be off, on, or on for a certain amount of time."

I've decided to pull it. Gracias for the comments.

7 March 20055. amt:

you're not betraying, friend. unless you desire to betray both institutions... not that i know anyone who would do that.

=)

11 April 20056. BarbaraH:

Benevolence, definitely, not betrayal. :) I would hope the folks at PCC wouldn't consider BJU folks "enemies" or think less of you for helping -- but even if they did -- Scripture instructs us to do good to our enemies. :) And to do good to "the household of faith."

Thanks for your work!!

12 April 20057. JDG:

Oh, I know. I'm not sure how it is at BJU, but at PCC we always used to joke about the "rivalry". Gotta do something to overcome boredom. :-P

YourThoughts?


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This entry was written by Jesse on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 1:12 PM and appears in the Eyes chapter. The previous article was entitled, "Just a Christian", and the next entry is called, "NDCS Promo Video Debut". Bookmark the permalink, save it to del.icio.us or Digg it.

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