A New Look

Looking back at some of the projects I did back when I was just starting out, I realised that I didn't really like what I saw. So in an effort to make my sites (even the old ones) look better, I started work on my first complete site DailySoccerGist. So here is the new look for the very old site. Check it out and tell me what you think (I don't know how long either would remain online). I hope I would be able to change the old one soon (as soon as I get the goahead signal).

What's new...

Hmm. It's been like forever since I have written here. Work has been "interesting". I am currently somewhere in East Nigeria, serving my Fatherland. I have been improving my skills too (I can only get better). I'm trying to improve my use of Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 (not CS4...not yet) and I hope I would also dive into Adobe Flash and Linux soon. I know it seems like a lot, but there is so much to learn...

My most recent job is http://www.rccfabia.org. I tried including as many "animations" as possible without the use of flash. Check out the gallery page and try clicking any of the images... I hope to improve the site with time, but I think it's pretty cool for now (what do u think)?

I have so many plans, but there are so many challenges at the same time. I hope to overcome them one after the other. Wish me luck....

HOW TO FIND THAT RIGHT SOMEONE (culled from www.seriouslytalking.com/stories.php)

This is an interesting one. Please check it out on the site www.seriouslytalking.com/stories.php

1. If you think you would find a perfect person, you would be disappointed.
2. While looking for this special someone, spend time developing yourself so that when you find him/her, he/she would like who you are.
3. Don't concentrate on things you can see such as beauty, finances, etc, 'cos these things may disappear in no time. Spend time to discover the inner person and appreciate him/her for who he/she is.
4. Don't rush into any relationship for any reason. You would only end up with heartbreak.
5. There are some things that can be changed and some that cannot. Take time to know the difference so you don't waste time trying to change traits in the person that cannot be changed.
6. Accept the person for who he/she is.
7. Before you search for love, learn to love yourself first.

I believe that you can find that right someone. You just have to take time to search and be at the right place always. Good luck...

My Work in Progress!!

Well, I'm now through with DLA and I hope (I know I will ) I would have opportunities to practice the things I've learnt. Well, my latest site is http://www.seriouslytalking.com. I have actually been working on this site for a while now bcuz it is very heavy and demands a lot of attention, but I must say that I am proud of my work so far... It is a relationship forum that allows ppl to talk about their problems anonymously and hear opinions of others on the subject matter. They can also send and recive private messages to other registered members. The site is simply a work of art and I'm proud of it

I am also currently working on a mobile version of the site (http://m.seriouslytalking.com). Someof the pages have been uploaded already but it is still largely under construction. I hope I would be through with this one soon...

Extra School Hours

I thought I was finally over with classes until I started attending Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA). This is no ordinary school where you sit and hear boring lectures that may never be useful to you. In this "school", students are trained how to start their own businesses, manage existing business and become great leaders in their families and in the society at large. One of the most important lessons I've learnt is that success is first within (in your mindset) then without (expressed in the physical world). You would be surprised how often we limit ourselves in our minds...

Another wonderful lesson I've learnt so far is the importance of raising other leaders around you. If we want a better world, we need better leaders. We are those leaders, the young generation of this world. I know we've all heard that we are the future, but I think it's time I started living the reality of that statement. I don't have to be a positional leader (with a post to my name), but I need to rise to the greatest level of leadership, where I make impact everywhere I find myself, even without an official post.

There are so many things I've learnt, but another that spole out to me is the fact that so many of us live with very low self-esteems and we don't even realise it. When you are always conscious of what people say about you, you have a low sefl-esteem. Well I've always been that guy who wants to know if people are talking about him. I'm improving and I know that I'd become better by His Grace.

Whew!! Yea, I've really learnt a lot and it's been really great listening to the experiences of so many people and learning from them. I write my final tests this Saturday and I'm not sure I've read enough, but the courses are more practical than theoretical, so I'm sure I'd do well.

This school has been great for me and I believe that there are great opportunities out there for me. All I have to do is open my eyes and see them (ofcourse I have to be prepared before those opportunities come, else...) So wish me the best as I step tp the next level. Meet you at the top.

Web application development is not for the faint in heart

One of my greatest challenges in designing a site is ensuring that it looks exaclty alike when viewed on different browsers. You would be surprised how different browsers interprete the same codes. I guess thats why some people shy away from javascript and other client-side languages 'cos they can be unpredictable. For instance, I used the marquee tag to create a scrolling message on www.dailysoccergist.com only to discover that Internet Explorer 8 (the newest browser from Microsoft's desk or so I think) turns the scrolling message into something else. After some minutes searching the net and brain storming, I came up (actually edited some codes I saw from the net) with a javascript solution that should work across all browsers. That took me a little above 2 hours to accomplish. What can I say... I enjoy the work, but it can be frustrating at times. Atleast there is now a cool feauture. The scrolling messages pause when you place your pointer on them (oh goody!)

If you wanna go into web designing, I hope you are very patient 'cos that would be your greatest asset (asides your creativity and other stuff)

What I've been doing since I finished school

I've had a lot of time i my hands (but that is in the past now). After my 6 yrs long journey in OAU Ife, I believed that everything would just fall in place. After being delayed from service (I still don't know who to blame yet), I decided to get a job but that didn't work out. Everyone wants a graduate who has done his NYSC (except if u want a low paying job). So I decided to do something with my life (after spending about 4 months at home doing absolutely nothing). So I started learning how to design websites and develop web applications. Needless to say, this was one of the best decisions I've made in a while.

So, yea, I now design web sites. I know I still have a long way to go, but it's a relief to know that there are so many things I can do with m life beyond looking for an employment. I am presently working on two sites, both are online but one especially in fully operational. The address is www.dailysoccergist.com.

The server scripting language I use is PHP 'cos I was told is easier to learn (and I think whoever said that is right). Anyhow, I tried incorporating some javascripts on the page. So I did some fancy slide animation on the homepage (jquery) and used AJAX to display abbreviaton definitions instantly. These are pretty cool but also simple, so I hope to learn much more in the nearest future.