This site is my development blog where I write articles on things I have developed in the past that I think other developers might find useful. In this site I’ve written about everything from HTML & CSS list menus to setting up domain keys for email.

How did I make this site?

To speed up the development of this site I used WordPress  along with the Thematic framework as the base for the site.

The idea behind the site was to make a super simple to do list that was really easy to use. I wanted to make a to do list that did away with a lot of the features that can bloat and overcomplicate task management software.

How did I build it?

The whole site was built by me from scratch using the CodeIgniter PHP framework along with jQuery for the fancy javascript effects.

The Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project (CVYP) are a local organisation that aim to improve the social and personal development of young people. Providing both on site activities such as music equipment, pool tables, cookery and arts and crafts as well as off site opportunities such as kayaking, mountain biking and Duke of Edinburgh’s award.

Their recent achievements include the opening of their sensory garden by Princess Anne and when they were awarded the Queens award for voluntary service in 2009. The Queens award is the highest award given to volunteer groups in the UK for outstanding work done in their local communities.

What did I create for them?

The CVYP website was mainly aimed at the young people the youth project was created for whilst still being informative and engaging for the sites other visitors. The top stipulation for the site was that it should look good, be interesting for young people and everything should be easy for the CVYP staff to update.

After talking with the CVYP staff I decided to go for a slightly urban, graffiti style for the website that would match the interior of the CVYP building and with lots of images to show the activities organised by the CVYP.

The whole website is updatable through a simple to use admin panel and the image galleries on the activity pages are automatically generated so adding a new image is as simple as uploading it.