Don't worry, that does not mean what such a headline can usually mean!
Though of course we are always grateful for anyone taking the time to swing by and see what's here and on Junkk.com itself:)
However, the eagle-eyed may have noticed that of late that has not been much... at all.
Simply pressures of work and responsibilities elsewhere... plus costs.
Running a site, finding content, etc, even writing a blog, all takes time, and there has simply been none for a while.
With luck things are starting to settle, and when that happens a little can be put aside to get back in the saddle up-loading ideas and other stuff.
There will be changes, and some are sort of happening, if in limbo, now, and have been for months.
The main aspect is the moving of the site from a dedicated (expensive) server with major hosting costs to a much cheaper WordPress version.
Sadly this will mean some loss of functionality, so we're looking at what people never really were bothered about, and dropping all that simply to keep the bits that are liked.
This may... almost certainly, also involve a massive amount of transcribing to get the data from the old site over in a from the new whiz-bang stuff can read. We're talking converting a hand-illuminated script Guggenheim Bible to Google. Not easy.
But we are going to try.
Oh, and that thanks? It's to David Jenkins at http://www.logicc.co.uk who took over a clunker decades ago and have nursed it along ever since, and are now helping us as we port over as and when we can.
Showing posts with label Junkk - ADMIN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Junkk - ADMIN. Show all posts
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Friday, June 19, 2015
There Will Be Blood - Or... 'RE-evolution, read in tooth and claw'
(Note: In the spirit of reuse, no fingers were harmed to make this post, at least recently -
we just used a shot from a while ago)
Likely a lot of sweat, too.
Most certainly a few tears.
For sure fingers getting raw as keyboards are pounded.
Because big changes are afoot with Junkk.com.
Many, most... hopefully for the better, but there are going to be some compromises.
It will not have escaped the notice of many that, whilst once buzzing, the site has languished a bit, along with this blog.
Sadly the hoped-for revenue streams to hire the staff to run it have not materialised, and while much is on 'autopilot', a lot still needs human TLC. This always costs, in time and hence money. Just keeping it open has annual fees that were proving hard to sustain in its original configuration.
Time To Evolve
We have also reviewed the site to see what has worked, what has not; what has been used... and what has not. And then looked at what exists now that did not when it was created. So much now free that cost and arm and leg back in the day. Plus a quaint glitchiness that could often task the most patient IT guru to track down.
So we are 'evolving' it, and moving the site to a WordPress platform that is going to be a lot cheaper, easier to use (for admin and visitor) and, we hope, bring Junkk.com back up to date.
However, there will be sacrifices, sadly.
Less Is More
A lot is going to go. Frankly much was outdated and/or simply unused by even us, much less anyone else.
Already the trusty home page is gone... though that was by accident! In moving server it vanished and we can't seem to get it back. No more updated links to latest ideas or blogs, and banner advisories (though with luck the new design will permit such things to return).
So, taking the current sections, what's likely in & out?
ABOUT
Every site needs and has one. So there will be something like this, if updated.
Probably no longer needed. The legal protections are covered by sensible disclaimers common to any free info site, and we are parking facilities that needed anyone to register.
There was also a cost to registering under the DPA with the ICO. We'll probably remove the database to save on the cost this incurred. Betting a large chunk are hotmails long since changed and now ineffective to access the site or the site to access the users.
No names; no need. And, looking at the dates... no loss.
To be fair, there were a bunch more, but they did dry up a long while ago.
We were (still do; there will likely be one last hurrah to advise of all these changes nearer the handover day) using a very ethical mailing system, that even on 'mates' rates' as they liked our style was 1p a pop. When you are in tens of thousands of mailings that adds up.
Again, it's possible that WordPress and maybe Mailchimp might one day allow something to be re-instituted.
COMMUNITY
We really let this go once Chief of Stuff Emma departed. Is a forum necessary when we have this blog? We'll see. They are not quite the same, and WordPress may make running one easier than it was before for those left (well, Junkk Male and First Lady PJ).
Also WordPress is up to date on integrating with all the social media tools we can with luck engage with on site and interactively: twitter, FaceBook, Pinterest, etc.
JunkkYard will likely bit the dust. Pity. It was an idea ahead of its time and did a bunch of things even Freecycle didn't when it started. Still a few nice aspects compared to many exchange sites still.
One deciding factor will be if the registration goes too. That was needed to locate the swapper and swappee.
ANSWERS
Definitely going. Oh, there'll be some means of getting in touch, but given the spammers of Eastern Europe and the Far East were all who got in touch to sell their handbags and Viagra... we'll pass.
With luck WordPress has a nice, free 'Captcha' verification script to ensure we only deal with humans in future.
LOCAL
Never say never, but likely toast. Even when businesses had it for free, and were handed their own admin. privileges, they never updated their own pages.
In fact the only use seemed to be people getting in touch to say links are dead, etc.
ARTICLES
Here's hoping. Chief of Stuff Emma put a lot of work into these, they are useful, can be updated and it's a pity to lose it all. We've found it all ports easily enough over to here on Blogger, so Wordpress should work too. There was a concern on images, but with luck these can be stored on the new site and work still. Definitely a 'spare moment' task as we create and populate the new site pages over the coming months.
SHOP
Hey... one day. Never opened for business 'til now!
And then, last but most certainly most...
IDEAS
The BIG one, in all sorts of ways.
These are what made, makes and will make Junkk.com special.
But clearly WordPress can't handle what we envisaged and created decades ago, and still serving as we speak.
Hence a lot of the functionality will sadly need to be parked if not lost. Such as the data sections. No great loss, as apart from JunkkMale it looks like few used it anyway.
We're looking at how best to port over the best ideas in ways so they can still be searched and shared, and of course such that new ones can be imported.
Mostly this will be another cut 'n paste job from the old site to the new, and more bleeding fingers.
Of course, if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions (preferably not involving more time or money) to help, we're happy to hear them!
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Grrrrrrr..... and stuff
OK, it has been a while.... too long.
Yes, I share and post fairly regularly on the FaceBook page, but I have neglected the main site, I admit.
No excuses. Just... stuff. Money, work (that pays), more stuff, IT matters....
Big changes afoot. Our sons are all grow'd up and take their 'A' levels in a few week's time, then are off abroad for two years to do National Service in Singapore.
Which makes where we are too big and a very expensive proposition to keep running. And at the same time as a physical move we need to look at saving money everywhere we can (those boys are coming back with luck to 3 years' Uni, and while abroad no parent ever has not found the need to send a care package of dosh).
One area is the Junkk.com site. It may have been designed to run ad infinitum without human intervention, but that is not really the case. She is a grand, glitchy old lady and needs constant TLC. Maintenance. And there are operational costs, from email to site hosting to server fees.
So we are actively looking at paring down. Easier said than done when all the modern, cheap ways of doing things (look at this on Blogger... images, video... in one click!) take one look at the scripts Junkk.com was written with (especially the core searchable Ideas database) and run away gibbering that they have found evidence of an older lost civilisation. At least they still talk... sort of (hold that thought).
Which brings me to my actual Grrr as a relevant post for JMR on an 'eco' topic, as it is all run on a whirring grey box on a desk, after all.
Yes, I share and post fairly regularly on the FaceBook page, but I have neglected the main site, I admit.
No excuses. Just... stuff. Money, work (that pays), more stuff, IT matters....
Big changes afoot. Our sons are all grow'd up and take their 'A' levels in a few week's time, then are off abroad for two years to do National Service in Singapore.
Which makes where we are too big and a very expensive proposition to keep running. And at the same time as a physical move we need to look at saving money everywhere we can (those boys are coming back with luck to 3 years' Uni, and while abroad no parent ever has not found the need to send a care package of dosh).
One area is the Junkk.com site. It may have been designed to run ad infinitum without human intervention, but that is not really the case. She is a grand, glitchy old lady and needs constant TLC. Maintenance. And there are operational costs, from email to site hosting to server fees.
So we are actively looking at paring down. Easier said than done when all the modern, cheap ways of doing things (look at this on Blogger... images, video... in one click!) take one look at the scripts Junkk.com was written with (especially the core searchable Ideas database) and run away gibbering that they have found evidence of an older lost civilisation. At least they still talk... sort of (hold that thought).
Which brings me to my actual Grrr as a relevant post for JMR on an 'eco' topic, as it is all run on a whirring grey box on a desk, after all.
I am a Mac person. I started with an Amstrad about 35-40 years ago and then some DOS PCs, but as soon as I got my first 128k (which I still have, in its box, along with G3's and all manner of colourful jobbies) in the mid 80's that was me hooked. Been with 'em ever since, for writing, graphics and all the rest.
My needs now are simple(r). Mainly eMail, surfing, watching videos, social media and some .doc stuff. Plus a few desktoppy apps, like iPlayer, Calendar, Address Book, etc.
And to do this I have been happily using a succession of Minis (currently I do most on a £60 Android tablet, for heaven's sake!). For the money not too powerful, but a nice small footprint... does the job.
Then the rot started. I started finding little warnings popping up, that stuff I was using couldn't now be used, unless I upgraded my OS. But... to upgrade the OS I needed to upgrade the hardware.
Why?
I have a 500GB hard drive. With all my photos and music and decades of writing it is only half-full. I need a C-130, not an F-35. It works just fine.
First it was my Final Cut Pro, then it was my FileMaker, and Bento....
Next up Flash, and Firefox, and Chrome.
The latter are free, but I paid for the former. All, useless.
And now, as I decide to back up the last month from my tablet...
'Beginning March 23rd, 2015, the Dropbox desktop client will no longer be available for download on OS X Tiger 10.4 or OS X Leopard 10.5. If you are currently running the Dropbox desktop client on these versions of OS X, you will no longer be able to sign in to your existing account or create a new account through the desktop client.
You may be signed out of your account on the desktop client as early as May 18th, 2015, and will not be able to sign in again until you update to OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.'
Like I say... Grrrrrr.
I would dearly love Apple, and all those who write for them, to explain to me why I should ever invest several hundred pounds on a not very high spec piece of IT kit that clearly is designed around early obsolescence more as a primary requirement.
Monday, March 02, 2015
SCReeeeeeeeeCH!
So there you are driving along.
The sun is out; the sky is blue.
All is well.
Then, suddenly, ahead you see a honking great sinkhole take out the road ahead.
So you make that sound in the headline, stop, and thank your lucky stars it did not present a little later while you were over it.
Some may have noticed I have been trying to upload here the Articles on various topics Chief of Stuff Emma created many moons ago, as these will be lost once we move from the IT equivalent of Illuminated Script to more contemporary versions.
First Lady PJ had already asked why we would be on WordPress when I was moving yet more to Blogger, and whilst true I thought I had a top answer, namely the rather fortuitous coincidence that whatever Junkk.com was written in was the same as Blogger, so I literally could highlight, copy and paste all her work en masse... text, links, images.
However, it has now dawned....
Because the whole point to the move is not only to move to a more modern format, but also try and save running costs too.
And when Junkk.com Classic gets parked, so too will its databases, including all those lovely royalty-free images that pretty up the articles so well. It goes off line, I'm guessing more 'X's than a Castlemaine stand at a porn conference.
So... if not return to drawing board, at least a short further pause for thought. But at the end of the rainbow there is always light, right?
The sun is out; the sky is blue.
All is well.
Then, suddenly, ahead you see a honking great sinkhole take out the road ahead.
So you make that sound in the headline, stop, and thank your lucky stars it did not present a little later while you were over it.
Some may have noticed I have been trying to upload here the Articles on various topics Chief of Stuff Emma created many moons ago, as these will be lost once we move from the IT equivalent of Illuminated Script to more contemporary versions.
First Lady PJ had already asked why we would be on WordPress when I was moving yet more to Blogger, and whilst true I thought I had a top answer, namely the rather fortuitous coincidence that whatever Junkk.com was written in was the same as Blogger, so I literally could highlight, copy and paste all her work en masse... text, links, images.
However, it has now dawned....
Because the whole point to the move is not only to move to a more modern format, but also try and save running costs too.
And when Junkk.com Classic gets parked, so too will its databases, including all those lovely royalty-free images that pretty up the articles so well. It goes off line, I'm guessing more 'X's than a Castlemaine stand at a porn conference.
So... if not return to drawing board, at least a short further pause for thought. But at the end of the rainbow there is always light, right?
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Breakthrough!
Ok, hubris is a capricious mistress.
That should be 'Breakthrough?'
We're creeping towards slimming the site down to move it to the new platform... a lot, but as an inveterate hoarder (how else would Junkk.com have been created) I was/am loathe to lose neat stuff, and opportunities to share.
Currently, beyond 'IDEAS' (ironically, or in protest at what we propose, not working yesterday and on go-slow today), there is:
* ABOUT
* COMMUNITY
* ANSWERS
* LOCAL
* ARTICLES
* SHOP
Most look simple enough to move to a Wordpress format, with the possibility of interactivity retained.
But I was looking at ARTICLES and thought it a pity that all the great work Chief of Stuff Emma would get lost, and all the bits 'n bobs I stumble across in my travels would not be collated and archived any more. Well, beyond the FaceBook group, which few are aware of and is not searchable.
But... of course it can be! Here!
I just need to create a Page Label and category, and away we go. Then link the new ARTICLES page to it.
Whenever I see a new story I can just call it up and update. No idea when, but of course all the old material can also simply be ported across in this way too.
Ironically, and with dark humour, thanks to the latest share on the FaceBook page, the first to be created is likely to be CATEGORY - FUNEREAL, with info and links on eco-funerals, etc, of course inspired by and based on this page.
Seems apt as we design away on the new site Phoenix to rise from the ashes of the old.
Well, that's the theory. Here's hoping!
ps: Also, as a plus, it means we may still snag a few pennies from Google adwords by not sending visitors away elsewhere:)
That should be 'Breakthrough?'
We're creeping towards slimming the site down to move it to the new platform... a lot, but as an inveterate hoarder (how else would Junkk.com have been created) I was/am loathe to lose neat stuff, and opportunities to share.
Currently, beyond 'IDEAS' (ironically, or in protest at what we propose, not working yesterday and on go-slow today), there is:
* ABOUT
* COMMUNITY
* ANSWERS
* LOCAL
* ARTICLES
* SHOP
Most look simple enough to move to a Wordpress format, with the possibility of interactivity retained.
But I was looking at ARTICLES and thought it a pity that all the great work Chief of Stuff Emma would get lost, and all the bits 'n bobs I stumble across in my travels would not be collated and archived any more. Well, beyond the FaceBook group, which few are aware of and is not searchable.
But... of course it can be! Here!
I just need to create a Page Label and category, and away we go. Then link the new ARTICLES page to it.
Whenever I see a new story I can just call it up and update. No idea when, but of course all the old material can also simply be ported across in this way too.
Ironically, and with dark humour, thanks to the latest share on the FaceBook page, the first to be created is likely to be CATEGORY - FUNEREAL, with info and links on eco-funerals, etc, of course inspired by and based on this page.
Seems apt as we design away on the new site Phoenix to rise from the ashes of the old.
Well, that's the theory. Here's hoping!
ps: Also, as a plus, it means we may still snag a few pennies from Google adwords by not sending visitors away elsewhere:)
Friday, February 20, 2015
Un-social media, hours, funds... etc...
Warning: this rare post is one of those Junkk Male 'stream of consciousness' efforts.
It has been a while.
Make that a long while.
No excuses. Reasons aplenty... time, health, money... the usual. But at the end of the day, it's down to me that really not much has happened on Junkk.com (or other, associated parts) in a rare old while.
And while sorry is actually the easiest word, doing something takes a whole lot more.
A BIT OF CONTEXT
Junkk.com was created almost 20 years ago. I hesitate to use the term 'ahead of its time', but nice people have and do, and it is true. It has always been meant well in compliment, but also carries a sense of curse too.
The concept was pretty unique back then, and remains so in some key areas today. As far as I am aware, no other 2nd/Re-use site has the searchable database of household products and materials, detailed descriptions and data, and associated ideas.
Likewise other innovations, such as JunkkYard, that was created around the same time as Freecycle, but had images from the outset, and nice features like poster-to-beneficiary distance guide and safe intranet contact.
And it all cost.... a... mint. Yet now, most would be achievable with free scripts and/or cheap apps.
MONEY TALKS, LOSERS FUND POOR BUSINESS MODELS
I actually didn't mind the money, and was lucky to see much often at least half-offset by match-funded grants from supportive bodies.
But as with many things, especially in the world of innovation, it is easy to forget that content, maintenance and repair never go away, and carry on as long as the entity exists. In Junkk.com's case, although as much as possible has been created to evolve and endure even if I can no longer chip in, it has operational costs before factoring in the time to source and upload and administer.
I was happy and able to bear these costs at the start and for a long period thereafter. I believed in Junkk.com's potential and still do. Not just as a 'green' service, but as a possible money-earner.
At one stage we had three permanent staff, and one contracted. Me, First Lady PJ, Chief of Stuff Emma, and Head of Prose & Comms Anita. And that team achieved a lot. In our heyday we were running 150,000+ unique visitors... a month.
I was inventing and writing. PJ was composing and designing. Emma was doing everything from creating and updating category info to fielding questions and modding the Forum. Anita was helping with PR that got us noticed everywhere... big time.
But just as Coke and Pepsi as brands need to keep advertising even when they are at the top, so Junkk.com needed... needs this 24/7, 365/365 to maintain and grow.
A few roles were left out at the start. My fault. There was no business management and, crucially, media sales. To be fair to myself I tried to find them, but those who may have helped (by which I mean taken a cut) never materialised. Then it was 'come back when you hit 500k visitors'. I wonder if that would be true now? many less popular sites seem to muddle along on a lot less.
Even those with staff and funding struggle:
And those with deep pockets were seldom interested unless they had control, or things had tangibles they could grasp. Even then, green can be a hard way to turn a profit.
So much of the funding we got went on consultants to tell us what we already knew; for instance that we needed specialist staff. But for which funding was not, apparently, available. And not one of scores of state-supported quango advisers appeared able to put us in touch with complementing talents.
So as mortgages needed paying and kids feeding, with no revenue, we had to cut back, in staff and hours, which on a website means content. And content on a site is king, though when this king moves on there is no new one to rise in their place.
Hence, stagnation... followed by reversal.
TIME TO SPRING FORWARD!
But not all the news is bad.
Despite the woeful support from within, the site has performed its ongoing function well, if with a few stumbles only a binary whizz could explain happening. For some reason a 'yes/no', on/off, 1/0 set of codes can and does suddenly acquire a life of its own and pull a sickie or has a wobbly.
Better still, it chugs along at its core, quietly absorbing new data like Voyager beyond the constraints of the solar system.
And, amazingly, people still swing by. Not many to contribute sadly, but for sure to visit.
I have no recent stats on Junkk.com from Google Analytics as I am a self-confessed ITiot (we had them, and they doubtless still exist...somewhere), but looking here on Blogger the Junkk Male RE:view blog alone gets several thousand visitors a month still. And that too has been pretty dormant for... too long.
Anyhoo, with great responsibility comes great ambition, so we (First Lady and I) are looking at a SWOT of what we've had, what worked, what didn't, what can't and where we can go next, to try and reinvigorate things but also draw down the running costs.
Thanks to kids leaving the family nest we had one of those conversations with our lawyers on wills and legacies, and the subject of trusts and leaving funding to projects came up. I would like Junkk.com to endure no matter what. Calculating annual costs threw up the monthly hosting, the annual info@junkk.com fee, domain renewal, ICO licence and an amount for servicing. That still added up to a fair capital amount in trust to provide operational cost cover annually.
RUTHLESS PEOPLE
So paring down is clearly necessary.
Certainly there are vast chunks (like the forum - I dare not look at it) and things like Junkk Questions (which takes up my day winnowing out spam) that can simply be dropped, though with luck not lost if ever they need need firing back up. Doubtful as it is all pretty much older than the ark. A vast capital outlay down the pan, but the old girl is holed and hard to keep afloat on old tech. It created the brand at least, which lives on.
We're looking at creating some kind of WordPress site, with the possibility of linking a few things to it. Apparently keeping the home page and video is not a problem. Sadly, the searchable database... is.... may be.
Would that be such a loss? Looking back, although many kind souls did share ideas, few have of late, and almost nobody has bothered ever to fill out the data fields to match dimensions or materials.
Most else can be reproduced, and now with free scripts that when the site was created cost thousands... yes... thousands. We are of course looking at other things like a tip jar at least, which seems common these days, and easily included.
INCOMINGS, AND OUTGOINGS
Interactivity is mostly handled now by either the blog (for which this post is admittedly the first in months) or the 'Here Are Some We RE:made Earlier' FaceBook page. This latter I do keep bubbling daily with snippets, though few respond. I do always try to reply though. I did/do have a twitter feed, but need to remove that as a link as it has become more a personal, maybe too personal ramble around all my interests, from politics to music, green to the ad world, etc.
I wish twitter had the ease of switching and linking that FaceBook has. I can find stuff online and post it in one click to the relevant category with the latter. With twitter you need to close out and sign in with the new timeline. When you have several to match varied interests, that can be a headache.
Plus, with any such direction away from a server you own and control, there is always the risk of a plug being pulled. Hard to commit too much passion to pages if it all may get lost! Plus of course revenue goes to the hosts; not the content creators. I wish I knew a bit more about back-ups, the Cloud, etc, in this regard.
But it all works and is easy, from posting to sharing, especially things like images or videos. There must be a way to auto-port new FaceBook posts to the Junkk.com homepage at least. I also have a huge backlog of nifty products as data, and a fair few of these as new ideas to upload.
I currently could not tell you how the Junkk.com admin system gets a new still on the home page, as it was and remains so complex. But one thing above all is clear on a new design... KISS!
Anyway, a lot of soul-searching, number-crunching and pondering here. And while we're at it, if anyone who knows their stuff and way around the back-end of a website has any suggestions... we're open to 'em.
Yours in evolution....
Friday, November 01, 2013
OT(ish) - A bit more mutual backscratching - ShowMeEngland.co.uk
Sorry to be away so long and then return with an OT, but when a person helps us I like to help back.
Just tested out the free Events listings of a new local online directory.
Does what it says on the tin, & pretty well. In this case a gig for First Lady PJ, but they will do it for things like car boots, fundraisers, etc.
I like the business model & wish them well if they continue to deliver like this. Genuine community 'news' & 'What's On' without charge to attract an audience, and then paying commercial advertisers can benefit from the traffic to support the admin and editorial.
Kind of like Junkk.com is meant to be:)
Just tested out the free Events listings of a new local online directory.
Does what it says on the tin, & pretty well. In this case a gig for First Lady PJ, but they will do it for things like car boots, fundraisers, etc.
I like the business model & wish them well if they continue to deliver like this. Genuine community 'news' & 'What's On' without charge to attract an audience, and then paying commercial advertisers can benefit from the traffic to support the admin and editorial.
Kind of like Junkk.com is meant to be:)
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Health Notice (Personal) - OT
Been off the radar a wee while. Sorry.
Not the best of reasons.
I was a few weeks ago struck down with a massive (not bragging, it's a medical term) pulmonary embolism.
Good news is I survived. However things are still on road to recovery and a may need to be taken a tad more slowly in future.
At worst a few doses of listed rat poison a day. Could be a lot worse.
But I share mainly as a caution to all you keyboard warriors out there.
No spring chicken me, but I was deemed 'young' for such a thing.
And they are pondering causes.
No obvious medical indicators... haven't flown for years, non-smoker... etc.
However, they are rather keen on the fact that I sit at a desk, looking at a screen, typing all day.
Not good.
Hard to avoid these days, but not good.
So... take it from me... frequent breaks... get up, take a stroll (or in complement such as the daft interim measure in the photo... I am wondering about designing a pedal-enabled seat that avoids DVTs whilst letting you power your PC) and... don't cross your legs! (this was impressed on me, with a slap, by any nurse walking past the end of my bed - apparently it's very bad).
As Spock would say... 'live long and prosper'!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Blink and you'll miss it
Bad enough that I have left the blog a bit lonely for too long.
But it has been long enough to not notice a ton of new features have been added by Blogger to make what does go up more searchable, shareable and all round 'able'.
I had a rare idle moment and clicked a few things that offered my a raft of options which, a few clicks later, are up and running.
Check 'em out in the right hand Nav Bar. Hopefully they do what they say on the tin!
Going to try out the translate drop-down as soon as this is posted.
Boy, does this make me jealous for what could have been almost 15 years ago when I first created Junkk.com, with custom scripts that cost a fortune and took all sorts of savvy to use much less embed.
Now it's all instant, free and awesome.
Enjoy.
But it has been long enough to not notice a ton of new features have been added by Blogger to make what does go up more searchable, shareable and all round 'able'.
I had a rare idle moment and clicked a few things that offered my a raft of options which, a few clicks later, are up and running.
Check 'em out in the right hand Nav Bar. Hopefully they do what they say on the tin!
Going to try out the translate drop-down as soon as this is posted.
Boy, does this make me jealous for what could have been almost 15 years ago when I first created Junkk.com, with custom scripts that cost a fortune and took all sorts of savvy to use much less embed.
Now it's all instant, free and awesome.
Enjoy.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Good news for a wet Monday
Some nice news to start the day!
My invention http://www.REtie.co.uk has been shortlisted in the Best Sustainability Initiative category of The World Juice awards - http://worldjuice.agraevents.com/
Goes some way to offsetting all the grief I've been having on IP for RE:tie with the US Patent Office.
In other news....
We are in the middle (erring on wrong side of that midpoint) of a massive rejig of the entire Firebird.com/Junkk.com/REtie online & social media estate.
So much has moved on since Junkk.com (which, sadly, remains in her 'classic' incarnation, at least as far as the 'guts' are concerned - which, fingers crossed still do what they are meant to, if in a clunky way) was created, with amazing, free scripts now available to allow content to be put up and exchanged across platforms so much more easily.
Hence we are trying to integrate, link and automate them all as much as possible. So, for instance, this news will, with luck, get 'placed' on one platform and then be distributed across others (even LinkedIn) without needing to cut & paste or edit.
In theory.
It's proving a massive undertaking so please be patient.
I'm also hoping to 'split' shares and RTs from such as twitter, that have to now been pooled under JunkkMale, such that what is eco goes under a green section, advertising under Firebird, music under a category for that... etc.
There will still be 'views', but also a bunch of extra shared information that will, with luck, also be easily archived and searched.
My invention http://www.REtie.co.uk has been shortlisted in the Best Sustainability Initiative category of The World Juice awards - http://worldjuice.agraevents.com/
Goes some way to offsetting all the grief I've been having on IP for RE:tie with the US Patent Office.
In other news....
We are in the middle (erring on wrong side of that midpoint) of a massive rejig of the entire Firebird.com/Junkk.com/REtie online & social media estate.
So much has moved on since Junkk.com (which, sadly, remains in her 'classic' incarnation, at least as far as the 'guts' are concerned - which, fingers crossed still do what they are meant to, if in a clunky way) was created, with amazing, free scripts now available to allow content to be put up and exchanged across platforms so much more easily.
Hence we are trying to integrate, link and automate them all as much as possible. So, for instance, this news will, with luck, get 'placed' on one platform and then be distributed across others (even LinkedIn) without needing to cut & paste or edit.
In theory.
It's proving a massive undertaking so please be patient.
I'm also hoping to 'split' shares and RTs from such as twitter, that have to now been pooled under JunkkMale, such that what is eco goes under a green section, advertising under Firebird, music under a category for that... etc.
There will still be 'views', but also a bunch of extra shared information that will, with luck, also be easily archived and searched.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Spring Cleaning (a bit late)
OK... back in the saddle.
Promptly thrown off. Repeat. A lot. Robert the Bruce would be impressed.
Actually had a pretty good summer holiday. It was just the rest that sucked. When you are pretty much on your own juggling plates like those acts on the Generation Game, pretty soon the place is going to look like the aftermath of a Greek wedding. Stuff doesn't go away when you take a break; it compounds.
There were thus two options.
Carry on and freak out (even more)
Or.... deep breath and stop..............
...................................................
............ and, then, start over again.
Like that awesome bit of wiring in the picture (taken from the poolside of our holiday hotel), it's not exactly broke, but could probably use fixing (water-created rust streaks from a live socket!).
So you are looking at the first shot in a root and branch re-jig of everything. Not just Junkk.com (which will, by virtue of being steam-driven, remain the same as almost nothing cannot be changed now the last Benedictine Monk who programmed it has given up his vows to hit Vegas), but all around that it feeds and feed it. Blogs, tweets, FaceBooks, YouTubes, newsletters, etc. Including other blogs such as Firebird.com (already 'holding', but showing a hint of our plans with automated tweets ported in from another location), RE:tie.co.uk & even phoenixj.com (our design, music & A/V director), all of which do have some kind of relationship with the Junkk.com content and its management.
The aim will... is... hoped to be to incorporate more that is automated and updated from other sources, such that 'stuff' will be seen to 'happen' a lot more than it is currently.
Sadly some things will still lie fallow and slumber on a while longer (such as the Forum:(, as the aforementioned steam-driven system is now over a decade old, and what can be done in a trice, for free, with some nifty script, on Junkk.com takes an age just to program on an admin system that cost an arm and a leg. And that's in a time when body parts were worth something.
With luck you won't notice too much.
Maybe a holding page here (if we're lucky), or an error message there (if we're not).
All we ask is your patience and indulgence.
With luck, and a following wind, it will all be worth it. And all right on the night.
Friday, March 16, 2012
It never hurts to ask
Well, you'd think, especially if you are a reporter.
Junkk.com is now an old lady.
What cost tens of thousands to custom create are now free, infinitely better scripts.
Sadly, you cannot plonk a '12 Veyron engine in a '98 Volvo just like that, if at all.
So we muddle along.
Hundreds if not thousands, monthly, accept that, and we thank you as much as we hope you feel you have gained from the Junkk.com site.
But a few... a very few... seem to think they are the only time-poor folk who can get inconvenienced by the fact that IT is not all black and white, zeros and ones. Gremlins and glitches are the order of the day. This post is being crafted using yet another new incarnation of Blogger that will take some getting used to, warts and all. That's Blogger, of Google fame. Junkk is not quite as well resourced to cope...
The following query has been submitted from the Junkk website:
I'm a journalist, currently writing about recycling and decided to visit your site. I honestly feel you make people jump through too many hoops to gain access to any useful stuff on your site. I signed up but never got the email. I'm not surprised there is nothing under 'print' on your media page! I would have written about you in my women's mag but have given your site too much of my time now and will go elsewhere.
Crazy. If you want to be useful, make it easier for people.
Now, we do our best, and try and sort things out as quickly as we can, explaining where and whenever we can as we do so.
I think this 'journalist' (from the email addy in fact a freelancer) had a bad day and decided to take it out on me. Unfortunately, and perhaps unwisely in this 'grin and bear it' culture the double standard media estate inflicts, I had also not be having the best day either...
They do say that the most valuable consumer any business can have to learn from to improve is one who cares enough to take the time to complain, so we must thank you for your input.
But as you will gather, we are somewhat at a loss as to what more we can do other than apologise yet more than we do on site for the inconvenience you have suffered.
Junkk.com was created for us over a decade ago, using the best advice and design input available at the time, and as many things have evolved in site design, navigation, social media, etc it is now admittedly positively antique.
However, given it cost a lot to create, still does to run and populate, yet remains free to all, there have been limits as to what can be done to improve as it would take a small fortune we don't have.
We presume the 'hoops' you refer to are the registration, as a few have over the years expressed frustration.
ANSWERS - http://www.junkk.com/faqs.asp?slevel=0z366z1076&parent_id=1076 >
REGISTRATION ISSUES - http://www.junkk.com/faqsarticle.asp?slevel=0z366z1076&parent_id=1076&renleewtsapf=96
Solution routes are even covered on the registration page:
If you suspect you have not had back this email and/or an activation, please write to us at info@junkk.com (don't worry, someone will read it and respond/help) and we'll see what we can do!
But once that is completed there should be no further barriers to enjoying the full site and all that is shared therein.
This registration requires only the filling out of a short form, involving name, email (for contact) and first block of postcode (to enable distances to be advised between users on such as JunkkYard, a feature many appreciate). Plus a user name and password. And two opt-ins. These do not seem overly onerous even today, and especially compared to some.
It is in fact not mandatory to register, but you will always be prompted to accept the t&cs at each stage if not, for the reasons given below, so it helps to do so.
It is necessary to ask users to accept t&cs. This is a legal requirement to protect ourselves and others, such as brands, whose products may be cited and, sadly, abused by those of malicious intent on making vexatious claims for compensation, for instance if attempting a reuse idea posted by another user over which we have no control. That... is... it.
The are many other sites of course, but few do what we do, or often as extensively with data and instructions. And some sites, interestingly enough government or quango or NGO ones, we do notice actually still break the law in being 'simpler'.
Most seem to accept the constraints we are under and have to pass on, given all the positives there are to enjoy once registered.
Certainly the several thousand opt-in newsletter signees, and the users who keep coming back, at a peak giving us a monthly unique visitor level so far of 130,000. Also such as Poundland, happy to support by using our URL on all their packaging and home pages. Even Government endorsers such as Direct.gov or media such as the BBC, Express or Guardian, who asked us to run a national reuse competition for all 330,000+ readers. Plus women's magazines such as Women's Own, Marie Claire, etc. Or features in books by such green issue authors as Sian Berry or Tracey Smith or Karen Cannard. None of whom seem to have had any major issues.
I'm not surprised there is nothing under 'print' on your media page!
Not sure that is correct:
ABOUT - http://www.junkk.com/index.asp?slevel=0z301&parent_id=301 >
MEDIA SECTION - http://www.junkk.com/index.asp?slevel=0z301z739&parent_id=739 >>
STUFF ABOUT US - http://www.junkk.com/index.asp?slevel=0z301z739z870&parent_id=870
A bit out of date to be sure, but plenty more where all those came from... when we get the time to add it.
All easily provided... if asked first.
The double opt-in confirmation was an industry standard at the time, designed to ensure the highest levels of data protection. You sign up, we email back to ensure it is you, you confirm, and bingo. Wish it could be simpler, which it could be, but we'd run some risks with the data commissioner and in any case do not have the funds to change. It is a real pain, for us as much as any who fall foul. Did we mention this is a free site?
You mention you did not get the confirmatory email. This can happen. Maybe our end, maybe in the ether. But we also know that things like spam filters and/or firewalls in users' PCs or at their ISPs can take their toll.
That's what the question form or email is for. You had a problem, and posed it. Lucky it was read within a day if, it appears, even too late at that. Not sure many sites, like Google (we are currently having a nightmare with problems on the Blogger platform, with no one human to appeal to) twitter or FaceBook or even eBay or Amazon do that. Do they?
We have looked in the system and there you are. For what it is worth you are now confirmed registered. Sorted. We'll also ask our new IT gurus, again, if anything can be done that is effective, legal.. and cheap.. to make it better in this regard.
We also note that your article is about recycling. Whilst this is covered too, do note the site is mainly about reuse ideas. There are many, and more thorough, on just throwing stuff away, if more correctly. We prefer it stays in the home, to save £ as well as planet.
If that is still relevant to your readers, it seems a pity they are not to be given the opportunity to learn of it because you, not uniquely but rarely, had some issues that may not have been ours to control, and could not wait to be answered and assisted with.
If you want to be an effective journalist, you might reflect on that as you 'go elsewhere' (where comparable, exactly, we are not sure) for what may fit with your high expectations on convenience, but maybe nowhere near as (re)useful or relevant. You could mention the problem in review, and having now read this maybe add what might be expected but then offer the explanation to prepare and even help us find a person qualified to help with support in skill or money.
We'll be sorry to lose you as a user but from your tone that seems inevitable. Maybe in the circumstances no great loss all round as your critique seems exclusively negative when so much else was possible. And rather lacking in accuracy on a few points in just one para. Not the rarest of traits from some 'journalists', of course.
If you want to make a difference, try and be more understanding, and pleasant. We don't charge, we don't make demands. That you get paid to do so in such a manner is an interesting, if regrettable contrast.
But thanks for the heads up reminder that we could improve if we have the resources. Given what some others get handed from the public pot to build, staff and run... and then see fizzle and die as Junkk.com endures, and is appreciated around the world, seems to be the really crazy part.
Junkk has its faults. Many. But we will either try and fix them or help overcome them to help those kind enough to use it. IF ASKED.
Addendum - Speaking of wastes of time, and as predicted, the journalist in question has responded to ask that she now be removed from the database. Happy to comply. One has to wonder what restricted bubble her readership will be exposed to on this topic, or any other. I wonder if she will sneak in a reference to Junkk.com anyway, if not in a good way? There is after all, no such thing as bad publicity. And all this will have served:)
Junkk.com is now an old lady.
What cost tens of thousands to custom create are now free, infinitely better scripts.
Sadly, you cannot plonk a '12 Veyron engine in a '98 Volvo just like that, if at all.
So we muddle along.
Hundreds if not thousands, monthly, accept that, and we thank you as much as we hope you feel you have gained from the Junkk.com site.
But a few... a very few... seem to think they are the only time-poor folk who can get inconvenienced by the fact that IT is not all black and white, zeros and ones. Gremlins and glitches are the order of the day. This post is being crafted using yet another new incarnation of Blogger that will take some getting used to, warts and all. That's Blogger, of Google fame. Junkk is not quite as well resourced to cope...
The following query has been submitted from the Junkk website:
I'm a journalist, currently writing about recycling and decided to visit your site. I honestly feel you make people jump through too many hoops to gain access to any useful stuff on your site. I signed up but never got the email. I'm not surprised there is nothing under 'print' on your media page! I would have written about you in my women's mag but have given your site too much of my time now and will go elsewhere.
Crazy. If you want to be useful, make it easier for people.
Now, we do our best, and try and sort things out as quickly as we can, explaining where and whenever we can as we do so.
I think this 'journalist' (from the email addy in fact a freelancer) had a bad day and decided to take it out on me. Unfortunately, and perhaps unwisely in this 'grin and bear it' culture the double standard media estate inflicts, I had also not be having the best day either...
They do say that the most valuable consumer any business can have to learn from to improve is one who cares enough to take the time to complain, so we must thank you for your input.
But as you will gather, we are somewhat at a loss as to what more we can do other than apologise yet more than we do on site for the inconvenience you have suffered.
Junkk.com was created for us over a decade ago, using the best advice and design input available at the time, and as many things have evolved in site design, navigation, social media, etc it is now admittedly positively antique.
However, given it cost a lot to create, still does to run and populate, yet remains free to all, there have been limits as to what can be done to improve as it would take a small fortune we don't have.
We presume the 'hoops' you refer to are the registration, as a few have over the years expressed frustration.
ANSWERS - http://www.junkk.com/faqs.asp?slevel=0z366z1076&parent_id=1076 >
REGISTRATION ISSUES - http://www.junkk.com/faqsarticle.asp?slevel=0z366z1076&parent_id=1076&renleewtsapf=96
Solution routes are even covered on the registration page:
If you suspect you have not had back this email and/or an activation, please write to us at info@junkk.com (don't worry, someone will read it and respond/help) and we'll see what we can do!
But once that is completed there should be no further barriers to enjoying the full site and all that is shared therein.
This registration requires only the filling out of a short form, involving name, email (for contact) and first block of postcode (to enable distances to be advised between users on such as JunkkYard, a feature many appreciate). Plus a user name and password. And two opt-ins. These do not seem overly onerous even today, and especially compared to some.
It is in fact not mandatory to register, but you will always be prompted to accept the t&cs at each stage if not, for the reasons given below, so it helps to do so.
It is necessary to ask users to accept t&cs. This is a legal requirement to protect ourselves and others, such as brands, whose products may be cited and, sadly, abused by those of malicious intent on making vexatious claims for compensation, for instance if attempting a reuse idea posted by another user over which we have no control. That... is... it.
The are many other sites of course, but few do what we do, or often as extensively with data and instructions. And some sites, interestingly enough government or quango or NGO ones, we do notice actually still break the law in being 'simpler'.
Most seem to accept the constraints we are under and have to pass on, given all the positives there are to enjoy once registered.
Certainly the several thousand opt-in newsletter signees, and the users who keep coming back, at a peak giving us a monthly unique visitor level so far of 130,000. Also such as Poundland, happy to support by using our URL on all their packaging and home pages. Even Government endorsers such as Direct.gov or media such as the BBC, Express or Guardian, who asked us to run a national reuse competition for all 330,000+ readers. Plus women's magazines such as Women's Own, Marie Claire, etc. Or features in books by such green issue authors as Sian Berry or Tracey Smith or Karen Cannard. None of whom seem to have had any major issues.
I'm not surprised there is nothing under 'print' on your media page!
Not sure that is correct:
ABOUT - http://www.junkk.com/index.asp?slevel=0z301&parent_id=301 >
MEDIA SECTION - http://www.junkk.com/index.asp?slevel=0z301z739&parent_id=739 >>
STUFF ABOUT US - http://www.junkk.com/index.asp?slevel=0z301z739z870&parent_id=870
A bit out of date to be sure, but plenty more where all those came from... when we get the time to add it.
All easily provided... if asked first.
The double opt-in confirmation was an industry standard at the time, designed to ensure the highest levels of data protection. You sign up, we email back to ensure it is you, you confirm, and bingo. Wish it could be simpler, which it could be, but we'd run some risks with the data commissioner and in any case do not have the funds to change. It is a real pain, for us as much as any who fall foul. Did we mention this is a free site?
You mention you did not get the confirmatory email. This can happen. Maybe our end, maybe in the ether. But we also know that things like spam filters and/or firewalls in users' PCs or at their ISPs can take their toll.
That's what the question form or email is for. You had a problem, and posed it. Lucky it was read within a day if, it appears, even too late at that. Not sure many sites, like Google (we are currently having a nightmare with problems on the Blogger platform, with no one human to appeal to) twitter or FaceBook or even eBay or Amazon do that. Do they?
We have looked in the system and there you are. For what it is worth you are now confirmed registered. Sorted. We'll also ask our new IT gurus, again, if anything can be done that is effective, legal.. and cheap.. to make it better in this regard.
We also note that your article is about recycling. Whilst this is covered too, do note the site is mainly about reuse ideas. There are many, and more thorough, on just throwing stuff away, if more correctly. We prefer it stays in the home, to save £ as well as planet.
If that is still relevant to your readers, it seems a pity they are not to be given the opportunity to learn of it because you, not uniquely but rarely, had some issues that may not have been ours to control, and could not wait to be answered and assisted with.
If you want to be an effective journalist, you might reflect on that as you 'go elsewhere' (where comparable, exactly, we are not sure) for what may fit with your high expectations on convenience, but maybe nowhere near as (re)useful or relevant. You could mention the problem in review, and having now read this maybe add what might be expected but then offer the explanation to prepare and even help us find a person qualified to help with support in skill or money.
We'll be sorry to lose you as a user but from your tone that seems inevitable. Maybe in the circumstances no great loss all round as your critique seems exclusively negative when so much else was possible. And rather lacking in accuracy on a few points in just one para. Not the rarest of traits from some 'journalists', of course.
If you want to make a difference, try and be more understanding, and pleasant. We don't charge, we don't make demands. That you get paid to do so in such a manner is an interesting, if regrettable contrast.
But thanks for the heads up reminder that we could improve if we have the resources. Given what some others get handed from the public pot to build, staff and run... and then see fizzle and die as Junkk.com endures, and is appreciated around the world, seems to be the really crazy part.
Junkk has its faults. Many. But we will either try and fix them or help overcome them to help those kind enough to use it. IF ASKED.
Addendum - Speaking of wastes of time, and as predicted, the journalist in question has responded to ask that she now be removed from the database. Happy to comply. One has to wonder what restricted bubble her readership will be exposed to on this topic, or any other. I wonder if she will sneak in a reference to Junkk.com anyway, if not in a good way? There is after all, no such thing as bad publicity. And all this will have served:)
Monday, July 04, 2011
When in doubt, reuse!
I have not written for a while.
So easy to say... 'so much to do; so little time'.
Not really true, but when push comes to shove, you prioritise.
For some reason I am happier in the shed (there is also the slim possibility of a money-making opportunity being created), especially with the sun shining.
And twitter seems to fit in with that better, though she is also a demanding mistress, if not a seductive, addictive drug. If a I miss a few hours' worth, I can convince myself I am missing the seam of gold I search for daily.
That is actually possibly accurate, but a route to madness.
So in penning this rather short post to an infrequent blog series (will try and keep the ideas topped up more, and hope the efforts are being noticed), I now practice what I preach and share this heartfelt posting, with which I fully empathise:
All change!
It is not easy, but it can still be worth it. But sometimes you have to look into the mirror, and after No.1.
So easy to say... 'so much to do; so little time'.
Not really true, but when push comes to shove, you prioritise.
For some reason I am happier in the shed (there is also the slim possibility of a money-making opportunity being created), especially with the sun shining.
And twitter seems to fit in with that better, though she is also a demanding mistress, if not a seductive, addictive drug. If a I miss a few hours' worth, I can convince myself I am missing the seam of gold I search for daily.
That is actually possibly accurate, but a route to madness.
So in penning this rather short post to an infrequent blog series (will try and keep the ideas topped up more, and hope the efforts are being noticed), I now practice what I preach and share this heartfelt posting, with which I fully empathise:
All change!
It is not easy, but it can still be worth it. But sometimes you have to look into the mirror, and after No.1.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
R & R Time!
Junkk is taking a wee break and will be back soon.
One of our other areas of interest is the wonderful world of music, and we'll be supporting First Lady Phoenix J (creator of our jingle) with her band Greenhaus on their UK tour, followed by something not quite as much of a a busman's holiday!
Of course, the Junkk flightcases are well stocked with kit to find and create all sorts of reuses as circumstances dictate:)
One of our other areas of interest is the wonderful world of music, and we'll be supporting First Lady Phoenix J (creator of our jingle) with her band Greenhaus on their UK tour, followed by something not quite as much of a a busman's holiday!
Of course, the Junkk flightcases are well stocked with kit to find and create all sorts of reuses as circumstances dictate:)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Strategic Thinking
As I write ( I may post later to let the last entry have an 'outing'), twitter is 'down'*.
Actually, it's down, out for the count and the towel is on the ring floor.
It is busted. An ex-medium. You get the picture.
I am sure it will be back, of course, but my trust factor in its reliability is further dented.
No biggie in the great scheme of things, and churlish to get too snitty about a free service, but it has set me to thinking.
Quite a lot of creative content eggs in a few baskets that I don't own, and have no control over. Not just when it comes to accidental issues, but also more direct policy ones: if the guys who own the pitch take exception, you lose not only the future, but also a ton of blood, sweat and words & images from the past.
And while twitter has inspired this introspection, I am well aware that what I am writing this via is pretty much in the same boat. And at 4,000 odd pages of thoughts and wisdom over several years, that is sobering.
Now I know that there are back-up options out there, and I really should start trying to figure out the best and engage asap, but my ITiocy does intrude.
Plus that gosh-darned laziness thing. Because, in addition, I am thinking that all source material should start at the website and radiate out (preferably automatically) from that. At least I own i, and can blame no one but myself if things get lost on its watch.
*Mashable Explains
Actually, it's down, out for the count and the towel is on the ring floor.
It is busted. An ex-medium. You get the picture.
I am sure it will be back, of course, but my trust factor in its reliability is further dented.
No biggie in the great scheme of things, and churlish to get too snitty about a free service, but it has set me to thinking.
Quite a lot of creative content eggs in a few baskets that I don't own, and have no control over. Not just when it comes to accidental issues, but also more direct policy ones: if the guys who own the pitch take exception, you lose not only the future, but also a ton of blood, sweat and words & images from the past.
And while twitter has inspired this introspection, I am well aware that what I am writing this via is pretty much in the same boat. And at 4,000 odd pages of thoughts and wisdom over several years, that is sobering.
Now I know that there are back-up options out there, and I really should start trying to figure out the best and engage asap, but my ITiocy does intrude.
Plus that gosh-darned laziness thing. Because, in addition, I am thinking that all source material should start at the website and radiate out (preferably automatically) from that. At least I own i, and can blame no one but myself if things get lost on its watch.
*Mashable Explains
Friday, June 11, 2010
A REST‘S GOOD FOR A CHANGE!
Notice anything different about Junkk.com?
We have not been idle these last several weeks, and have had a bit of a tweak with the home/splash/landing pages to, we hope, improve and add a lot more content, explanation & ease of navigation in future.
Here's a quick summary:
Overall
As mentioned, we have amalgamated a few pages in one now.
Originally, new users would 'land' at a fairly simple, 'homage' to Google's home page that aimed to seduce one and all into the many wonders of Junkk.com via a more extensive, subsequent 'home' page with site navigation bars, buttons, etc.
Now these are all in one. Still similar to the previous Junkk.com in almost every way. Just... it's a bit longer with more 'up front' now - needing scrolling to view all on offer - but, we trust, more than familiar to many other sites you use, every bit as familiar, and easily intuitive.
So, what is there...? Starting from the top:
Top Nav Bar
Pretty much the same, but as the most popular and unique feature, we've highlighted the link to ''Ideas" up there to get straight to it (do note that any as yet unregistered users will need to either accept the t&cs each time or register to view in future without reminder hassles).
All the rest of the main sections are still there in the grey bar, and hyperlinked to their pages.
Left Nav Bar
Getting all 'Web 2 and a quarter' (or .25 to our metric cousins) we have added some nice, big icons to invite staying in touch via most of the popular avenues there are these days:
email - A Feedburner invite to get email notifications of blog posts like this.
twitter - A link to the JunkkMale tweets. These mainly cover eco stuff but can wander into ads, design, music and even politics. Maybe be time for him/me to split these others off now to avoid confusion. In theory, posts here in Blogger should get auto-tweeted, but if they do I seldom see 'em, at least UK time. Maybe that's a good thing to reach audiences in other time zones.
Facebook - A link to the Junkk.com Facebook page 'Here's One I RE:made Earlier', which was originally created for a competition but can now serve as the FB Junkk.com base. With luck we can get it more active from now on. Sussing out all the FB opitions being kinda a priority, then, I guess, for me. But boy is it complex!
LinkedIn - More 'business-orientated', but still a great networking link, especially for any keen to hook up with Junkk.com more commercially.
YouTube - We have a few videos up already (some for Junk, others for related aspects), with more planned, so this is where they will be archived.
Plus there's a spiffy extra social networking set that seems to cover 'all the rest'. No clue yet ourselves what half of 'em do.
Next there is the familiar 'My Junkk' that remains unchanged, to handle your account, ideas, posts, etc on Junkk.com once registered.
RHS Nav Bar
This remains unchanged, and is for our use.
It was/is actually intended for button ads, along with banners top and bottom and a skyscraper at extreme right. We just haven't got our media sales/admin sorted out yet, and at the moment there's just some Google Adsense placements operating.
Currently there is a link to the blog (here) and to the new RE:tie (our actual patented, multi-international award-winning) second use design re:evolution.
Centre Section
All change here too, but with a few old friends returning, and with luck now glitch free.
At top is a quick summary of the site, along with a video visualisation which hopefully explains it all in a nutshell.
Next we have the welcome return of the two 'latest' update columns, whereby if a new idea or blog post is added, these become the landing page 'top news'. All of which should make for a fresh & constantly refreshing home page on a regular basis.
Then we have added a 'free text' section for us as the site editors, to offer up news that we think is worthy of front page treatment. Comprising a picture section at left, and headline/text/links to its right, this will be for such as the reuse competition we carried not so long ago.
There are, of course, opportunities for 3rd parties to ask us for a shot at this slot, which we are happy to consider... if the story, or cause is good. Or, better yet... for money:) Rent to pay, family to feed, etc. As the 1st stop on Junkk.com for new and existing users, it is quite valuable media real estate.
Hyperlinked Main Section " 'Bin There, Going Here" icons
A reprise of all the main sections you may wish to scoot to.
Bottom Nav Bar
A collection of all the previous, useful, links you may need.
All bouquets welcome. Brickbats... well... happy to hear any constructive critiques to improve next time. But as many favours called in and budgets we don't have blown to get to this far... it may be a while:)
So, please... enjoy the new, we hope even more improved... Junkk.com!
Addendum: Kid... candy store. It might not progress, if not end well. I have just discovered Blogger has a new design (well, templates) feature. It may take a while to 'settle'.
Friday, March 05, 2010
CATEGORY - GREMLIN ALERT
The Junkk.com site is like a pedigree filly: mostly she flies, but every so often we're talking Shergar deadness, along with no clue why or where.
This is specially true when we 'tinker'. Hey no omlettes without eggs:)
One major problem is that she was created on a very old platform (cutting edge in its day) and scripts have moved on. Plus she is now being tended by folk who did not build her (the engines won't take it Capt'n!') and are dealing with some very off dials.
Here's a list of what we know of currently:
Splash Page (the one you first land on with the video and latest blog/ideas)
Features currently disabled as it seems to be causing problems with access - looking into wit a new design en route
Home Page (the page you end back at internally)
The new landing page for now - OK
My Junkk (the left hand Nav Bar where you can alter your settings & stuff)
Possible issues updating existing ideas via 'edit my stuff'. New text, added/changed pictures and/or URLs via the upgraded submit ideas page may cause an error message - looking into
diRE:ctory - On some browers (certainly Safari), the alphabetical search function is 'down'. The only way to view entries is by hitting 'All' and scrolling
If you find one, please... tell us here, or via info[at]junkk.com
This is specially true when we 'tinker'. Hey no omlettes without eggs:)
One major problem is that she was created on a very old platform (cutting edge in its day) and scripts have moved on. Plus she is now being tended by folk who did not build her (the engines won't take it Capt'n!') and are dealing with some very off dials.
Here's a list of what we know of currently:
Splash Page (the one you first land on with the video and latest blog/ideas)
Features currently disabled as it seems to be causing problems with access - looking into wit a new design en route
Home Page (the page you end back at internally)
The new landing page for now - OK
My Junkk (the left hand Nav Bar where you can alter your settings & stuff)
Possible issues updating existing ideas via 'edit my stuff'. New text, added/changed pictures and/or URLs via the upgraded submit ideas page may cause an error message - looking into
diRE:ctory - On some browers (certainly Safari), the alphabetical search function is 'down'. The only way to view entries is by hitting 'All' and scrolling
If you find one, please... tell us here, or via info[at]junkk.com
Friday, February 12, 2010
A rest is as good as anything for a change
Yeah, yeah.
Been off the radar a while.
Well I will be a while longer.
Only, this time, with an excuse.
Just stuck the boys on the coach, again to Germany, but this time for an exchange visit.
I hope their German improves. Signs aren't good. Last weekend I called their respective hosts and stumbled through my 'O' level best in greeting. In both cases there was a pause, followed by a polite 'Would it be easier for you if we spoke in English?'.
Anyhoo. They are gone for the week. So the missus and I are too. First romantic getaway in 14 years.
But also a time for us to reflect on stuff, especially where are are, and going.
I am a chunk to be on the future Junkk.com. And RE:tie.
There are a few more awards pending, plus some irons in fires.But profile doesn't pay the rent.
I think some more tweaks on what folk 'get' when the land at Junkk.com are required, especially with all that such as twitter can lead to.
But at it's core it will be unchanged, and I am not sure it needs to..
Packaging Update
Well, I share your bias, obviously. And your enthusiasms, too.
And if the growing Junkk.com archive is to be a guide, many others do too, especially when it comes to the potential of margarine tubs.
One might wish imaginations might run wilder, mind, from those sparking ideas to those building them in for second use.
I am also amazed how coy many who have got a great story to tell, and share, are.
For instance, on that nice, big red, Celebrations container I bought my kids for Xmas is tucked away that it can be reused in the microwave or freezer.
How cool (or hot) is that! Yet, as far as I am aware, merely popped on a label at the side.
No effort to coordinate those in the community who may have one and not need it with one who doesn’t and has a use.
Oh, hang on…
Been off the radar a while.
Well I will be a while longer.
Only, this time, with an excuse.
Just stuck the boys on the coach, again to Germany, but this time for an exchange visit.
I hope their German improves. Signs aren't good. Last weekend I called their respective hosts and stumbled through my 'O' level best in greeting. In both cases there was a pause, followed by a polite 'Would it be easier for you if we spoke in English?'.
Anyhoo. They are gone for the week. So the missus and I are too. First romantic getaway in 14 years.
But also a time for us to reflect on stuff, especially where are are, and going.
I am a chunk to be on the future Junkk.com. And RE:tie.
There are a few more awards pending, plus some irons in fires.But profile doesn't pay the rent.
I think some more tweaks on what folk 'get' when the land at Junkk.com are required, especially with all that such as twitter can lead to.
But at it's core it will be unchanged, and I am not sure it needs to..
Packaging Update
Well, I share your bias, obviously. And your enthusiasms, too.
And if the growing Junkk.com archive is to be a guide, many others do too, especially when it comes to the potential of margarine tubs.
One might wish imaginations might run wilder, mind, from those sparking ideas to those building them in for second use.
I am also amazed how coy many who have got a great story to tell, and share, are.
For instance, on that nice, big red, Celebrations container I bought my kids for Xmas is tucked away that it can be reused in the microwave or freezer.
How cool (or hot) is that! Yet, as far as I am aware, merely popped on a label at the side.
No effort to coordinate those in the community who may have one and not need it with one who doesn’t and has a use.
Oh, hang on…
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Radio Silence is Golden... for a while
Just to say the Junkk empire is off on hols.
Gremlins permitting, the site should tick over while we're gone.
And the blog will be a tad thinner perhaps, though Dave of Solarventi might be able to plug the void with his as always worthy shares.
We might be in range of a WiFi spot on occasion, so you never know, the odd post or tweet might yet sail in.
And upon our return, we hope to share the joys of camping and driving an LPG car round France.
The only thing I am pre-dreading is the in-box here upon my return.
Au revoir!
My last task is to point you at the latest newsletter, and now to hit... post.
Gremlins permitting, the site should tick over while we're gone.
And the blog will be a tad thinner perhaps, though Dave of Solarventi might be able to plug the void with his as always worthy shares.
We might be in range of a WiFi spot on occasion, so you never know, the odd post or tweet might yet sail in.
And upon our return, we hope to share the joys of camping and driving an LPG car round France.
The only thing I am pre-dreading is the in-box here upon my return.
Au revoir!
My last task is to point you at the latest newsletter, and now to hit... post.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Handling the competition
More of a Friday musing.
The competition has been extended a few times, and well worth it as a few new entries have been added.
Thanks to some site/RE:tie distractions I hope more will yet come as I promote a bit more and get the tardy next newsletter out.
But I have noticed that the world and his/her dog is on holiday. As we will be soon.
So I am pondering yet another extension, this time to take in September, and the return to school and work. Plus the splash page is disconnected as we try and solve the clash error.
Can't see why not, and at least I am letting folk know of progress. A few bigger, better funded, and higher profile efforts I have gone in for/shared here have simply evaporated... or done the same.
The competition has been extended a few times, and well worth it as a few new entries have been added.
Thanks to some site/RE:tie distractions I hope more will yet come as I promote a bit more and get the tardy next newsletter out.
But I have noticed that the world and his/her dog is on holiday. As we will be soon.
So I am pondering yet another extension, this time to take in September, and the return to school and work. Plus the splash page is disconnected as we try and solve the clash error.
Can't see why not, and at least I am letting folk know of progress. A few bigger, better funded, and higher profile efforts I have gone in for/shared here have simply evaporated... or done the same.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)