John's Placement Year At Hogtronix

Thats it! Game over!

2010-07-02T04:11:00.000-07:00

Its now been a whole year since I started with Hogtronix. Very strange feeling!

Don't think anyone could ask for a better placement year...

When I started I knew odds and sods, but now I can really see how much I've progressed. I'm now able to design, build, optimise, and market websites. I've learnt the commercial process of projects, setting up businesses, and managing businesses day to day.

A year ago, I knew nothing about SEO. Or at least, nothing in comparison to what I know now. This week saw the achievement of an SEO project that's been running for the entire year I have been with Hogtronix. It was a final trophy for the shelf, knowing that we've got a BIG company to achieve on a very competitive search phrase.

I've learnt a lot about different types of businesses. Working for an agency that covers so many different skills has been a real eye opener, as I now understand much more than just web design and seo.

It's safe to say,on the major lessons learnt this year has been 'back in the day'. A phrase applied to anything from the past, that I should know already. You can call me a 'back in the day apprentice' if you like.

BIG thank you (although it's not possible to make this big enough) to the staff of Hogtronix for making me feel so welcome, and teaching me pretty much everything I now know!

Over and out.

Nearly a Year!

2010-06-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

Scarily, we're now only a week away from the end of my placement with Hogtronix. This time next week, I'll be clearing my desk before my last day! (clearing my desk mostly involving getting rid of my thousand scraps of paper I've used for making notes on)

We're hectic trying to get as much done before I go as possible! That is, until, we took the afternoon off to go and watch the England football team win yesterday. At least they won and didn't dissappoint.

This week, the Tunbridge Wells office has been joined by another Kent Student! Sinead is also studying Multimedia Technology and Design but can also speak spanish, which has been really helpful for Hogtronix as large part of our client list are from Spain!

The sun has been shining, and the UK office has been really hot! It's a strange thought that not so long ago, I would be writng a post about how I'm unable to get in due to snow! Its shows how much of an interesting and varied year Ive had!

Sun, Football and Fast UK Hosting!

2010-06-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

I think..I just summarised most of my time since my last post!

The world cup is now underway, (with a pretty poor start from the England team), the sun has been out and we've been working hard!

We've recently added our brand new Hogtronix website to our Fast UK Hosting service! Its been an interesting process and has helped my server knowledge a lot. Understanding how a variety of different servers work is important to anyone on the web industry, so you know what can work best for you.

Various other projects have been pushed on quite far. A large website project we completed recently also had a standalone SEO project conducted to aid its new launch and direction.(this project won't ever be forgotten for me due to its size, and wide range of different technologies used)

Lets hope on my next blog post...I can write about an England football team win (perhaps a little too optimistic)

John's Legacy

2010-06-07T04:02:00.000-07:00

Realising that my time with Hogtronix is fast running out, we're hectic getting loads of projects pushed on!

Last week saw the launch of the new Hogtronix website, with a funky new retro look! Needless to say, we're all pretty chuffed with it, and it's been a great way for me to learn a bit more jQuery and css trickery. It's something that I'm really pleased to have been part of, and a bit of work that I can look back on (with pride) during my next year back at uni.

We've got a healthy list of projects lined up for the next few weeks, all hopefully to be launched before I leave, so we're set for a busy month.

Not long until the world cup...too many of those silly car flags about already though!

The World Cup is nearly here!

2010-06-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Thats right, its now June and the World Cup is right at our doorstep. I've been busy keeping various world cup themed marketing efforts on the go including HTML newsletter and a competition.

June holds a certain strange feel to it, as its my last full month with Hogtronix. Preparations for University are underway, choosing modules for the new term (Managers and Organisations was my choice). Most exciting, and I do realise how geeky it sounds, is the arrival of a new computer for the next year. I figured I should double up my skills learned in the past 11 months, and apply them with brute force with a new bit of kit.

Other than playing with a new mac, and ongoing weekly work, I'm still plodding away at a Hogtronix project soon to be launched which we have all invested some quality time into. Something I'm proud to be part of, and glad that I can look back at it whilst Im at University knowing I made my little imprint on it. (its going to be so strange to be 'looking back' at my last year)

Hay fever time!

2010-05-25T05:11:00.000-07:00

Hay fever seems to just get worse year on year. Its pain ,as it's at its worst when the weather is so nice! (and the weather is NICE)

Hogtronix HQ is nice and summery today, windows and doors wide open, and the dog passed out on the floor.

Busy getting various bits and pieces out of the way. Today has so far been a HTML newsletter day. Various different ones on the go, all with a nice summer theme!

Lots of other jobs left on the list, some we are looking forward to launching really soon (hopefully a good session of launches before my departure in the first few days of July!)

Various big projects that I've been involved in from the start are in progress, which is nice to see something through from start to finish. Good sense of a 'job well done'

Should be able to get loads done this week..if I can hold back the sneezes!

I'm 21..and feeling oooooold!

2010-05-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

Thats right...im old now.

After a brilliant weekend and start to the week, today hasn't disappointed either. With a real variety of tasks, getting bits and pieces done and out of the way today seems to have flown by. It's been sunny most of the day, and the dog is enjoying having a light breeze flow in through to now, open door!

SEO is one of my priorities for this week, and today I've been busy doing a real mix of different SEO related jobs. I've been learning the process involved in inserting some clean URL code into .htaccess file of e commerce websites.. Good things to know for the future.

I've been writing and posting articles, some of which, have been quite different and interesting subjects. One of the most interesting was about Arturo Alvarez Lighting. I like to research a little into article subjects, so I'm prepared enough to write rich, quality content, instead of 'spammy' useless information.

So at Hogtronix...you really do learn something everyday!

Next time I'll post...I'll be 21...

2010-05-14T01:49:00.000-07:00

Thats right...I'm in my last few days of being 20. Bit of a weird thought!

On 'slight' reflection of the past 12 months, it's been great! This time last year..I knew the smallest fraction of what I know now (website stuff that is(i was already pretty savvy on everything else))

I realised this morning, how fast this year has gone. I can remember so clearly when I first started at Hogtronix and that was nearly a year ago! <
It's a Friday and the sun is shining! Hopefully the weather will hold for the weekend! Plus...as it's a Friday..I'm hopeful the Hogtronix MD will crack open some 'phat Westwood style' beats this afternoon!

The World Cup

2010-05-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Thats right...The World Cup is nearly upon us! I've spent some time today preparing some new projects involving various new advertising campaigns for the world cup! Nice and exciting stuff that we (obviously) don't get to do very often!

Its been a day full of a real variety of work, from updates to website, some deep php code research, jquery testing and general email etc. It's kept the day run smooth, and it seems to have flown by! I've only just looked up to reaslise it's past 5 already!

Quite enjoyed the time spent looking at php code today. Some quite new SEO friendly techniques that I hope to engrave into the back of my head by the time I leave!

Right..time to go. Dinner time ;)

Election Results

2010-05-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

Thats right...at the moment, all of those politicians are busy deciding who's going to be allowed to run the country. Obviously it's interesting....but it's starting to get frustrating to hear on the radio!

It's been a strange day covering a range of different things. Making changes to a big project we launched has been the major thing on my list! It's nice to be ending the week knowing that we've accomplished something so big!

Various other projects literally hanging on the edge of completion, and some real advances with a 'little' in-house project! << this one you really need to watch out for!

Other than that...business as usual!

Hello May!

2010-05-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

Thats right...Mays here. After a nice long weekend, we're back in the office working hard! Various big projects still on the go, with some new work in, and big advances in some of our largest projects!

Today, after a few minor 'first thing in the morning' troubles, we've been busy busy bee's. I've been trawling through some new SEO work as well as writing some articles for one of our largest ongoing SEO clients.

Early this afternoon I got the opportunity to review a potential new customer website and apply most of my SEO knowledge to writing a report on where improvements can be made (only for SEO really..with some minor coding changes). This is one of the first times I have written a detailed report like this, which I really enjoyed! It's good practice for any re-skin or SEO project, just to get to understand what you are working with.

All good skills that I'm noticing within my work...and skills that I have obviously picked up through working with some pro's!

Where has April gone?

2010-04-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a lightning quick month, last thing I remember it was mid March!

This week has been a week full spanning a hefty range of different tasks. I've been working hard on several big projects we have on the go at the moment, (one a big re-skin of an existing site) and it's been nice to see drastic movement towards the finish line with it!

Some of this week, I've been working on a top secret video project Hogtronix have on the go (you'll have to wait and see for this one). It's been a nice experience getting back in touch with video and audio work. Especially considering I didn't go anywhere near the Adobe products for it. We're all quite excited to get this announced!

Today I've been researching some SEO for a client who specialises in Hen Night Ideas and Planning so it's been an interesting afternoon for searches on Google!

We're all looking forward to the bank holiday weekend! It seems Hogtronix staff are Web and SEO experts on the weekdays, and become expert gardeners at the weekends! (quite a talented bunch really)

Huge stack of magazines...

2010-04-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Things are busy busy at the moment. Loads of projects on the move and new stuff flying in quicker than we can catch it.

Plenty of feedback still coming in from the trade show two weeks ago, which (we are all agreed on) as has really made the day worth the effort we went to.

Today has been a mixed day for me. I started with some tweeting and article posting, moved on to creating a monthly HTML newsletter, and now back on the SEO run again.

Today, in between all of the above, I also got to have a moment with wordpress (making a few minor changes for a client) which is nice to be able to adapt to a piece of software, we don't often go into much.

All of my SEO efforts for this afternoon have been for quite an interesting 'website re-skin' project where the client sells some really cool Contemporary Lighting. Nice project to be working on, with a really fresh look to a website, and I even got make a twitter background. Nice mixture of stuff, which we all enjoy!

No Fly Zone

2010-04-23T02:04:00.000-07:00

This week has mostly been all about no planes! With not only the radio mentioning it every five minutes, we have had several clients (or at least colleagues of clients)stuck abroad.

The weather has been warm (in the sun anyway) and its nice to feel like the summer is on the way. We have been busy writing summer articles and newsletters, all in preparation for an anticipated busy summer!

Various big projects have been pushed on this week! One of a our biggest involved some serious SEO which has almost been my own little project to work on. Loads of pages, all optimised to match specific key phrases.

Yesterday, I spent a lot of time on the phone (it was one of those 'phone-rings-every-five-minutes' days) and It was nice for me to notice obvious improvement in the way I managed some of the calls.

All things I'm taking a careful note of for when I come to write my placement year report!

My First Trade Show

2010-04-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

This week, Hogtronix went to the Brighton and Hove Business Show! Saying we made an impact, is an understatement. In a hall filled with pressed suits and corporate slide shows, there was us, dressed as superheroes!

Once the room got used to the idea of spending the next 7 hours or so in the same room as The Flash, Wolverine and Batgirl things got under way, and we chatted to loads of new and interesting people about what we do, and what we had to offer!

This is no doubt, one of those experiences that will stay with me for some time. Not only my first trade show, but my first trade show dressed as superhero!

We've been hectic since, with quotes flying out, and a real variety of work coming in. (its making that whole day completely worthwhile)

Other than that...it's business as usual at Hogtronix HQ!

I love being a Superhero!

2010-04-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

Today, the weather has felt the warmest so far this year! Its been a busy week so far, getting things done and dusted to carry on with the more fun projects we have on hold!

This week, we launched a client site, as well as get some designs signed off for other projects!

Today...(without giving you too many details) we took our infamous SEO ability to a new level...and really did confirm that we are Superheroes Of Search !

Look out for Superheroes on route to Brighton (from Tunbridge Wells) on the 14th of April! Don't worry! You'll see us!

Speccy

2010-03-30T04:42:00.000-07:00

I'm still getting used to my 'computer glasses'. When I remember to put them on, they're not so bad really.

This week has seen a real range of work already! Ticking things off my list today, which is always nice to do! (no doubt it'll fill up in no time though!)

Spent a significant amount of time yesterday and today resizing three galleries worth of images. It was a long process but nice to complete, and see them all working in a functional web page.

Otherwise, I'm busy doing other odd-jobs, finishing email newsletters, creating some pages for an existing site, and writing a blog.

The last few evenings, I've been working with my own website to further my css ability. It's a slow process as I try to work out problems for myself (sometimes its too easy to run for a quick google search), but bit by bit, I'm learning more!

My latest achievement is working the quite deep code of the Twitter API. It can be a bit fiddly, but theres no denying the 'AHA I'VE CRACKED IT' moment, felt good!

Work Experience

2010-03-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

This week I have been busy getting projects finished, as well as helping our work experience lad with some design and coding.

Luckily, so far, he’s picking it up well and tomorrow we should have his website up and running!

This has been not just helpful for him though. It’s been really handy for me, as I teach him various bit and pieces of what I know and let him apply it in practice.

Not only has it made me realise that I know more than I think, but its identified aspects of my work, which I don’t know as well as I thought. Exporting transparencies in images for example, is something I have managed to do plenty in the past, but never fully understood how I’ve managed it.

In between various mini tutorials on how to design, slice and code, I have been doing the last few tweaks to client projects. We even managed to launch one before the end of the day! (One which we’re very proud of too!)

Watching the enemy...

2010-03-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Today has been a busy day! Finishing off several projects, and quite a wide range of different tasks being ticked of the list.

I’ve spent plenty of time compiling our SEO library of useful information to build SEO value for several of our largest clients. The main area I have focused on today, is researching where competitors build SEO value, and what phrases and methods they have used. Simply seeing how they structure code is a way to see what is working for them, and what isn’t.

During my placement, one of the key techniques for coding, design, SEO and general business, is understanding what your competitors are doing, and seeing where they are succeeding. Only then, can you broaden your mind on what could work for you, and what you feel won’t suit you. (That’s probably the most intelligent thing I’ve said all year, even if it is pretty obvious)

T-shirt in the office!

2010-03-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

The sun today, has kept the office notably warmer than any other time this year.

After a busy weekend of gardening (Hogtronix are pretty handy in the garden as well as with computers you know!) we're busy getting things done. With targets set for the week, and all of us ticking jobs off our lists we're set to have a productive week.

I'm now working with some new, not-so-funky eye wear. Doctors orders for glasses whilst I'm at a screen for the moment. Going to take some getting used to. I keep taking them off because they feel awkward. At least they give the deceiving impression that 'I know a thing or two'.

Loads of thoughts going into University stuff at the mo. The more I think about Uni, the more I'm looking forward to going back with my new set of skills.

Back in England

2010-03-11T01:08:00.000-08:00

After a long journey home from our AGM (and a few days of being ill) I’m back in the office catching up and getting on with projects!

Our AGM was brilliant! A great experience to be with most of the Hogtronix team at once. Enjoy a little bit of sun (before the intense rain on our last evening).

It was very productive to discuss things as a group, and decide on our aims and targets for the coming months. One aim I have, is to make my html and css bullet proof, something I want, and something I will have to be strict with myself to learn.

We have several projects on the go, some in-house and some for clients. A nice and healthy mix of work to keep us entertained and busy. The next few weeks will see the completion of some our best work, and we can’t wait to launch it all!

We have busy with several clients dealing with print set up. Loads of people wanting new stationery, and many enjoying the process of a new design for their business card printing.

I have been taking some time to think about my final year project for university, and several ideas are floating around. It’s strange how this time next year…I’ll will be a week or two off of finishing uni work before my exams. I say strange, but actually…it’s quite scary!

It's Spring!

2010-03-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

Today, the sun has been out nearly almost all day making it one of the nicest days so far this year! (Very frosty start though, plenty of wrecked cars about first thing)

We're busy tidying our lists and preparing for two days of travel, thinking and beer in Gib.

Various bits and pieces on the go, clients picking up stationery, monthly updates coming in (as its a new month) and ongoing projects.

Several of our new projects, are getting underway, and we're all excited to to be coding some website and getting them back to some eager and excited clients!

Today, has been a testing day. Several tested I failed, but helped me realise further a need for skill improvement in certain areas of our work. Time management something I need direct my focus onto!

Plenty to talk about in Gib. Can't wait!

Gibraltar is getting closer!

2010-02-26T02:12:00.000-08:00

We've reached Friday, after a long and busy week!

Hogtronix have been hectic getting work completed and out the door so our lists on our return from Gib, will be has small as possible.

Needless to say, we're all excited! Don't think its just a holiday though, its our Hogtronix AGM! We will also be flying our with various bits and pieces for Spanish clients including several different packs of printed business cards.

The past few weeks I've gained a much better understanding of how our design for print systems work including both stationery and flyer design. All good stuff to get my head around!

Yesterday was spent finishing off various projects and delivering the final steps of websites to clients ready for launch!

We even finalised a HTML newsletter and looking forward to seeing that get transmitted today as well. All exciting stuff!

Where have the last two months gone?

2010-02-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

Just had that feeling, where you suddenly realise time is flying past so quick..you don't even see where it went!

Its nearing the end of February...and I can honestly say, I don't even remember the month starting (that probably has something to do with my bad memory though) The world cup will be here in no time!

This week has been seriously busy. New projects, retainer work and non-stop rain.

I have been busy today, entering several clients into UK directories. It's a long process, as there as so many time wasting sites out there, many without any pagerank or want some money from you. Still...got through a nice list!

Just need to keep up a nice level of 'work demolishing' and this week can be considered super constructive!

Funny Emails

2010-02-16T07:27:00.000-08:00

The past few days, Hogtronix staff have been kept humored by several funny email threads and helped us to stay in good moods with the continued bad weather!

We've been busy, launching various websites including our very own sister company specialising in Logo Design for Tunbridge Wells.

Its one of those projects thats been in the pipeline for a while, and feels good for us to complete and get live!

I have been busy slicing eflyers, and demolishing little jobs to keep our heads above the water. Clean lists are much nicer at the end of the week!

Looking forward to Hogtronix Team meeting in Gibraltar in March. It'll be the first time we've all been in the same country, let alone town!

Friday REEEEEEMIIIIIIIIIIX

2010-02-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

Today, seems to have disappeared quite quickly!

We had a promising client meeting, and handed over one of our big projects. We also took another one of big new projects live as well. So we can safely cross this week off as success.

I spent most of yesterday slicing websites, and came across a variety of new challenges with CSS. Div transparencies being one the harder amongst the long list of tricky bits.

Luckily...when it comes to CSS, nearly all CSS issues that anyone has ever had, are posted on help forums and user guides all over the net. It's just a case of searching and filtering through the endless amount of rubbish to find the person that explained it SIMPLY. You'd be surprised how many people don't understand how to just say things in an easy to understand way.

Anywho, our MD has made this afternoon quite enjoyable with some westwood style mixing of music. Thats how Fridays should be.

20 Years of Photoshop

2010-02-02T02:55:00.000-08:00

Thats right! In a weeks time Photoshop will be 20!

Strange how the program that played a large part in my interest of all things web, is almost as old as I am.

I have seen one the fastest turnarounds on a new project the past two weeks, from design, to build and SEO stuff starting...its been lightning quick!

We'll soon be launching a revamp on a Hogtronix service. Something we're all quite excited about. Its one of those 'watch this space' things!

At the end of last week, I sliced a layout. I noticed the speed of my work is much, MUCH quicker, and I seem to have a system (or checklist) approach to slicing and hand coding. Its nice to notice self improvement!

There's still plenty of work to do on my CSS skills tho...possibly the one thing that slows me up still...

Its getting lighter!

2010-01-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight, will the first night in a long time, when I will walk out to my car, NOT in total darkness.

Its been a cold, cold day. Nearing 5pm in the office, and it's just starting to get to 'warm'.

Its been a long day of SEO! Filling in forms online, to submit links etc to directories. I now realise how difficult it can be, and why SEO is an art; One, for the theory behind it, and Two, the patience involved in doing it!

Maintaining some twitter accounts throughout the link building has broken it up though.

Tomorrow holds even more SEO for me.But that will be some slightly different stuff injected into my day, to keep me sane!

Luckily...every five minutes or so today, has been 'Quality Street' o'clock! (chocolate never fails and keep everyone chirpy!)

SEO Technician

2010-01-25T03:53:00.000-08:00

During my months at Hogtronix as a ‘Tunbridge Wells Web Designer’, I have been on an SEO journey.

To begin with, I barely knew anything, and the three letters meant a little, but not much.

Being constantly introduced to phrases and methods used by our SEO professional (Hogtronix MD) I quickly picked up the basic concepts and used certain techniques when building a range of web based tasks.

So far, I have been involved with on page SEO, specialising in image ALT’s, META descriptions etc, and continued to develop a deeper understanding of SEO as a theory.

Listening to client meetings and phone calls has left me with some (slightly above) average knowledge of other techniques. However, it is now time to push a little further down this route.

I have spent a considerable amount of my placement learning web design and development skills (which, although still needing some improvement as with everyone) I feel more confident than I could ever have imagined when I first started.

I think it goes without saying, that I’m looking forward to learning more about SEO, and getting to grips with getting sites higher up that search engine ladder.

The New Year

2010-01-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

Its 2010, and the first few weeks of it have been manic!

Hogtronix MD holiday and heavy UK snow, produced some challenges for me!

I have been maintaining twitter accounts for clients, answering company email, still trying to get project work done! All of the above made slightly harder by the heaviest snow I have seen for some time! Still, we've been busy!

Various large projects completed or nearing completion has kept us smiling!

Its been a testing but enjoyable start to the year, and I'm seeing noticeable increase in my ability to complete work tasks. Aided mostly, by a healthy paranoia for checking work.

Our office, maybe in a really nice part of the countryside, quiet and good for getting work done, but BOY! DOES IT GET COLD!

Ice and snow seem to stick around for twice the normal time down here, and the 1/4 mile driveway becomes an impossible obstacle between the road and the office building!

The past week, I have been busy trying out some new skills in some free time. JQuery, and various CMS scripts amongst them. All of which, I am sure will benefit both myself, and the work I produce for Hogtronix.

All good stuff really!

The only car in the car park...

2009-12-30T05:08:00.000-08:00

It's that strange quiet time between Christmas and new year, and as I type, only my car is sitting in the car park. It's peaceful, and allowing me to get on with a tidy little list of things to do.

Several large projects need pushing on, and the Christmas/New Year gap is proving pretty handy! Luckily snow and ice didn't affect driving conditions this morning!

The time off has given me time to think, however, don't expect any BIG conclusions to all my thinking. I have merely been wondering about which area of web design/development to focus my efforts on.

Setting myself the target of a month from now, to have had a deep think, a practice, and a chat to a few people, as to what they think I should concentrate on. Its a tricky one, and something in which, I may, change my mind in a couple of months or years time.

The main thing I have realised so far, is that it's OK to not know exactly...but handy to have a good idea, to give yourself some structure, and style of work. I love design, but I also love the thrill of solving some code problem just as much.

I'm trying to find my niche..

Snoooooooowwww!

2009-12-22T04:36:00.000-08:00

Just a few days from Christmas, and the great British weather delivers a speed bump into the flow of the festive season.

Last week, I was suffering from a winter illness, and was hoping to come back this week, full throttle to get loads of work done!

The snow had other ideas, and has proven a worthy opponent for the past few days. With staff struggling to make it into the office Hogtronix HQ has spent a lot of time semi-closed.

The work however has kept going! The internet is not limited to one office, and has allowed us to partially continue work as normal (ish).

I have been learning the ropes of project management during the approaching Christmas downtime across the country. Finishing the projects we can, and preparing a list of work to get done as soon as the opportunity arrives.

Its safe to say, as soon as we return after Christmas, IT WILL BE HECTIC!

In a strange way, I'm quite looking forward to the challenge.

uhhhhh so i guess... (unless i get the chance to write again tommorrow)..

Merry Christmas!

Boring Blog Title

2009-12-14T03:59:00.000-08:00

I just sat down to write a blog post, and couldn't think of an interesting title for the top. Turns out, I'm quite happy with this one.

This morning has been cold! It's taken a while, but the office is starting to warm up now!

This morning has been a quite productive start to the week, with several smaller tasks on my list, ticked and out the door already.

As it's a Monday, several items get ticked off, but a few hundred more get added! As it nearing Christmas, we are pushing to get projects finished, so our clients are all clear and ready for the new year!

With Hogtronix MD's holiday fast approaching, a new diary to document and keep organised has made an appearance, and has taken pride of place on my desk. An old school, yet to-be very useful tool for keeping my mind on the right tasks!

Today, we launched a new twitter background, something we're proud to say, we're good at! Everyone here is looking forward to doing more and more!

Friday Feeling

2009-12-11T02:56:00.000-08:00

After a week of mixed tasks and events, Friday has arrived!

The puppy is busy stealing all the office heat, curled up in front of the heater leaving us to suffer with the low temperatures!

Today, Hogtronix are in 'launch mode'. We're aiming to complete and launch several projects and....so far, so good!

Yesterday, FTP trouble made finishing certain tasks difficult, and the arrival of a BT van in the car park, was the icing on the cake! (BT Van = BAD)

The past few days, we have been researching new software and techniques other agencies use to produce their work. Plenty of competing products on the market is leaving us curious as to what to try, and what ignore.

The software you choose to design, develop and deliver projects, can help and hinder the workload. I am quickly learning, your choice is very important if you are to succeed and be productive, you need to experiment and find your own way with a selection of software. The next few weeks will be a time of testing!

By the new year, I should have a good idea of what I find suits me best...quite looking forward to trying something new!

Christmas is just round the corner!

2009-12-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

A noticeable increase in Christmas related tasks is turning the Hogtronix Hartfield office into a manic festive frenzy.

With looming deadlines for the new year, huge numbers of projects are nearing completion, and keeping us on our toes!

Since my last post, there is no denying, we’ve been non-stop. Included in that time, Hogtronix MD and myself even managed to fit in a visit to Kent University, to spread some wisdom of placements and web based employment to future placement students.

Sitting down and writing lists of what I had learnt, and what I did during the job application process made me realise, how much has changed, in so little time.

It also helped me see for myself, where I needed to improve, and where my weaknesses are within my work.

Next month, without a doubt, will be a test, as I take on more responsibility within the company, and manage clients even more directly. It’s becoming clear, communication within the company is something to keep a close eye on, so I can keep my head above the water.

This month has been a ‘business learning’ month, where I been expanding my range of business vocab! Many of which seems to be Barclays buzzwords!

Not long until Christmas now, so got to dig deep and get some stuff finished. in fact…I should be doing stuff now… gotta' run!

November Rain

2009-11-10T04:32:00.000-08:00

Not the Guns N' Roses classic, REAL, WET, COLD, RAIN.

Luckily inside the office, it's just starting to get warmer! Needless to say, our work is getting hotter as well.

The beginning of this week has been busy and I'd be confident enough to say, successful and profitable.

I have been perfecting my developer skills, and plugging in new php scripts to enhance the products Hogtronix as a company can offer! This has really pushed me into trying new things, and working out what works for me, when it comes to slicing sites, and web building with certain aspects in mind. In fact, I am starting to feel like a true Tunbridge Wells Web Designer!

Giving myself a 'mental tick list' (as well as one I made in notebook) to work through when building sites means less mistakes, cleaner and more efficient work.

Its nice to stand back and notice what I have improved in since I started, and what I need to work on more.

NEWSFLASH* a Kent Uni Placement victory on the table football this morning helped kick start the day.*

Cold Cold Cold

2009-11-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

All of a sudden, its dark and cold.

The winter months are closing in fast, and Christmas is just around the corner.

It's time to start the Christmas marketing, and an obvious increase in festive tasks for Hogtronix helps prove it. Various HTML newsletters have been going out, for clients, wisely eager, to get in the game early for the Christmas rush.

There's no denying, we're busy. The last few weeks have been quite testing, but we're coping, and producing some clean, sophisticated work!

I have noticed a new level in my web development ability. I am able to produce work with much less guidance. I may not be as quick as the pro's I'm learning from, but that will come with every new project we complete.

My Web 2.0 is on the rise, as I practice in some free time to get 'my style' figured out. It's become more obvious that each designer has a style, and finding your own can be a make-or-break.

I have been concentrating and learning more on the SEO side of the web stuff too. Using various websites (coupled with special web development tools) to understand how climb up the search engine ladder is an art, which I hope I'm beginning to get my head round.

Altogether glad to be learning from the best in the field.

A Good Week

2009-10-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

We can safely say that this week hasn't been bad for us. Plenty of new work and loads of work completed.

Today we have bee re-arranging the office a little. New desks from one of our clients, new computer, and various other decorations have made the Tunbridge Wells pad even more hospitable!

All this new stuff is needed, as we continue to grow and take on more and more work. A nice mixture of work to be getting on with. One site, I even designed myself, which is nice to see it rapidly turning into a functioning website.

I have tried particularly hard this past week to improve on my checking and organising of workload. Despite a few lapses in checking, I am more confident now I am delivering work which is at a more professional standard. I don't want to blame it on being a trainee anymore, and is time to show significant steps onto the professional field.

I have noticed my CSS has dramatically improved in the past week, where I have tried hard to beat errors and problems before I ask for help, pushing myself to find where I am going wrong and correct it, all by myself. That said, sometimes it is nice to observe a pro fix that one bit of style that has been driving you mad all day, in five minutes flat.

After a long but successful week, there’s no denying how nice it is to sit here, typing a blog, admiring the gorgeous new computer screen on the desk next to me, listening to some good quality house with the sun shining through the window. Awesome.

October already!

2009-10-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

The rain outside the office says it all. The summer is very clearly gone and the rain and lack of daylight is getting ever more noticeable.

I have been embarking on some new projects, bigger and more exciting than most of the stuff I've ever done. Mostly taking on a designer AND developer role which is nice to get to try both sides of my own work.

After several long essays on Web 2.0 and learning all the phrases and theory behind it at university, I have been trying to go further with it here at Hogtronix, and push for much more Web 2.0 style design, for websites.

For the month ahead I am now setting myself clear targets that I need to improve on, mostly basic checking skills and task prioritising, something I have neglected when trying to concentrate on other things too much.

Since my last post, we have hosted a table football competition amongst the best of web design in Tunbridge Wells. Luckily teamwork was our advantage and we didn't lose a game. Crowning us: Hogtronix Tunbridge Wells Web Design Champions!

Flash - the best looking piece of software on the market?

2009-09-17T01:04:00.000-07:00

This week has been full up with a healthy mix of different tasks!

It started with some Flash work on Monday. After quite some time without even opening Flash, I quickly picked up where I'd left off, and was soon back in the right flash 'frame' of mind (you see what i did there?). Flash has to be one of the best looking pieces of software out there, when compared to the 'clunky' Dreamweaver and Illustrator. This however, has made me wonder...how geeky is it to be commenting on "how pretty the program is"? a little too geeky I think!

I have also been writing several articles for SEO links. I feel like I understand the way search engines work so much better than when I started, and can confidently write articles for the right purposes, within better time frames.

It also occurred to me whilst article writing. All of the information and subjects I'm writing about, surely makes me pretty handy to have around, in a pub quiz. Therefore never having to buy myself a drink in a pub, ever again (perhaps the highlight of my week? i think so..)

This week I have been noticing a significant difference in myself, that I'm picking up things I've learnt from my colleagues, and applying them within projects. From simple checking my work over more thoroughly, to just knowing how to prioritise my workload.

I wish I could state the same improvement with my table football ability. I believe the current score is 100,000,000 to Russell, 4 (perhaps less) to me. Its important to mention, that its' not that I'm bad, Russell is just really good.

September...already?

2009-09-08T01:01:00.000-07:00

The summer has quickly slid away..the days are getting noticeably shorter and the weather is deteriorating every day! (apart from today, its nice and sunny)

The past few weeks have been extremely busy. The launch of several websites and constant new projects coming in has kept us on our toes.

After spending some time learning the ropes with new code techniques and project management, I am beginning to get assigned more design-based work. Design, is something that has always been an interest of mine, but never a route that I have been given real responsibility in. Luckily, I am learning from the best, and is quite exciting to see my work lined up alongside professional design. Theres plenty to learn yet!

My website development skills are improving with every landing page and site update. Its something that I'm glad to be helpful and time saving with, and therefore commercially more useful. These things take time, but I'm sure I'll get there in the near future.

Our office has settled into a routine. Its efficient and clean (thanks to the latest Hogtronix recruit). We were recently, very kindly given a framed boxing autograph from one of our clients, of Joe Bugner and Henry Cooper's fight. As keen boxing fans, it will be taking up pride of place in the middle of the office wall!

With the new academic term just beginning, its feels strange, not to be packing my life into the boot of car, and moving back into a grubby student house. Then it hits me. I'll be doing that this time next year. Hopefully, by then, I'll be able to go back with a better table football score than what it currently is (its not even worth telling you how bad I'm doing, trust me)

FTP - 'Failed Tranfer Protocol'

2009-08-20T04:55:00.000-07:00

FTP and John are very nearly, not talking. A long list of 'Failed to upload' is dragging the day out!

Apart from minor technical problems, this week has been fairly productive! Several good projects finished, and various others nearing completion.

Project management is the biggest improvement for this week. Handling time, project stages and the going 'live' of sites.

I'm beginning to master creating photo galleries, producing two complicated and very fluid galleries in a day and a half. Its my new found specialty!

CMS skills are plus 20 points.
CSS is plus 10.
Table football? minus one thousand. 9:3 to the MD is the current league score, quite embarrassing really!

The Start Of Month Two

2009-08-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Plenty of new projects, and plenty of table football almost sums up August so far. No wait. It Does.

Its been hectic with plenty of different types of work to do. I'm learning the art of validation and starting to get much better at it.
My php, HTML and css is improving with every HTML newsletter, and every landing page(I've done a fair few now)

My table football...isn't improving as much as I would like. Today, I got annihilated. I'm still getting used to the 'puppy' distraction.

Lola, the new Hogtronix recruit, is settled and a week into her guard dog training. Sure, she's not very big, but she can sure rip up a newspaper!

Lost..again.

2009-08-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

My table football technique is, if I'm honest, taking a battering. This will only be for a little while. I like to think of it as 'quiet before the storm'

This week has started with a busy couple of days. Plenty to keep me occupied.

Over one hundred web pages made within two days cant be bad going, all fairly simple, but has helped me appreciate preparing projects before starting the work, which has made life much easier, especially today. New ways of using php includes is my big advance. Luckily, guidance from Spain means that I've learnt more than I have struggled.

I've created a small ad for a website, 'attempted' to submit more articles (certain websites having a 'slow day', and making some minor changes of websites.

Spelling and text formatting is my new battle. I've just got to beat my habit of

leaving gaps like this.I'll get there soon!

Nearly One Month

2009-07-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

Its getting very close to my first whole month at Hogtronix, and what a month its been. Packed full of new things for me to learn. Some of the largest being more php and SEO writing and learning how pay per click works.

This past week I have written ten large articles for an online printing company. It's been a lot to take in, I've realised new ways of writing take time to get used to, and can be simple for some subjects and much harder for others. I've picked up extremely useful tips on how SEO works, and hope to keep picking them up and producing better writing.

Today, I won table football.(I'm losing overall still though). Close match going to the final ball. Proof that SEO isn't all I'm improving with.

We're pretty well established at our new office now (more or less unpacked) working hard on maintaining the best in Tunbridge Wells at web design and SEO title!

The New Pad

2009-07-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

We moved into the new office first thing on Tuesday, and we're just about settled in now.

Its bigger, its brighter and we're pretty chuffed with it.(3 sandwich vans a day)
Even though we've been busy moving desks, computer files etc, I have been busy writing plenty of articles and code stuff.

SEO is new to me. I can admit that it hasn't come easy, but I feel that with every article, I improve, and with any luck, I'll have mastered in a week or two. Its a learning curve, something I'm going to have to get used to, and find out for myself, what I find easiest, and what i need to work harder on.

I've learnt how search engines are not what they first seem, and getting a website higher in the ranks, is NOT easy, it takes time, and several different types of links and content construction.

I have also, since my last post, been doing plenty of research into php scripting, learning how to involve more complicated pieces of code, to give plugin-type extras to already existing sites. (I'll make sure I make an update, once I've finally cracked how to implement it though)

Today the weather has been nice..but otherwise..its been a sad day...I lost at table football. No matter what anyone else tells you...the game WAS close (8-10 I believe) so there's still plenty for me to improve on there as well.

Top tip for the week? Ever get the option to buy a Foosball table, as Flat pack, or pre-assembled... CHOOSE THE LATTER.

The Internet Returns

2009-07-17T04:47:00.000-07:00

After several painfully slow-connection days, we now have some more appropriate internet speed!

The last few days, we have been busy. Several key projects moving along nicely, some finishing! New ones just starting and plenty of smaller ongoing jobs to do!

After spending some time researching some new ways to involve Polls, and sliding content into php, I feel that I have picked up some important information, and extended my current coding ability beyond what I first thought would be possible in only two weeks!

I'm starting to shave off time on each article I write, (surely must be a good thing) the style of Hogtronix writing is starting to sink in!

This will be the last few days in the Penshurst office, as we are moving in the early stages of next week! Boxes all already starting to fill up this office, but luckily the new one is much bigger! It has to be really....how else are we going to fit in a table football, bar stools and a Jakuzi? (I may have exaggerated a little with the Jakuzi)

Battle With BT

2009-07-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

The start to my second week at Hogtronix has been promising.

Plenty to learn and sink my teeth into. I have been working on improving my PHP and CSS, which (I think) is improving! Monday, I started with one page needing quite a lot of guidance. Come Tuesday, I was able to do a similar page with very few changes to be made, once I'd finished! (Improvement surely?)

I have been busy with other paperwork, and preparing letters for letterheads, setting up mail-merge and researching various things in preparation for our 'office relocate' next week!

This week however, has been hindered by constant internet trouble. Simply summed up by the letters B and T. With a ridiculously slow internet speed, website work has been tricky to say the least. The plus side, now we are more eager than ever to move to our new office next week!

In the past two days, I have started bigger projects, as well as maintaining support for other clients and venturing further and further into more technical parts of our work.

I have tried my hardest to practice…table football in some free time, so that when we set up the foosball table in our new office, I don’t get completely walked over. No doubt we will start getting some daily results to post (obviously only my wins are going to be posted…not that I always win, but why would I post losses!) so keep checking to see how many I’m winning by!

My First Week

2009-07-10T08:15:00.001-07:00

Friday has come along so fast. This week has been uber-productive. I have picked up some new tricks and skills, which I know, I can only build on. Unless I forget all of them. (It's always a possibility)

My web construction techniques have vastly improved with every minute I spend on projects.
I have always considered myself pretty fluent in slicing with Photoshop. I still am. Its fireworks that's the new bit! Me and fireworks started out yesterday morning, barely exchanging words, but now, we just about manage to get along. Just. This has been one the most important things I have improved with.

Admittedly, I have been caught out in the past few days. A few little (sometimes massive) mistakes and moments of carelessness have made me sharper. On Wednesday, I accidentally turned a client’s full online shop, into a pretty standard static one-pager. Not good by any means (it was a good one page though, perfectly sliced!)

My coding (php, java, and html) have all taken a turn for the better. Closely working with 'A GENIUS' in Spain , has left me eager to improve, little tweaks and changes, are making me notice mistakes, and errors better than before. Certain progress.

Also, I feel it’s extremely important (perhaps the most), how pleased I am with the speed of my eBay item delivery. Wasn’t expecting it until at least early next week.

It’s been a good Friday!

Day Two - The Storm Outside The Office

2009-07-07T05:38:00.001-07:00

Second day at Camp-Hogtronix!

Today has been busy, many different jobs to get done. Once, of course, I'd plugged in the coffee machine, it doesn't make much coffee until you do.

I wrote an article for a website, which has been a learning curve. Its an art, and will take some getting used to, but I'm sure I will improve as time goes on. When I say improve, I aim to be a pro.
I have also written a letter to a client, getting used to the company style of such things, so that I get more efficient the more I do it.

I started the day with a client meeting, which I really enjoyed. This will be an important part of my time here, as learning the way that I need to work through projects with clients is pretty key to all of this business lark!

Other than that, I have spent some time updating homepage information on live sites, with a little bit of image work, so all in all, a very constructive learning day. But of course with every good day comes the obvious software teething problems. Luckily the storm I've sat through most of the day hasn't hindered work. Other than the occasional glance out of the window to watch the lightening strike, what has felt like, only a few yards from the office door!

Exciting stuff!

My First Day

2009-07-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

My name is John and today, I became the latest member of the Hogtronix team! I am a student at The University Of Kent, studying, (pace yourself) 'Mulitmedia Technology and Design with a Year in Industry' and as stated starting a placement as part of my degree.

This morning, I left home, it was dry and sunny. Got to the office, rain and wind.

Luckily, the weather has not reflected my first few hours of work with Hogtronix. Unless of course, you like the rain, in which case the weather gave an excellent start to the day!

In the few hours that I have been here, I have been presented with the list of projects and aims for me to work through, and have been busy setting up my email , blog, and skype accounts!

My position is quite a mouthful, and may seem complicated. Admittedly it is baffling to begin with, but broken down is much easier to digest. I am a 'Junior Designer and SEO Technician'.
I handle both web and print projects, work remotely with other Hogtronix employees, who, so I've heard, will help me out if I find something tricky, and have become second-in-command-coffee-drinker. The last being a skill aqquired through two enjoyable years at Kent uni.

Im eager to get stuck-in with projects, and to make my mark, so watch this space!