Xplosive Concepts » Happenings

Woes of Blogging

Evan Barash — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:40:49 +0000

Blogging takes time. That’s just how it is. Whether you’re writing top-shelf Pulitzer winning articles or just a rant about your mother’s terrible meat loaf, blogging requires time and dedication. Both of which I seem to be lacking these days. For some, like myself, the trouble with blogging is not just about the time – its about the content. My life isn’t so spectacular that thousands of readers around the world want to know what kind of toothpaste I bought or how many cups of coffee I drank. I wish it were true – I drink lots of coffee per day and I have lots of little experiences every day that when singled out don’t add up to one great blog article. Nevermind a daily article – or even weekly for that matter!

Some of us blog about gadgets. Others blog about politics, world news, or celeb antics. Some even blog about blogging! Is it me, or is this blogging phenomenon maddening?

As a web developer, I respect bloggers and their influence. I respect the technology on which the blogs reside. As a wannabe blogger, I respect your time to not bore you with the mundane details of my everyday life. (I am even sorry for this blog entry about the woes of blogging

Live from Crestron Training

Evan Barash — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:39:05 +0000

I am coming to you live from a three day training course for Crestron Electronics out in Rockleigh, NJ. Crestron is one of the premier manufacturers of integrated control systems for residential, commercial, and industrial markets. What is an integrated control system you ask? Well, picture a super-awesome full color flat-panel LCD screen that you can use to control every light, every TV, or every DVD player in your house…at the push of button. Imagine lowering your blinds and dimming the lights at night to create the perfect mood for your dinner party. Imagine playing a different Beatles album in every room of your house. Drooling yet?Â I am!

A year ago, I began programming systems such as these (though not as elaborate) and I am now, one year later, ready to continue my route to becoming a Certified Crestron Programmer. Designing touchpanels and writing programs to do all that cool stuff (and so much more) is really what technology is all about.

Unfortunately I do not have my digital camera with me (or one built into my laptop), otherwise I’d share some of the incredible sights here at the training center. Last year, the hallways were painted a solid color with posters everywhere. This year, they’ve totally revamped and have installed incredible plasma screens, wall mounted touch panels, and decorative lighting everywhere imaginable.

Day one has started off great – we’ll be programming audio/video matrix switchers. SWEET! Can’t wait to see what day two holds…

I’m selling shirts!

Evan Barash — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 05:07:30 +0000

Yep. You read that right. As a side project started with my good friend Matt (what’s up man), we are designing and selling tshirts that are geared towards the collegiate beer-pong playing crowd. Haven’t heard of beer pong? Well my friend, you are missing out on one heckuva game.

Things right now are still on the down-low, so I can’t say very much. We are hoping to go to print sometime next week so hopefully things will work out just in time to make the O.A.R concerts at PNC Bank Arts Center and Jones Beach. Should be a good crowd, hopefully in need of a shirt or two.

Projecto Finito

Evan Barash — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 01:07:52 +0000

My Italian is a little rusty so for the lay-people out there, I will translate. Work has been ‘completed’, at least tentatively for my newest project for Colortone Audio Visual. I say tentatively because some of the most important pages have yet to be fully complete. A drawback yes, but a huge improvement from their previous version. What is special about this site you ask? Well I’ll tell you…

Clean and fast XHTML/CSS code – It is built for search engine friendliness and accessibility. For some reason, Safari 2.0.3 running under Mac OSX 10.4.6 renders the content pages differently than Firefox 1.5.0.4 of the same OS. Strange, I say! IE 5.0+ and Firefox seem to function as expected.
Enhanced search engine optimization and increased keyword density built into every page
Newly designed graphical interface and integrated Product catalog
Custom web inquiry forms for job and duplication services prospects
Redesigned hierachichal nav structure (search engine friendly, of course)
Fresh, crisp graphics and redesigned color scheme – get it, Color scheme…
AJAX powered photo gallery – courtesy and special thanks to Lokesh Dhakar for Lightbox 2.0

Future projects will include a monthly HTML newsletter and possible CMS upgrade. The principals at Colortone are extremely happy with the results and have gotten many compliments from new and existing customers.

I’m still waiting for that written testimonial…

A Site in Transition

Evan Barash — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 20:29:56 +0000

Welcome to Xplosive Concepts, a small but capable boutique design studio specializing in high-end website design, search engine optimization, and graphic/print design.

The last few months have seen quite an upsurge in business which have resulted in limited time to finish our long awaited redesign. As you can see, we have now moved to the world famous Wordpress blogging platform.

We are currently using a theme called Hemingway, but only as a temporary solution. I absolutely love this design for its sheer simplicity, but alas – it is only a temporary solution (read: until I have the motivation to change). Things are quite busy and so free time is both rare and precious.

We appreciate your patience over the last few months during our transition, so we thank you.