Next Steps

Helene,

Once you've chosen an option, I can do backend work even in the absence of a banner. And I have time on the week of the eleventh.

Hi, Peter.

I'd like to clear things up because I'm concerned that you are misunderstanding me.

First, I'm concerned that you spent time tweaking Zephyr today. I made it clear that I need to decide which option to choose, of the three you've outlined. Zephyr is option #3 so tweaking it was pre-empting my decision to go with it. The tweaks that I mentioned in my first post today were pending my decision on which way to go.

Second, my question was whether I could continue to use Rounders for my three blogs if I go with option #2, in which they'd be embedded in a homepage wrapper. (I was not asking if I could use Rounders as a homepage wrapper--as I said, I've been considering a designer for the wrapper.)

To recap and avoid any further misunderstanding...

You said option #2, a full website, would be $800. Assuming I choose option #2, isn't that the total amount I will owe you, including the retainer and the work you've already done?

I don't understand why option #3 went up from $500, in your email yesterday, to $600-$700, later in your notes in orange on the email and also in your post today.

Please recap for me the total cost of option #2--all included--and the total cost of option #3--all included. Before I make any decision, it's important I know what's the total expense I'm looking at. I'm not mentioning option #1 since we both think it's not the way to go.

Thanks,

Helene

Hi, Peter.

Let's wait until at least Monday to move forward. I appreciate the tweaks you made today, but I haven't decided whether to go with option #2 (full website) or #3 (building on Zephyr).

Just to be clear, are you saying I can stay with Blogger for my three blogs and you can embed those blogs into the homepage wrapper of the full website (option #2)?? If so, I assume the top of the Rounders design will begin right below the navigation menu. Let me know if that's incorrect.

Thanks,

Helene

Today's Progress

It looks like we're going with some form of Zephyr. Word press is another popular blogging platform. It has pluses and minuses. Given that you've already started with Blogger, I see no compelling reason to switch.

I've addressed many of your requests. You can see them at http://www.threshold-group.com/HG/index.html

As usual, you may have to refresh the browser to see the latest changes.

Peter,

Read your 2 comments on my first post made yesterday. I've added you as an author on this blog, for 2-way communication moving forward.

Question 1: Can you send me a link to Simple II? I want to see the basic templates you are talking about for embedded blogs, before committing to using Simple II if the answer to question 2 is no.

Question 2: Can you use my existing blogs set in Blogger's Rounders format, if I go with option #2?

One reason is I'm familiar with Blogger. I'm not familiar with Simple II.

Another reason is I'd like my website to look much like the Zephyr prototype you've posted at threshold-group/HG.

The only change I'd make is, as I said, provide you with a designed banner to use on the homepage. The banner may include the navigation menu, depending on what the designer and I discuss--which I'd make sure you're aware of before it's delivered to you. This is still pending the decision to include a designer. If not, I'll just ask we build on the Zephyr prototype. Either way, decision will be made as soon as possible.

If the navigation menu remains below the banner, as it is now (instead of becoming part of the banner if I use a designer and we go that route), we'll need to make the three tweaks I've mentioned, to conform the homepage to the original document and discussion of the document: i.e. 1) align navigation menu at left with the first letter of the website title and slightly lengthen menu horizontally if needed for symmetry; 2) size the white box appropriately to house a rectangular photo and size the sidebar accordingly; 3) make the vertical bars white in the navigation menu.

Either way, we'll need to link the correct content so that both my "life in NYC" blogs link to the Lifestyle section.

Question 3: I've heard about Wordpress--if Blogger is a no, would Wordpress be a possibility, for the embedded blog pages?

I'm trying to fully understand option #2 before committing to it.

Thanks,

Helene

Peter,

Thanks for linking the blogs to Zephyr at threshold-group/HG but do you remember that actually, both "A writer's life" and "A dog's life" are supposed to link to the Lifestyle section?

The Feature articles will not be a blog but a separate web page with guest articles and PayPal buttons, remember?

When you have a chance, if you could fix the Lifestyle links, that would be great. Thanks again.

Helene