Web Projects
Testimonial
David's help has been invaluable in growing our organization. In a few short months, we grew to over 175 members. We could not have done this without the data management system David built for us. His responsiveness and expertise have allowed us to nimbly navigate the rapid growth of our organization. We simply could not have done it without him.
— Bryan Miller, chairman Democratic Professionals Council
Over the past few years, I've turned my experience as a technology magazine editor (which included a stint at Internet World in it the glory days of the dot-com boom) into a business developing Web sites, primarily for community groups and small businesses in South Florida.
My basic take on what's wrong with many Web sites, whether for small businesses, political campaigns, or community groups is that they tend to suffer from being poorly maintained and infrequently updated, often advertising "upcoming events" from months gone past. I call these "Front Page specials" after the Microsoft Web design tool because an outdated site is often a symptom of relying on a Web designer who created a pretty Web site but doesn't have time to update it frequently. The webmaster becomes the bottleneck because no one else can post those updates.
So I try to provide my clients with the means to update their own Web sites, if that's what they want to do, by simply entering a password and filling out a form. In other words, maintaining your Web site shouldn't be any more difficult than using Yahoo! Mail. For example, I have a standard form for adding events to an events calendar, and when the event date goes past that listing automatically expires off the Web site. Not rocket science, but it can make a big difference.
Democratic Professionals Council
This Palm Beach-based organization is part Democratic club, part business networking association. Beth Anne designed the logo, and David provided the functional framework for the club organizers to maintain the site themselves and to handle email broadcasts and online RSVPs. As of mid-2006, the DPC is sending email notices to more than 8,000 people and getting hundreds of people at its events in Palm Beach County, while beginning the process of launching other chapters.
See www.democraticprofessionalscouncil.org
Economic Forum of Palm Beach County
Here's Palm Beach group, this one focused on business and economics rather than politics. So I designed the Web site around images of currency, with navigation buttons that change from $10 to $50 bills when you hover your mouse over them.
See http://www.economicforumpbc.com
Scott J. Brook for Mayor of Coral Springs campaign Web site
Worked closely with the candidate and his campaign team on a Web site that contributed to Scott's election victory in March 2006, with 58% of the vote. The Web site was designed to be tightly aligned with the email broadcasts promoting events and appealing for voter and volunteer participation. Interactive features included a volunteer registration form and a "Tell a Friend" feature that Web site visitors could use to email events notices and other material from the Web site to their own contacts.
Scott J. Brook for State Senate campaign Web site
Before Scott entered the Mayor's race, I also worked with him on a campaign for State Senate.
Venetian Isles Community Association
Copywriting, Web site design, and Web application programming project for our neighborhood association. Using the PHP scripting language and MySQL database, created applications to allow residents to sign up for an email broadcast list, submit applications to the Architectural Control Committee, and update the information provided to the security guards. The property manager for the association can also use a password-protected section of the site to create email news bulletins and post meeting notices.
BlueBroward.org
A community Web site formed by heartbroken John Kerry campaign volunteers, following the 2004 election. Aims to help Democratic volunteers organize themselves better for future campaigns. Volunteers create a profile including the issues that are important to them, the skills they can offer to a campaign, and the hours they are most often available. Candidates seeking grassroots support can register with the site. Other features include a Web calendar that members and campaigns can post events, and members can subscribe to email notification about new events.