Project Organization

[xadrian]

Ok, so now that I've found the Ning site and am totally in love with how easy it is to use and how much information we can put here, I'm seriously considering looking into forwarding the main site here and possibly the blog as well. I can set up redirects from both places to point here, and then use the main site for any pages I can't add here like maps and sign up sheets.

These are all just ideas at this point. I'd like to create a nice banner image for the top and possibly spend a little cash to get a premier account so I can get rid of the Google Ads and put the Project Wonderful ads over on the right.

I'd also like to get a new sign up system done by the time the book is available (which should be soon.) I'm not sure if I need to do the form mailer like last time or a forum volunteer sign up. Here's my original idea, see what you think.

The sign up page (where ever it lives) will have the regular stuff on it - name, address, email, website - but it will also have a list of current charities and the projects associated with it. When you sign up it creates an entry in a database so I don't have to manually move the emailed information to a document. Problem is, I'm not a web programmer, I know enough html and css and java to break things. (see the photos page)

I'd maybe like to have a list of current projects, then a button after each that says, "This project interests me and I'd like to sign up to participate." Clicking it takes you to a form where you put in your info. Might be easier.

But where to put all this? I don't know enough about Ning yet to be able to have a specific page with some code that will handle it, and then how to set up the needed database.

In the end I'd like some feedback about it. If you have an idea of how it should work, I'd love to hear it. I only know a couple people who might be able to help with the back end stuff, anyone else I'd have to pay. I don't mind paying them, but as a non-profit it's hard to get the funds to do that.

Discuss. And thanks.

[xadrian]

Ok. Now there are a few more people, the book is up for sale, the first volume is officially not needing anymore of my time.

Here are the next project ideas.

* 100 Artists Single - 100 pieces supporting the CBLDF and Hero Initiative (on going)
* 100 Artists Big - One sketchbook sent to 100 people, supporting Hero and CBLDF. (on going)
* 100 Artists Youth - 25 piece auction and book sales supporting the International Child Art Foundation. Must be 18 or under to qualify for this. (mail in)
* 100 Artists Digital - 50 piece digital art only books supporting maybe the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Educaiton. (print only)
* 100 Artists Moleskine - One small moleskine book supporting the Center for Cartoon Studies Scholarship Fund. (mail route)

So, what I guess I'll do is change up the 100artistsproject.com/signup.html page to have several options before you fill out your information. Easiest thing to do. That generates an email to me and I can just organize based on the email I get. It's not a pretty solution, but I don't know many database people that aren't completely busy. Plus, the traffic wasn't so bad as I couldn't handle it before.

But, I'd still like input. If you've been everywhere and have come here thinking it's confusing and whatnot, please feel free to offer your opinions. I swear I'll listen.