Web
I haven't really written about the web project I got myself involved in. Some of you know few details (when I'm stressing and telling you I have hours to do something).
When I was picking my courses for this year, I really wanted to take the online magazine course to write and manage the Thunderbird website. Basically, everyone would get some sort of a position on the magazine. That course was scrapped.
So, when I heard that the Thunderbird is going to be something completely different now - I jumped on the opportunity of being a part of it. I figured, I have some web experience - could come in handy.
Done and done. I'm involved - more like I'm married to this project.
Right away I got the title Web Mistress - (?) - was creeped out and loaded with demands that I learn how to program a CMS using Express Engine because the prof running the project didn't want to be part of UBC and use Typo3. We would never get anything done because UBC doesn't trust anyone making any changes to the web pages. The difference is, we actually know what we are doing. Finally, we are sticking with Typo3 with full administrative rights.
First demand: Him: Get it done in 4 to 6 weeks. (Yah, right).
Second demand: Me: Get me a programmer to do this.
For the last three or four weeks I've been working with this amazing guy who meets all my demands. Right now, it seems like I am running the show. I make the suggestions and no one refutes them. The website is turning out to be exactly what I want it to be.
I've had a great mentor over the past five years. I saw her rock and roll and take a website from nothing to something. I've learned so much from her. I saw her have great visions and carrying them through. I saw what worked and what didn't. I wouldn't be able to do what I did in the last little while if it wasn't for her inspiration. K - thank you for your influence.
With the help of the programmer we have managed to get everything working by Thursday. Thursday was d-day. Every student was uploading their articles to the CMS. It all had to work by then. At 1:30 a.m. that Thursday morning - after working on the site from 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, I managed to get the quiz plug-in working. That was the last thing and it worked! I was so proud and excited.
Thursday was crazy. We still didn't have access to the FTP server. Couldn't upload the slideshows or the photo gallery (which in the last minute, we decided to go with a different one).
The only good thing that came out of all of this is the prof realizing how much work I've been putting into this project and letting me upload my article by Monday. Phew. I needed the extension. Couldn't do two things at the same time and I love my topic and to give it 10% will suck! I want it to be perfect. (I need to stop having high-expectations. I keep saying perfect about a lot of things. The website has to be perfect. That's a huge demand.)
On Thursday everyone just kept asking questions. How do you do this? Why isn't this working? What do I do next? (I don't know applies to all three).
At one point, someone said: I don't know what we would have done without you.
Made me think: Did I get that early acceptance just because of my online experience? I didn't even get an interview! I got accepted a few days after the application deadline.
I am sure the website would have been fine without me. I am sure they would have found a fabulous person to run the show, but right now, I am going to allow the compliments pour in because I so need them. Been working so hard on this. Losing sleep and completely stressing out.
My heart started to hurt at one point and it hasn't done that in a while.
At the end, I pretty much said: I'm sending in my invoice tomorrow. I am not getting paid for any of this work. By now, I could have made enough to cover my tuition and enough for Christmas presents. I guess I am truly baking cookies this Christmas. Maybe I'll make them organic - that's Vancouverish - right.
Afterwards, a number of us met at the pub for a celebratory drink. I walked in late and guess what?! Everyone applauded. Aww. Made me blush. It wasn't just all me.
Then we went to this amazing Japanese restaurant for dinner and by the time I got home it was so late that I couldn't believe I was still answering emails.
Friday was a complete write-off.
Now: The website needs to be perfected by Thursday. That's when it has to go live. Live!
Pillow: I miss you so much!
When I was picking my courses for this year, I really wanted to take the online magazine course to write and manage the Thunderbird website. Basically, everyone would get some sort of a position on the magazine. That course was scrapped.
So, when I heard that the Thunderbird is going to be something completely different now - I jumped on the opportunity of being a part of it. I figured, I have some web experience - could come in handy.
Done and done. I'm involved - more like I'm married to this project.
Right away I got the title Web Mistress - (?) - was creeped out and loaded with demands that I learn how to program a CMS using Express Engine because the prof running the project didn't want to be part of UBC and use Typo3. We would never get anything done because UBC doesn't trust anyone making any changes to the web pages. The difference is, we actually know what we are doing. Finally, we are sticking with Typo3 with full administrative rights.
First demand: Him: Get it done in 4 to 6 weeks. (Yah, right).
Second demand: Me: Get me a programmer to do this.
For the last three or four weeks I've been working with this amazing guy who meets all my demands. Right now, it seems like I am running the show. I make the suggestions and no one refutes them. The website is turning out to be exactly what I want it to be.
I've had a great mentor over the past five years. I saw her rock and roll and take a website from nothing to something. I've learned so much from her. I saw her have great visions and carrying them through. I saw what worked and what didn't. I wouldn't be able to do what I did in the last little while if it wasn't for her inspiration. K - thank you for your influence.
With the help of the programmer we have managed to get everything working by Thursday. Thursday was d-day. Every student was uploading their articles to the CMS. It all had to work by then. At 1:30 a.m. that Thursday morning - after working on the site from 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, I managed to get the quiz plug-in working. That was the last thing and it worked! I was so proud and excited.
Thursday was crazy. We still didn't have access to the FTP server. Couldn't upload the slideshows or the photo gallery (which in the last minute, we decided to go with a different one).
The only good thing that came out of all of this is the prof realizing how much work I've been putting into this project and letting me upload my article by Monday. Phew. I needed the extension. Couldn't do two things at the same time and I love my topic and to give it 10% will suck! I want it to be perfect. (I need to stop having high-expectations. I keep saying perfect about a lot of things. The website has to be perfect. That's a huge demand.)
On Thursday everyone just kept asking questions. How do you do this? Why isn't this working? What do I do next? (I don't know applies to all three).
At one point, someone said: I don't know what we would have done without you.
Made me think: Did I get that early acceptance just because of my online experience? I didn't even get an interview! I got accepted a few days after the application deadline.
I am sure the website would have been fine without me. I am sure they would have found a fabulous person to run the show, but right now, I am going to allow the compliments pour in because I so need them. Been working so hard on this. Losing sleep and completely stressing out.
My heart started to hurt at one point and it hasn't done that in a while.
At the end, I pretty much said: I'm sending in my invoice tomorrow. I am not getting paid for any of this work. By now, I could have made enough to cover my tuition and enough for Christmas presents. I guess I am truly baking cookies this Christmas. Maybe I'll make them organic - that's Vancouverish - right.
Afterwards, a number of us met at the pub for a celebratory drink. I walked in late and guess what?! Everyone applauded. Aww. Made me blush. It wasn't just all me.
Then we went to this amazing Japanese restaurant for dinner and by the time I got home it was so late that I couldn't believe I was still answering emails.
Friday was a complete write-off.
Now: The website needs to be perfected by Thursday. That's when it has to go live. Live!
Pillow: I miss you so much!
posted by Anna Kat at 10:08 AM
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