Wednesday, May 27, 2015

INTRODUCING: Learning on the Log





Learning on the Log is an activity center and preschool for children with a variety of developmental delays that focuses on teaching them how to build relationships.  For many children with autism, ADHD and related disorders, summer camp and team sports are not an option.  LOTL fills that void with programs that emphasize what campers can do, rather than what they can't.



Learning On the Log - Part 1 - What is Learning on the Log? from Jim Ross, CinematixHD on Vimeo.

I learned of LOTL when I was looking for day camp and preschool options for my then-3-year-old son who has severe ADHD and sensory processing disorder which led to developmental delays.  The preschool he had been attending kept repeating how much trouble he was and was taking time and resources away from the other kids in class.  An occupational therapist recommended LOTL for preschool and for day camp.  PJ took to the program right away and his ability to function in a classroom gradually improved, as well as his willingness to talk.  To quote his teacher, Miss Wendy, "Anyone who thinks this child can't be taught can go suck it."  That was the first time I wasn't judged because my son wasn't hitting the standard milestones "on time". 

However, their original website did not convey the quality and depth of the programs.  The staff were using a DIY website builder provided by Network Solutions.  I don't care how "easy" those programs are made to appear on commercials, DIY kits are very difficult to use and get a professional result.

The new site that I built is based in Drupal 7.  This CMS allows for fine-tuned permissions for each user that has to interact with the site either as a family registering for programs or an administrator managing their content.  The theme was designed around their logo and other branding styles and is built in HTML5 and CSS3 with JavaScript to make it completely responsive.  (Give it a try on your tablet or phone - all of the content and blocks visible on your laptop or desktop can also be accessed on your smaller devices.) 

The content types were customized so that an office administrator can just add the type of information they want (front page news announcements, blog posts, the slideshow of sponsors in the bottom right corner) and it shows up where it belongs.  No one has to torture themselves figuring out how it works, just follow the steps to add the information and it just goes where they want it to go.

There is a fully-hosted e-commerce system.  First to launch is the swag shop with t-shirts and tchochkies.  Later on, this will be expanded to include an online class/activity reservation system.  That should be live and working no later than January.  Again, the facility's admin staff were instructed in how to manage the store merchandise independently, review their reports, track stock levels, etc.  The payment gateway is a combination of PayPal and WorldPay, the latter accessed via PayPal's Payflow system, acquired from VeriSign.

Newsletters are distributed via Constant Contact.  Self-hosting newsletters is more trouble than it's worth between authentication setup and spam algorithms.  That "Newsletter" box at the top of each page will start the double-opt-in process to sign up.

Other third-party integrations include Facebook (using the new Page Plugin that replaces the deprecated "Like Box"), Instagram, and Twitter.  Videos are embedded individually from YouTube and Vimeo, as well as a slideshow of videos introducing Learning on the Log on the front page.  Like all of the other content types, the staff can change the videos, including the slideshow, at any time through a custom interface created for that purpose in only a couple of steps. 

Each page has the ability to display a completely different full-width header image.  During editing, a selection of photos is available.  The admin selects the one they want to display on each page with a checkbox in only a second.  Stay tuned as more images are added to the site for use on different pages and blogs. 

The next stage has begun development.  In the final version of this site, families will be able to establish accounts and register for classes or day camp right on the site and then check out through the shopping cart already established. 

I'm especially proud of this project.  Even with all of the features, building and designing it was a one-woman job.  I hope all of LOTL's families and friends enjoy and have an easier time accessing their childrens' programs.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

If you embed your Facebook page into your website, read this update!

(Talk with your webmaster if any of this sounds like Greek.)

For years, it was possible to use a variety of methods, including IFRAMES to embed a Facebook page (or a Facebook group, if you found the trick) into a website.  You could engage your customers and draw them to your social media with a "Like" button, a scrolling view of page posts, and a list of other "Like"-ers.  A great way to draw attention to your Facebook community without paying FB for it.  ;-)

On June 23, 2015, the rules are going to change.

Facebook is upgrading their API (application programming interface) and the popular "Like Box" will disappear.

This is the message  you get if you are attempting to create a new "Like Box" for your website.


It will be replaced with the Page Plugin app.  (https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/page-plugin)

The interface that sets the size and source of the embedded box remains the same.  However there are two important differences in how the plugin displays:

1)  The width of your new "box" is set in pixels and can no longer be set as a percentage of the width of the page or sidebar where it's embedded.
2)  Embedding in your page requires JavaScript just inside the  tag and a second script in the location where you want the box to appear.  That means, no more IFRAMES or other alternative methods.

If you are using a content management system (eg, WordPress, Joomla, etc) to maintain your website and you have been using a plugin or module to embed your Facebook page, check with the developer ASAP to determine if they will upgrade their plugin to accommodate the new rules.

SDOC is in the process of evaluating all of our clients websites and upgrading their source code so their Facebook embeds will continue to appear properly.  We are manually embedding Facebook's scripts into the theme (look and feel) files without the use of modules or plugins for those customers using open-source content management systems.

There's plenty of time to make the change so give us a call or contact your webmaster ASAP to ensure your social media integrations will still look great after June 24!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays 5/14 - Introducing Kosher Options

Sponsor

 

Musical Guests and Performers

Band and Choral Performances by Teens from The Weber School
Glass Slipper Entertainment (Princesses)
The Dunwoody Mermaids (Face painting)
Dance Performance (MJCCA Dance)
Gymnastics Exhibition (MJCCA Perimeter Gymnastics)

 

Adult Beverages

 

Dinner Trucks

 

Dessert Vendors

Meet Tiffany - One of the girls who stops traffic on Mt. Vernon every day! - The Aha! Connection

Meet Tiffany - One of the girls who stops traffic on Mt. Vernon every day! - The Aha! Connection



From the AHa Cconnection:



Some warm and wonderful insights into the ladies who do the hardest job to make transportation bearable while Mt. Vernon Road is getting its upgrade.



It's not just Dunwoodians using this road.  Those who complain of traffic also point out that many on the road are headed to/from Gwinnett and Fulton counties.  If you have to be on Mt. Vernon and haven't found alternate routes during construction, pack your patience and don't take traffic frustration out on the flag girls.  Pass the message on to our Fulton and Gwinnett neighbors too. 

Friday, May 8, 2015

Bears and Plane Crashes - what else could happen in Dunwoody this week???



The next time the honchos at Peachtree DeKalb Airport or the FAA start whining about neighborhood complaints of flight paths over houses, remind them of this video.

Anyone have a picture of the Dunwoody bear?  We'll post it!



#DunwooodyBearWatch UPDATE:7:26 AM - According to Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Perimeter At Ravinia staff a bear was...
Posted by Dunwoody Police Department on Friday, May 8, 2015

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Celebrity Housing Needed in or around Dunwoody

Do you have a property where a celebrity could make themselves at home?  Want to earn some rent?

Talk to Film Friendly Georgia, a firm dedicated to matching property owners with film industry needs.




I am in immediate need of furnished temporary housing somewhere in the Buckhead, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Druid Hills, or Midtown areas (or somewhere close to these areas) for 60 days. A house with privacy, security and good sound barriers is preferred

Please reply with address and rental rate ASAP for immediate move-in.

If you have a location that fits any of these requirements please send jpeg photos under 100kb (600 x 480 pixels) as well as full ownership contact information, street address, city, county & zip to FFGpics@gmail.com

Monday, May 4, 2015