This is a selection of the publicly availably websites that I've worked on over the years. Naturally, I'm always proud of what I've just done and slightly embarrassed by what I did a year or two ago - I think that's a reflection on my improving standards and a general rise in the quality of tools available. Nevertheless, I'll let the good and the not-quite-so-good stand side-by-side:
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Holiday Extras
Due for launch in September 2008.
This is an experiment to see how Ruby on Rails works on a high traffic site selling airport parking. It's got to be snappy, easy to use, and look modern. Selling parking spaces isn't rocket science, but doing it better than anyone else means attention to detail and a focus on usability.
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Lemontastic
This is a new website helping businesses to promote themselves by word of mouth and through cash rewards for people who make referrals. Written entirely by me in Ruby on Rails it aims to be enjoyable and simple to use.
We've learned a lot about Ruby on Rails and even more about how a startup online community works - the drive to attract members and the use of very simple and obvious hooks to get people's attention. I wish I'd read Getting Real before we started but at least I think I get it now! (Disclosure: I part own Lemontastic Limited with Ian Fraser and Ian Marchant.)
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Hebridean Challenge
An adventure race across the Hebridean Islands, to the west of Scotland. Both Nonie and I have competed in and helped marshal this race - it's a fantastic, yet exhausting way to see some very special islands.
The site is written in Ruby on Rails and connects to a database of racers so that you can see who raced in which team. It also has a rudimentary content management system. Launched in October 2007.
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Mindstretchers
An online shop for educational materials and equipment. I wrote this in 2004 and added an online shop to it in 2007. It's written in Java. It's matured nicely over the years and, whilst I've got lots of ideas for how to improve it, I'm quite proud that it still works well and continues to increase product sales.
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Internet Microscope for Schools
Written in Java and then exported as a plain HTML site, this was written to allow distribution to schools on CD. Nothing fancy, no server side code, no javascript (we wanted it to just work anywhere). An interesting site that demonstrates that a good website is all about content (zoom in on an English Penny).
Launched in April 2005.
