So I had to code a weblogger for my linux administration course using perl and mysql. It took awhile, since it was my first perl project, but it's available if anyone wants the "code", which is only two cgi files and a custom logging config for apache.

screenie: http://troi.cs.wcupa.edu/~siplus/webinfo-perl-mysql.png (Will probably only be up until the end of my semester...)

"The Hosting Buffet"

Think about it. A web hosting company that let's you create your own web hosting package, using an interface that resembles an "All you can eat" buffet.

Please don't lick the sneeze-guard, though. Childern under 12 years old are to be accompanied by an adult.

Project Type: A website
Intended Audience: Business owners
Description:

Part of the latest project I've been working on is a customer management system. The customer information (first name, last name, address, phone, notes) is stored in a table of a MySQL database. Up until now, the information could only be accessed through the CMS that I've been working on.

I was talking to the customer (Boss Dude, ironically enough) about it, and he seemed to be a bit concerned about web access, primarily because of all the mouse clicking and such. Because defining shortcut keys in W3C valid XHTML isn't exactly easy, and I didn't want to even consider working with JavaScript, I decided to get a head start on the interface part of the project. I think I mentioned it before...

So, with no further delay, I present you with screenshots:

The main customer entry form
The form with some test data
The form after submitting the sample data

The customer search form
Available search filters
Searching with no filters
Filtering by first name
Filtering by last name

All of the above screenshots are of an incomplete product. I have a lot planned for this project still. The search results will be formatted all nice and pretty before it's all said and done.

A few nifty details about it:
- The data transfer is done via authenticated POST data/XML
- The server side of the equation is all handled with PHP/MySQL
- The client can be configured to connect to any server with any authentication info

I know I had sworn off .Net before, but meh. There was no easier way to do this.

Update 10:58PM :
I've added 2 new screenshots
Customer Editing
Search Customers (Improved interface)

Double clicking on a search result will load the customer from the database to the editing form. From there, the customer can be modified then saved.

Today, I was on the phone with "Boss Lady". We were discussing the current state of the company website, as I just recently added an employee "day off request" feature. She asked if I would be able to incorperate some sort of time clock for the guys at the other shop, where they don't really have the same computer system we do, and so she wouldn't have to hassle with paper time cards when she runs payroll every other week.

One thing lead to another, and I mentioned that the entire business could be run from the website, and from any computer with internet access. She was shocked (in a good way), and asked if I would really be able to put something together that would allow them to manage the inventory, the sales, payroll, and whatnot. I told her it was absolutely possible, but that it would be a rather large undertaking.

The last thing she said to me before we ended our conversation was, "Don't take this idea lightly. I really want to do it and I think you could make a very profitable product with it."

Okay, so I just came to a conclusion: I've gotten too old too quickly. I'm coming up on year #24 that I've lived on this planet, and I really haven't done anything yet.

Instead of just sitting back and whining about it, I'm going to do something about it. As a result, here are my goals for 2006:

- Get into a better career (Planned for June)
- Move out on my own (Should happen about the same time)
- Meet new people
- Get in touch with old friends
- (Try to) Figure out this "Love" thing
- Get a haircut
- Get in shape
- Travel (Not to Cairo though, sorry.)

I'll add to this later. I'll also keep everyone posted on the outcome of everything.

Okay, this is one of my more crazier ideas...

This one is a game. The game starts out, dropping a character in the middle of nowhere. The character is given nothing more than a little bit of food and water, and has to stay alive.

Staying alive is the result of decision making. The initial decision is what to do: Do you stay put and try to find enough sustainance to survive and build a new home, or do you try to navigate your way to civilization? When civilization is found, how will they receive you? Do you fight back when met with resistance?

This idea could be taken off into infinity, and could actually be a somewhat cool game. It'd be almost a combination of role playing, puzzle, and strategy.

Yes, I'm very bored right now.

Move over, Geek Squad. I've got an idea.

Offer short-notice support sessions for small businesses and home users, helping out with hardware and software issues.

Exmaple:
Joe Blow, small engine repair shop owner, has a computer in the shop. He is in the process of making up new price sheets in Microsoft Word, but can't figure out how to align the tabs on the right margin. Joe calls me up, explains the situation, I hop in my (t)rusty ride, drive over to his shop, assess the situation, then show him step-by-step how to do what he's wanting. During the process, I jot down notes, and have him do likewise, so in the future he can pull those notes out and do the task again. The session takes about 45 minutes, so I charge him for an hour. He tips me, asks for cards to hand out to friends and family, and I'm on my way.

This project, relatively simple, will be a lot like a blog with a few exceptions:

1) Instead of the entire posts being displayed in a list like the blog, only the titles and ratings will be displayed. Possibly, an additional "Brief Description" field will be added and displayed with the title and rating.

2) The rating, mentioned in #1, will be the result of a ranking system. The ranking will be based on fields such as "Physically Important" (such as lowering cholesterol, etc.), "Something I've always wanted to do", "Assumed Impossible", etc. Once the rating of a goal reaches 100, the goal will be completely possible.

3) If the goal requires financial support, an "Estimated Cost" field will be added. In addition, virtual [finance] accounts will be created for each goal. As money is added to the account, the project's rating will be increased.

4) When a goal is reached, it may be marked as such. This will be the result of a simple field being toggled, such as [SQL]goal_reached ENUM('y', 'n') DEFAULT 'n'[/SQL].

I plan to add more to this in the not too distant future. If you would like to contribute anything to the planning of this project, feel more than welcome!