Project blog for Gearshare

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GearShare Mark ii ------- LOG IN Java Code 

At this stage in the process we where working on getting a prototype to a functional level in order to be able to demonstrate how the site flowed and UI would look.

To do this in a way that would look professional, we established that having a working profile log in function would be one of the most important things to have for this aim to be accomplished. 

The way i wrote this java script was to enable us to do exactly that. 

Lines 18 ---> 31 List 4 functions that perform actions that we can call for other interactions, not just the ones they are currently linked to. This means we can re use the code functions multiple times.  EG. “SetLogInState” can be used to then show whatever the user entered in User name as the “name” txt instead of “LogOut”. The purpose being, to resemble DATA handling. 

Lines 34 ---> 45 List an action when the user clicks, “Submit” for there log in. Functions can be added in here as we like.  EG. We can plug in multiple other functions into this action. Maybe an email checker to validate users email. Or a password strength checker. It could also be manipulated to function for other buttons. Again reducing the amount of Repeating we need to do in code. 

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Visualising the Gearshare logo, font and company colour. 

#6bb3a7

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What will be hard, Mark ii

1. Creating a functioning database. Creating the front end of a website to appear functional is not going to be that hard, but the back end coding that would need to be completed for user to be able to complete tasks such as, log in, save profile information, send messages, save new passwords, upload “gear” to share and apply to rent gear. Is very hard, it will require a good understanding of SQL and will almost defiantly require Visual studios use.

1b. Visual studios use will bring its own set of problems. Starting with its a windows only program. considering that me and karl are mainly mac users it will clash with a lot of our workflow.

1c. Neither of us have any experience in SQL, so this will require learning from the beginning.

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We have been using multiple online programs to allow us to keep in contact with each other and share resources effectively.

GitHub online, is where we go to when we want to clone the GearShare Repository when we are at a new work station. It is also where we would go to add someone to the list of people who can Clone it, if we where to add someone to the team. 

Google Docs has been a great place for us to plan things, as we can both edit documents at the same time, we can brain storm while being in separate locations. It also doubles up as a great way to share resources. 

Tumblr is the place where we have documented our journey thorough the process, it has served as a good reference for us to look back at decisions we made and why we made them.

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Here is a video supporting the previous post

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This is a very well used Git Flow.

It uses 6 different branches to keep all other branches in order.

This means that hot fixes can be created in their own branch whilst developing branches can still be worked on. Whilst also working on feature branches. (Big features etc rather than small develops, which are bigger than hot-fixes.

Source: http://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/

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I’m using Mailchimp to as an online email marketing solution to manage contacts, send emails and track results. 

This is one of the first emails to send out as a “Welcome” email to inform the subscriber (who can subscribe from the website) about our future endevours.

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Practical examples of how to apply the Gooey effect by Lucas Bebber

Creative “selection” effect which I would like to incorporate into certain elements of the website.

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Free stock videos of timelapse

Find all free videos about timelapse. Pexels Videos offers a lot of free stock footage.

I’ve previously used free stock photos in the past (check the previous post on the http://www.gearshare.co.uk splash page.

I am hoping to move the main page to video content - eventually shooting my own content for the home-page however for placeholders, free stock videos will be extremely beneficial, and this website offers that free content.

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Thomas Byttebier is a freelance web designer creating minimalist and easy to use websites and user interfaces. Thomas lives and works in Gent, Belgium.

Design Talk.

Thomas Byttebier talks about how typefaces make up a lot of your design. So choosing the correct one is imporant. And in todays technological age, these typefaces can become increasingly small on mobile devices. So choosing a clear and distinguishable typeface is important. 

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This is the first user testing using https://usabilityhub.com.

This is the splash page which is currently at www.gearshare.co.uk

In this test I asked the user “Where would they go to find more information”.

I wanted to test if people would go for either a direct email approach, a mailing list or a social network.

Luckily they were all quite even with the mailing list a little bit more popular. 

However It also told me that people like to click the logo / name “Gearshare” to create information so this may be something to consider in the future.

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April Update:

I’ve just released and pushed out a quick splash page onto http://www.gearshare.co.uk.

It has the professional edge I was looking for along with the great feel of travel and photography. Exactly what I want using Gearshare to feel like.

I have also included all the socials we are beginning to operate including a mailing list.

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Cleaning up things so here is an original simple “G” logo in the varela font next to the new and improved GS logo.

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View this post on Instagram

Went camping in New Forest National Park and used the opportunity to take some really great photo content on a variety of cameras.

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The web is forever growing and is full of cool little sites like this and collecting them in one place I believe a good idea to refer to for design inspiration.

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We want the functions of the site, ie, listing gear, to be a task that is simple to go through for the user. Airbnb’s design does exactly this. There is no clutter to the site, and is clear and simple to use. We are aiming to re build a similar interface for Gearshare.

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We have improved our workflow 10 fold in the last couple of weeks. This is allowing us to code effectively as a team.

Having both worked in internships within the industry this is good practice for both of us and makes the project have a professional feel to it.