CityBlogz Design Studio / Blog

Can you guess what my profession is based on this Wordle image?

Some of you may not know, but for the past 1 year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of working on IBM’s Smart Business Platform (BBP) as a GUI developer. Now I get to focus on other assignments (i.e. Rochester International Association’s website redesign work). CTG the contracting company that helps me find work is looking for future job opportunities. Since I’m really interested in webdev and mobile, it seems logical that I’d be targeting mobile webdev positions/contracts. I do have leads, and I am currently evaluating my options. Stay tuned.

Here’s an update on the web redesign project under way for Rochester International Association.  These are some logo designs that we are currently brainstorming.

Looks like I am approved to get started on redesigning the Rochester International Association website. It’s been about 4 years since it’s last redesign. This is how the website looked like before 2004.

I have some interesting ideas for it:

• Instead of the blog as the front page, redesign front page to simplify navigation and accessibility.
• Split up into 6 themes according to what are the most requested information: World Festival, Your Country, About RIA, Blog, Events Calendar, Memberships.
• Shiny new logo
• About RIA - Allow people to easily find photos, and other promotional materials. Without exposing personal information, add a directory of current board members and a way for people to contact them.
• Your Country - Enable people to easily find resources and news based on a specific country.
• Memberships - Add ability to renew or join membership online. Add a way to accept credit card donations online via PayPal or Google Checkout.
• Link to Facebook group page for RIA

I can finally speak about the project that has completely taken over my life for the past year. Project Bluehouse or Blue Business Platform is the official codename in the press release. Essentially, “IBM Lotus Foundations is a new family of software servers currently planned to provide the essential software that companies with five to 500 employees need to run their business.”

Things are still being worked out, but I have already pitched the idea of integrating this server management piece with the iPhone (now that the iPhone SDK is officially out there).  Unfortunately, things at IBM go at a glacial pace, and I have yet to hear much about my idea coming to fruition. Well, here’s hoping they seriously consider it.

It’s been a really busy September for me. Work has been good. I finally got a laptop from IBM. I have wi-fi access on it, so I can finally enjoy working from the outside. However, the weather is getting colder and I probably won’t be able to enjoy it as much here in Rochester Minnesota when October comes around. My school studies at UoP has been going in stride. That has kept me up most nights till midnight trying to keep up with participation and homework. On the weekends, I am helping out my friend at Bizwaretech.com on a project called Espressotec.com.  This has taken up my weekend time for the past 2 weeks now. Basically, I have no life at the moment. Also, I manage to have just enough time to be webmaster for a local non-profit group Rochester International Association. Ahh.. I need a power nap right about now.