Now that I have a working web directory up and running I am going to take a break from PHP to do a thorough design and usability review. While I was programming I threw up a tangled mess of mark up and CSS as an expedient means of containing my code. I didn’t think much about how it looked or how people might use it. I just wanted it to work. But, now that I have at least a modicum of functional stability I’m going to turn my attiention to form.

This is where you come in. I need as many eyes on the sample directory as possible. You don’t need to know CSS or markup. Just pretend you are looking for a business or product in Victoria. Surf around the directory and then tell me what you think.

Can you find what you’re looking for? What bothers you about the design? How can I make it easier to use?

You can post a comment below, or send me an e-mail.

Except where otherwise noted, this content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Hello there and welcome to businesspatron.ca. What you see here is the first few steps in the development of an open source web directory package. I am looking to create a simple, but powerful way to create and access hierarchical lists of information and links.

I am not a professional programmer. I am just learning as I go. In fact, I’m not entirely sure what I’ve gotten myself into. At this point, as you can see, the sample directory is nowhere near ready to be scaled and distributed as an open source software package. It has a long way to go, and I have a lot to learn. I am looking forward to it, but I will appreciate any and all help you can offer me along the way.

Here is a short list of features that must be created or improved before a stable version of the directory can be released.

1. Design and Usability – make it pretty and easy to use.
2. Administration Interface – so the directory can be maintained and customized by many different users.
3. Review and Rating System – to allow users to rate and comment on items in the directory.
4. Advertising – to allow administrators to randomly display ads from a chosen set.

If you have any expertise in any of these areas, then I invite you to take a look at my sample directory, or the latest source code, and let me know what you think. Leave a comment after any post on this blog, or e-mail me at admin[at]businesspatron.ca. I will be happy to hear any constructive criticism you might have, and I will gladly give credit for any suggestions, or programming contributions that I incorporate into the project.

Keep an eye on this space. I’ll be posting news and updates on a regular basis.

Except where otherwise noted, this content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.