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Location: Heber City, UT
Since what I’ve created here is much different from what I had before, I’m going to give you a quick tour of the new site. First, you’ll notice that things might take some time to load. That’s because instead of being coded using Dreamweaver, Always Forward runs on Joomla, which is a PHP/MySQL database-based program. This allows me to update the site from anywhere I have an internet connection, or even just from my phone. Joomla is behind most of the cool features of the site. It’s also open-source, which means anyone can download, use, and even modify and sell it.
Okay, so now for the tour.
We’ll start at the front page… this is basic. You’ll usually find the five most recent articles here, whether they are press clippings or from my blog. I originally had my MMS photo gallery (more on this later) on the front page, but it would take too long to load for those with slow connections.
On the right side, you’ll find in the first column different ways of finding content: by blog category, chronologically, or by location. I’ve tagged most of the articles with where I posted them from, in case you’re a geography nerd like me. At the bottom of the first column, you’ll also find a list of the most recent comments visitors like you have posted site-wide (excluding the forum). On most every article page, at the bottom of the text, there is a box for visitors to type in comments. Please note that there will be a delay between when you submit the comment to when it is posted. Every comment has to be approved by the administrator. And, I’m the administrator. Usually, I’ll approve it within an hour or two since all my e-mail is forwarded to me Blackberry.
In the second column, you’ll find some recent stuff about what I’m doing. First, there’s a really cool Google Map plug-in that will show where I am. Well, not really where I am exactly, but where I’m living. Or, at least, the town I’m in. So, if you’re really trying to find me, sorry this doesn’t connect to my phone’s GPS tracking device. Underneath my location, you’ll find the music I’m listening to and what books I’m reading. I thought that would be interesting for all the music fans and book lovers out there. I’m always interested in new things to listen to and read, so maybe my listings will give you some ideas.
Finally, at the bottom of the second column, you’ll find my favorite feature, the MMS Blog – come to think of it, maybe I should move this somewhere more noticeable than the bottom of the second column… Here’s the functionality of using my phone to update my site comes in. Basically, I send an e-mail from my Blackberry, and the contents of that e-mail will appear here. Unfortunately, at this time, I can’t get these to appear in the main section. As for quick updates, notes on what I’m doing, and random ideas, this will be the place to find them. Who really has time to write down little ideas at their computer or laptop these days? Even though I’m only 24, I usually end up forgetting them by the time I get home. So now, I can send these things into cyberspace from anywhere I get cell phone reception.
At the bottom of the front page, you’ll find the most popular articles and a short note about what Always Forward is all about. Plus, perhaps my second favorite – why are my favorites at the bottom? – is the conservation tips brought to you and my site by Brighter Planet. These are little things that you can do to save yourself some moola and spare the atmosphere some carbon. I’m not a tree hugger. I’m a practical environmentalist. I know that most people won’t go more out of their way than recycling their bottles and cans to save the world. But, if it will save them money, they’re all for it – so long as someone suggests it to them. What the apathetic majority does has a far greater impact on the world than the crusading minority. Environmentalists might heed that idea when approaching their neighbors with blatant criticism and disrespect. But now I’ve diverted from the tour…
At the very top of the page, you’ll find a link to my resume (this is my personal site, after all) and to my contact page. I don’t have my e-mail listed on the website, but if you fill out the form, it will be forwarded by the server to my personal e-mail. There’s also a search field at the top of the page, in case there’s something specific you’re looking for.
So that’s the front page. Most of the items discussed above hold true for the entire website, such as the two columns on the right side, the footer with various info, and the header and search field.
Now, onto the different sections.
The About Me section has some biographical info as well as my results from my life as a biathlete. There’s also a description of why I chose Always Forward as the name of my new site and a page with some of my favorite websites. I’ve thrown a tentative schedule up to, in case you’re wondering about my plans.
The Blog section is quite obviously my blog. The blog is divided into a number of different categories. I’ll update this about once per week with various stuff.
The Gallery section holds all of my photos and videos. Well, actually, there are only a dozen photos stored on my server itself. All of my real pictures and videos are housed over at Flickr. What you see on these pages – and the reason why they take some time to load – is forwarded to the server and you from Flickr. If you want to see the larger version of the images, then click on the link and check them out in my Flickr gallery. You can leave comments there, too, if you’d like. Check out the MMS Gallery for the latest images. I post pics to this gallery via my phone.
The Biathlon section contains various information about the sport of winter biathlon. I’ll update this section in the early fall with the latest schedules and information from the IBU. Don’t know what the IBU is, then look it up in my biathlon glossary! And, instead of stuff about me in the right column, you’ll find the latest updates from U.S. Biathlon, Fasterskier.com, Tim Burke, and Lowell Bailey via each of their RSS feeds. There’s also a forum within the biathlon section for people to post their questions, find the latest information that I’ve obtained, and buy/sell equipment. I’d like to post biathlon shooting range rules and notices here as well. The forum is also where I hope elite athletes will be able to be provided with information on tentative schedules, selection criteria, and team nominations.
The Writing section is made up of articles that I’ve written for print publications or the internet as well as press written about me, generally in my role as an athlete.
So that’s the tour of the new Always Forward. I hope you enjoy it. Give me a shout with your comments, criticisms, or suggestions. Alternatively, just post them below using the comment feature. FYI, though I have to approve comments, I’m not going to censure them unless they are profane, insulting, or blatantly disrespectful of someone. I believe in the good of free speech. If you speak your mind at me, even if it’s critical, even if it makes no sense, well, you deserve to have it at least posted. Having said that, positive comments are appreciated, too!
Brian
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