Sensipets v2

Alright so today I deployed a new Create a Pet script. It utilizes the jQuery library along with a few plug-ins for it. I must say I'm extremely pleased with jQuery so far, after trying out the Scriptaculous and MooTools libraries I found that both of them used too much of the computer resources for older browsers. However jQuery not only keeps the resources it uses down, but also wins out when it comes to simplicity and results. I can't wait to try some of the more complicated projects out with this library :). But for my immediate checklist unfortunately the users aren't going to be able to see much for a little while. Once Create a Pet is finished being polished on my to-do list are the following:
1) Create a official 404 page
2) Change out of the home page
--- Going to be a decent redo, however I'd like to get a real designer to have a look at it)
3) Add some notes around the site for Registering
4) Start on the Staff Panel
--- I'm pretty excited about this project as well

I'm thinking that 1, 2 and 3 might be finished by this weekend (at least 1 and 3) but we'll see for sure on Monday I suppose.

Aside from that quite a few artists have come to the aid of Sensipets recently and I might start giving some sneak peaks here and there of the new features and ideas that are being worked on with Sensipets.

Please if anyone knows of a writer who is good with plots and stories of the fantasy style please have them contact me :).

Aside from that, going to start promoting a "Temp Forums" since the actual forums aren't attracting users and emails are screwing up due to being on a home server and the domain not coming across right.

Stay tuned for more updates!

• Alpha, what does it mean?


• Should I be concerned about any progress I make on the Alpha version?


• Why :8081?


• How can I get invited?


• How can I help Sensipets?

Alpha, what does it mean?
Alpha is part of the Development Stage [Alpha - Wikipedia]. It refers to the time when testers normally scour the site to find bugs. And while you'll be helping with that as well, I'm using the Alpha stage as an introduction to the users. I'm hoping that by slowly releasing invites, and working on Sensipets consistently that we will:

• Create and maintain a decent user base.


• Start by engaging the users to give input, and make sure they know this is their site.


• Allow for users to see the progress on Sensipets and also how committed the staff are.

I feel these three things will help make sure Sensipets is successful. The slow release of Sensipets can also allow me to view the trends of certain "power" users. Which I think will help me calculate what servers we will need for when we open for Beta.


Should I be concerned about any progress I make on the Alpha version?
Yes and no, users who are participating in the Alpha need to realize that the whole point is to hone the site and the database structure. And if a modification is severe enough, then yes emptying a table might be the only way. While I know this might frustrate some testers, I've come up with a reward system for all Alpha testers.

As with most things, users who start earlier will get better items/features/etc. than users who help out later. This reward system will be released as we move closer to Beta release.

Why :8081?
The reason we currently have the :8081 attached to the end of the URL, is because Sensipets is currently running off my home computer. Reason for this, is because I don't feel Alpha testing needs to be done on a hosted solution and to conserve funds it's cheaper to just run it from my own server. This allows me to have complete control of the site and environment should anything bad happen.
When we go to Beta we will be moving to a shared hosting environment and the :8081 will be removed from the URL.

How can I get invited?
If you are currently not invited, I would suggest registering first of course. Then becoming active in the Forums, start asking questions or bringing up ideas you'd like seen implemented. Through out the Alpha process we will be posting screenshots, news posts, images, etc. detailing what's happening and what we are going to be working on next. Also sooner than later a new feature will be released that non-alpha users will have access to and will also increase your standings to become a official tester.

How can I help Sensipets?
We are currently still in need of Artists, Writers, User Administrators and Moderators. While we will have a forum up where prospective Aritsts and Writers can submit their applications, Moderators and Admins will be selected from the forums active user base. So if you are going for Artist or Writer please submit your applications, and if you wish to be a Moderator or Admin see you in the forums!


This is all I have for now folks, as more questions arise I'll be updating this post!

Welcome to the Sensipets Development blog.

My name is Austin, I have a personal blog under the alias of howey , this blog will be completely for my development of the Sensipets site. I felt that a new blog was needed so that I didn't clutter up my personal life too much with this project, and also I felt that these topics didn't belong on the Sensipets site, since I feel that members didn't need to have the technologies (or future technologies), current happenings and progress on the site shoved in their face when being welcomed to the site. So this is where that will all lay.

So at the moment, I've started working on Sensipets again. I've incorporated it into a new "PHP backbone" I've developed. It basically is a branch off the MVC that many people are starting to use such as PHP Cake and Symfont. So I think that me developing my own kind of controller, gives me more control over what's happening in the backend and will further help me understand the best way to control a website, while keeping everything separate.

I've also taken Sensipets as tool to reach back into my HTML, CSS and Javascript roots. When I first received my job as a PHP developer for AutoMart.com, I quickly jumped head first into all the new happenings with PHP and systems. I'm pretty proud of myself, because now I can respond back properly when systems/networking/software development is discussed, and I'm pretty up-to-date on all three areas, however I also lessened my slack on keeping up with front-end development. However this quickly changed, when I took over the task of front-end development from AutoMart.com when I transitioned over to AutoTrader.com. So then I started investigating, and brushing up on the proper ways to use div's/span's/css properties etc. So now I'm pretty confident in that area, but Javascript was still fuzzy. I had been doing basic getElementById modifications, but all was pretty old and clunky, so then I was introduced to the AutoTrader.com UI(User Interface) Group Meetings. They have them every other Wednesday and basically go over the next-best-thing as far as front-end coding goes. That's where I was introduced to JQuery and fell in love. So I feel that with my stronger knowledge of the all around Web Development arena, I can tackle Sensipets pretty hard and with amazing new features.

I feel that Virtual Pet Sites (Neopets, Marapets, etc.) have all been pretty stagnant, it's the exact same features, with different art and different text. Boring! So let's spice it up I say, let's give the Virtual Pet Site back to the users. So my goal on this project is to allow users imagination to run wild, and for me to deliver what they want, no matter what. If there is one thing I believe, is that there is no such thing as "Can't Be Done" when it comes to web development.

So here I am, presented with this beast of a project, ready for updates? I'll start them as soon as I can. Please if you know of something new and exciting as far as web development goes, or technology period let me know! I love to learn new things :).