Create Event Registration Widget For Your Website with Zoho Creator (FREE)

zoho

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a free event registration form for your website using Zoho Creator.

Step 1
Visit http://creator.zoho.com and create a new account. Upon doing so, skip to “Step 3″. If you already use Zoho products, simply login and proceed to “Step 2″.

Step 2
Once you’ve logged in you will be taken to a page to create your application. Clicked “Create New Application” (blue button right side of screen).

Step 3
Once you’ve clicked “Create New Application” you will prompted to name your application (aka database) and the form (aka table). Name the application “Registration” and the form “Events”. Make sure your application is checked as private.  Click Create Now.

create_zoho1

Step 4
Now that our application has been made as well as our first form we need to add fields to it. Zoho Creator automatically inserts a unique ID and creation/modification info so no need to worry about that. On the left side of the screen (under insert fields) click on the “Single Line” button and drag it to the events window (white area on right).

picture-3

Upon doing so you will be prompted for a label name. Label this field “Event” and click done.

You should now see your field name and field input surrounded by yellow like this. So far we’ve created an application/databases, that has one form/table, and the field labeled as Event.

field_highlight

Step 5
Now we need to create a new form (table) that will hold our registrants. Go up to the form tab and click on the down arrow and select “New Form”.

create_form

Name the form “Registrants” and click done.  Next we need to add in a field for each piece of information we want to collect from the registrant. For the purposes of this exercise I am simply going to add a field for first and last name. *Note: do not collect credit cards or social security numbers.

add_registrants

Step 6
The next thing we need to do is add events to our events form. Click the yellow/orange button called “Access this application” (top right).

access_application

You’ll be taken to a new screen with a menu on the left and form for registrants on the left.

add_registrant

We need to add some records to the events form so under home click on “events”.  Next add in the name of each event as you wish registrants to see it and click the submit button. For demonstrative purposes I’m going to add 3 events: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3. If you want to verify that your records were added click on the “events View” (left side navigation).

Step 7
Now that we have our events in place, we need give registrants the option to select an event. At the top of the page (in small print) click the link to “Edit this application”.  Next click on the Forms tab and from the drop-down menu click  “Registrants”. You should see this.

lookup

From the Insert Field area click and drag over “Look-up”. Name the label “Select Event”. Now indicate the field to be looked up (Events), and then select “Drop-down Single Select” and click done.

name_lookup

Step 8
Time to test our work.  Click the orange access button, and enter a test record. You should see all three of the classes appear in the drop down menu.

reg_submission

Verify your submissions, by clicking on Registrants View (left side of screen).

Step 9
Ok, time to get this baby on your web page. Go to “Registrants” (this is view in which you add records). Click on the down arrow next to “More Actions” and select embed in your website.

In the paragraph in green there is a “Click Here” link to access the view without login. Go ahead and do that…the paragraph background should change color and the text should read “Through this code snippet, you can access the view without login.” Your registration database/application will remain private (no one can edit it), however new records can be added via the web page.

The next row allows you to customize the form that will appear on your page.  Start with “Form Properties”. You can add a “Success Message” or you can refer people to a new page upon successfully submitting a registration file. For this demonstration I have not altered any other settings.

webform

Step 10
Copy and paste the code into onto your web page. Here’s a sample.

Need a Roster?
As the administrator you will want to of course monitor how registration is going. Here’s how to create/access a roster for each event.

Step 1
Go to “Edit This Application,” click on “Views” and select “Registrant View”. Next click on the arrow next to “More Actions” and select “Duplicate this View”. Rename it to “Event Roster” and click “duplicate”.

reg_view

Step 2
Using the menu on the left, select “Set Filters”. On the set filters screen click the blue button titled “New Custom Filter”.  Select Event should be already checked. If its not, check it.

roster

Step 3
To access the roster, click “Access this application” and go to the view “Event Roster”.  You should see a drop-down menu next to the word “Filter”. Using the drop-down menu select the course. Upon doing so you will see a list of everyone that registered for that course.

roster_detail

Extras
Its worth noting that what I’ve outlined here is the most basic registration system and roster. Should you require something more sophisticated, know that Zoho can likely handle it. Read More.

Zoho Creator: FREE Web-based Database

thumbs_up_approved

Over the past week I did some experimenting with Zoho Creator and am very pleased. As far as databases go my needs were simple. I  needed a single file system that would track information about various services I utilize.

After 5 minutes of browsing their getting started pages, which by the way is EXCELLENT, I immediately went to work creating my database. It couldn’t have been easier, and what’s really great about Zoho Creator is the fact that I can now access my information from any computer that has an internet connection.  I’m always synched!!

More Features Worth Noting

  • database creation from templates
  • create a relational database systems
  • drag and drop creation
  • automatically generates a unique ID along with creator/modifier details (name/date)
  • for more sophisticated work you can customize your views of the data, write scripts, define formulas and functions, set filters integrate with third party applications.
  • set user permissions
  • import/export features
  • embed in a website

As if all of the above weren’t enough, Zoho Creator offers the “Marketplace”, which is a  place for you to browse database systems (166) that have already been made. Most are FREE or require a nominal fee. If you like what you see there is an “Install this Application” link which upon clicked will automatically install into your account. No configuration required!!

So whether you have no knowledge of databases, or are a database guru I think you will find that Zoho Creator is an excellent FREE tool and that is easy to use and customize if you so desire.

Maintaining Your Website Portfolio

portfolio

Naturally each time you create or re-design a website, you add it to your portfolio page. I mean why wouldn’t you? You just spent all that time coming up with a perfect design, and validating your web pages. Of course you should post that badge of honor on your portfolio page, but do proceed with caution.

If you have designed a website that others will be managing, you may find that all of your hard work and meticulous efforts will fall by the waste side. It’s real easy for someone who is inexperienced to inadvertently change your HTML or CSS so that it no longer validates. Worse yet, imagine what happens when the “graphically challenged” take over a website…suddenly your banner is replaced and you’ve got a wacked out color scheme.

If you are going to post a website to your portfolio that someone else will be managing, be sure to:

  • check the site frequently to ensure the website is representative of your work (especially if you noted that pages validate for html/css/508).
  • add a note on your portfolio page to indicate that the website is currently being managed by the site owner
  • keep a copy of the site locally, so that if a perspective client points out a flaw in your portfolio you can show them that the original work was picture perfect
  • remove the site from the portfolio if it doesn’t reflect well upon you
  • remove the site if necessary

Proceed with caution when posting a website to your portfolio when you are no longer responsible for managing it!!

Understanding the Clouds

clouds

I want to take some time to explain some infamous “cloud” term(s), which you have probably heard floating around your office or the internetZ lately.

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve spent a fair amount of time reading about “the clouds,” cloud computing, and various cloud services. There’s a lot happening out there, but without really understanding the lingo, it’s hard to move to the place of formulating your own thoughts and strategies surrounding your cloud.

There are some great formal explanations out there, but many lack that basic language the “non-techy” needs when trying to grasp a new technological concept. Take for example Wikipedia. Its defines the cloud “…as a metaphor for the Internet, based on how the Internet is depicted in computer network diagrams, and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals.” Not exactly a user friendly definition or description. That said, I would like to offer up my definitions and explanations.

The Cloud. In short, the cloud is the Internet, and as Wikipedia noted, the term “cloud” is a metaphor for the Internet. The great thing about the cloud (aka the Internet), is that you can access it from different locations (for example home or work) and from different devices (laptop/phone). The requirement to accessing the cloud is an internet connection (dialup, broadband, cell phone data networks).

Your Cloud. This refers to you going to the cloud (aka the internet) to access information that belongs specifically to you. Most people already have their own cloud, but aren’t aware of it. For example, if you access your email through a web-based services such as Gmail, Yahoo, .Mac, or any other webmail services (perhaps your office offers the ability to access your email through a website), you are accessing your cloud.

Cloud Computing. A phrase used to reference the idea that people (using computers) can “work from the cloud”.

Working From Your Cloud. Most people perform the majority of their work by using software installed on their computer like Microsoft Office. A document is created or edited, and then it is saved/stored computer for future reference. As long as you have access to that computer, you have access to your files. If you need to work from home, you need to manually move your files to your home (save to a disk/email the file), and when you are ready to work from the office again, you move the file back. To work from your cloud means that you are accessing your files from the Internet, which means that your physical location is irrelevant because your files/data are located on a website. No matter where you are you can always access that data so long as you have an internet connection. Working from your cloud can look very different per person.

Exampes of Working From Your Cloud

  • As I mentioned earlier, a common way in which people are working from their cloud is to access email via webmail. By visiting a website, one can read, compose, send and delete messages through a webpage instead of downloading email messages to a computer which can cause synchronization problems and confusion when attempting to manage email from multiple locations or devices. Geek Alert: Certainly one could argue that email cloud computing doesn’t require the use of webmail, but for the purposes of providing a solid example of how cloud computing looks with regard to email, lets just say that at the very least that webmail is the most tangible explanation.
  • Another way to work from your cloud is to utilize a service (through a website) that meets your production needs. Depending upon the type of work performed there may be a service (free or fee based) that fits the bill. For example, if someone primarily used Microsoft Word or Excel, there’s a good chance that Google Docs or Zoho Docs might serve as an adequate replacement. These applications/services allow you to create, edit, and share word processing and spreadsheet documents through their website without requiring a download of use of software and ensure that you have access to the most current version of the document.
  • It’s true that some forms of cloud computing do not require the downloading of a file, or use of special software, but some do. In fact, a common way in which someone can be working from their cloud is to keep files stored on a website (usually by signing up for a free or fee based service such as Apple’s iDisk or Mozy) or some type of file sharing server. To work on a file, the file is downloaded and edited using software on that computer. When the work is complete its uploaded so that in the future, and regardless of location, the most current version of that file can be accessed.
  • The last example I will share is about collaboration. There are several free and fee *synchronous (Dimdim & WebEx) and **asynchronous (Write Board & Google Docs) web-based collaboration that allow you to share a document with meeting invitees. Sign up with a service, send out an invite list via email along with a link to a website and viola! you’ve got yourself a meeting without the need for travel.

Summary
To work from your cloud really just means that you are working with files you’ve stored on the internet, which may or may not need to be downloaded and used with special software, so that you can work from any location or device that has an internet connection while confident in knowing that you have the most current version.

WebEx Meeting Wont Start on My Mac

cisco_webex_13Are you having problems starting, or joining a WebEx meeting from your Mac? Did you perform a system update, or maybe move your user account to new computer? If so, the answer to your problem may lie within this post.

The Problem
Recently I found my browser hanging on the “one moment please” screen when attempting to start and join meetings. After reviewing the WebEx system requirements and tech support page, I immediately recognized two errors I was making. First, I was using FireFox 3 and Safari to try and join the meeting. WebEx only support FireFox 2+, and offers no support for Safari.

With the problem seeming obvious, I immediately downloaded FireFox 2 and attempted to reconnect to the meeting. Unfortunately, I was faced with the same problem. So in hopes of saving time troubleshooting I decided to contact WebEx for support. Sadly the advice I received from WebEx tech support was actually far from advice. In their words “It should work. I don’t know what else to tell you.” Frustrated, I took the troubleshooting into my own hands and found this solution to clear things right up in 3 simple steps!

The Fix

  1. Navigate to the WebEx Folder: yourcomputer>users>youruseraccount>library>applicationsupport>WebEx Folder
  2. Take the folder and move it to the trash (when you attempt to rejoin or start a meeting, the folder will be automatically be recreated)
  3. Next attempt to rejoin the meeting.

Once I completed these 3 steps, I was able to connect via FireFox 2+, FireFox 3, and Safari.

If you’ve had similar problems and/or have an alternate solution, please comment.

Good Luck.

Toodledo: FREE Task Management Tool!

Toodledo is my favorite FREE task management tool, and in my opinion it beats out other free AND fee based tools. To be fair though, I must admit that my love for the tool and positive experience only extends to individual use—I have not tried any of the collaboration features.

toodledoAbout ToodleDo
In short, Toodledo is a “to do” list you create that allows you to create a task (aka a “to do”) and then assign a description to it, a due date, as well as an organizational category (its capable of much more). I’ve been using it for a couple of months with great success, and I attribute my bliss with the tool its integration with other services/devices that work together to keep me on task and ALWAYS SYNCHED. Certainly Toodledo isn’t the only service out there offering this type of integration, but once I discovered ToodleDo the search was over as I had no need to look any further.

Benefits of This Tool

  • It’s Free (unless you opt in for the pro version which allows collaboration)
  • It’s In “The Clouds” (access it anywhere you’ve got an internet connection—your data is stored with ToodleDo)
  • It’s Always Up to Date (synched)
  • Very Easy to Use (I didn’t need to look at any of the support docs to start my list)
  • Offers Multiple Ways (services/devices) to Access Your List
  • Allows Exports (lets say your not comfortable being in “the cloud”)
  • It Even Lets You Print Your List in a Booklet Format—Too Cool!

How It Works For Me
In an effort to stay on top of my work and my personal life, I tried a variety of approaches and tools including (but not limited to) the use of paper/pen lists, Excel spreadsheets, and services such as iTeamwork (free) and BaseCamp (fee based). All of course had advantages, but none fit the bill because they limited how and when I could access my list.

The flexibility of ToodleDo’s service/device integration has been key to my happiness with the tool, but the main reason I have so much love for it is that no matter how I choose to update my list, I can see the change almost immediately regardless across all services/devices. For example, if I add or remove a to do item via my iPhone, I will see that change reflected the next time I access my list via the web or my widget. I’m always synched!!

Figuring Out What to Enable
Before you start “flipping things on”, take the time to figure out what the ideal task management tool would do for you. Consider the circumstances of when, what and how you want to access your list.

For me, I knew that at work I would probably want to access my to do list via the website because of the option to see things full screen and because of the blazing fast broadband my office offers. I also knew there would be times when something would pop into my head and I would want to quickly add a to do item without disrupting my current workflow. Additionally, I knew I would want to be able to read and add to my list from my phone, while also seeing how my to do’s stacked up to calendared meetings. Lastly I knew that I didn’t want to be inundated with constant reminders of impending due dates. Knowing this allowed me to easily determine what features to enable.

Setting it Up
To get things going, you need to sign up for an account with them. It takes less than a minute and its free (they do offer pro versions) and once signed up, you can begin creating your to do list, or you can skip right over to “Import/Export/Synch” which is where you specify the services/devices you want to integrate with including: iPhone, email, Firefox, Twitter, Google (calendar/igoogle), cell phone browsers, iCal, SMS (text messaging), CVS/XML/TXT/PDA import and export options, RSS, Apple Dashboard Widget, Netvibes, Pageflakes, Jott and TSheets. Third party vendors have also been hard at work in making sure ToodleDo will work with their services so if you want to integrate Outlook or your Blackberry (among others) you’re in luck.

To get your list to work with any of the above services, simply click on the “more details” link. ToodleDo provides great instructions on what needs to be done to get your list working with a particular service/application.

Conclusion
If you need to EASILY track what needs to be done and you want to be able to access your list (add/read/synch) regardless of location/device I suggest Toodledo especially if you want to work from the clouds. *Sign Up Now: http://www.toodledo.com

*I am not affiliated with Toodledo, nor was I contacted by them to write this piece.

Before You Put Up That PDF

PDF Icon

Here’s the request: “Please put this PDF on the website”.  This of course is a  simple task that should take mere minutes to complete, but before  that  PDF file  (or for that matter any other file type such as .doc, .xls, .ppt) goes up,  take the time  to think critically about the request, and provide some leadership regarding the placement of it whether you are the web designer or content provider.

Why Does The PDF Need To Be Uploaded?
Determine if  the content of the file serves the purpose of the site. All too often I’ve seen files uploaded to a website because someONE MIGHT want that piece of information.  Keep your site clean and provide only the most relevant pieces of information that serve your larger audience.  Avoid altering your website for the ONE person that MIGHT access it. If the PDF content is aligned with the purpose of the site you should proceed, but be sure to carefully consider where the file will be added on the site.

Adding a PDF to a site has implications for the site’s users,  so before you begin adding PDFs, consider the following 5 questions.

Is The Location Right?
If a file doesn’t quite fit the purpose of the site, then finding the right location for it can be a challenge. As a result, you may find yourself adding the file to a page where it “SORT OF”  makes sense.  When this occurs users “MIGHT” stumble upon it, but it will be difficult for users in general to know logically where to find the pdf in the future.  That said, consider again the purpose of the site. Does the content of the PDF make sense? If it does, then identify the best location for it on your site so that users will easily find it. This may mean adding a new page to your website. Don’t be lazy and just throw up file to the site!

Do Your Users Know What They Are Clicking On?
There’s nothing worse than browsing a website and then suddenly finding out that you have inadvertently started a download of a file. When adding PDFs to your site, avoid having download links as part of your primary navigation system. List your PDF files within the main content area of your site and indicate to the users that clicking the link will initiate a download (or view) of a PDF file. Example.

Is Your PDF Accessible?
Users utilizing assistive technology devices such as screen readers may find it difficult to access the contents of the PDF. There are various steps you can take to creating an accessible PDF files, but generally speaking most usability experts  will agree that PDFs are less desirable, and that regular HTML is best. You may be thinking that accessibility isn’t an issue for you or your audience, but you want may want to read up who is required to create accessible websites (inclusive of content found within any PDF file). If you are  federally funded, or funded by a state which has adopted Section 508 as state law (such as California),  you  are required to make all of your content (including PDFs) accessible. Even if you’re not federally or state funded  you may want to jump on the band wagon as Target recently settled a brought against them (they are neither federal or state funded) by the National Federation of the Blind.  Depending upon the PDF, making  it accessible can be simple, or a time consuming challenge. Therefore you may want to consider creating HTML file(s) instead, and then use the PDF file as a printable version of the page.

Can Your PDF Be Found?
As discussed earlier, determining the best location for your PDF to reside is important. It must be in a location obvious to users of your site so they can find it. But what about people who aren’t on your web site yet? Perhaps you want the content to be searchable? Before uploading that PDF be sure to do some PDF Search Engine Optimization by adding details about the document itself (author, date, description)  using Adobe Acrobat Professional.

What Would Rebecka Do?
How could I resist this question? I’ll wrap things up here by explaining how I tend to place PDFs on a site. Once its been determined that the content of that file has  to be online, I first examine where the file should go on the site.  If necessary I will make  navigational adjustments. For example, if I have a PDF of a meeting agenda but have no other information about the meeting on the website, I probably need to add some pages/navigation to my site about the meeting itself. From there, I would  include a link to the meeting agenda. Whenever possible I will take the content of the PDF and turn it into (copy/paste to HTML) a regular HTML page  that is stylized in the same way other HTML files are on the site and include a link to download a printer friendly version of the page. Example.

To conclude, before you put up that PDF make sure you take the time to ensure that the file fits with the purpose of your site, that is properly placed, that your users are aware of what they are accessing, that it’s accessible, and that the contents of your file can be found.

Web Designers Should Be Leading Clients

HTML Monkey

There are several qualities and skills you would want of a web designer, but did you know that most of those qualities extend beyond the technical skills required  of the position?  If you are a web designer, you should consider the technical skills you hold  to be  a minimum qualification in the same way an employer requires a high school diploma, or college degree as a  minimum qualification.  After all, nearly anyone with basic HTML and Photoshop skills can transform a free web design template from Open Source Web Design. You  need to stand out amongst the rest.

So who stands out amongst the rest? A leader does. A good web designer is one who can provide complete leadership over the development of the site. A bad web designer is one who merely follows client direction, and fails to notify and inform the client of potential improvements, or pitfalls. To shine above the rest, take note of the following ten points.

  1. Meet with the client (at no charge) to discuss their needs. Find out the purpose of the site and who their audience is. Determine what requirements exist….does the site have to have certain features? Determine what resources are available for the project (budget, staff time/skill). Listen and occasionally make suggestions. The client will appreciate your goodwill in agreeing to meet as well as your interest and attention to the project. Once you’ve heard the details, take the time to explain that if you are offered the opportunity to create the site that they can expect  items 2-9 from you. If you have more suggestions please post your comments.
  2. Take the time to put together a contract even if you are OK performing work without one. Preparing a contract demonstrates professionalism and provides you with the opportunity to clarify  the site’s purpose, expectations of one another, and it gives you an opportunity to sum up any verbal agreements made about how the site will be designed and organized.
  3. Create a detailed timeline, which clearly defines who will do what and when. For example, if the client needs the site complete and live in 60 days, then your timeline should reflect when their content will be to you, when they can edit your work, and when they need to have their edits back to you. Clarity is key and I dare you to be too detailed oriented.
  4. Beat the timelines you agreed upon with the client. Nothing says “you’re on it” to the client like having it done yesterday.
  5. Provide the client with a site map that demonstrates the site’s navigation and how pages are linked. Site maps on websites traditionally use an outline format such as this one, however I would strongly encourage you to take it to a more meaningful level for your client. Draw rectangles on a page and use arrows showing how pages link to each other.  Providing both formats will not only demonstrate that you are “on the ball,” but it also provides  an opportunity to confirm agreement.
  6. As soon as the client sends you content, review it. Make sure you are clear on what goes where. Identify any missing information and advise of changes to content so that keywords are inserted and properly used through the page/site. If content is late, get in touch with the client. Demonstrate that you are paying attention to the details and you know what’s coming up next.
  7. Generally speaking (unless you’ve made another arrangement) it is the client’s responsibility to provide you with proofed content (always good to clarify this in your contract). However, if you notice a spelling error, make the change and  simply notify the client. Don’t pretend to not see a problem.
  8. Offer suggestions regarding the incorporation of tools like Google Analytics, AdWords, AdSense, AddThis, YouTube, Twitter etc. and explain their value.
  9. Advise the client against bad web design requests. For example, if the client requests words be emphasized through underlines, you need to advise the client that doing so would be bad form. Additionally, if a client wants to stream a one hour video you need to let them know of the implications for the user etc.
  10. Validate your pages for HTML, CSS, and 508 Compliance. Its likely your client won’t understand initially, but once explained,  they will certainly appreciate what this means with regard to their website being widely accessible to various browsers, mobile phones, and those using assistive technology.

In that initial  meeting with the client you need to demonstrate that you are more than just a “techy”. Explain what you offer technically, but be sure to cover the points listed above. Most importantly, if you are marketing yourself as a leader you need to make sure you follow through on your campaign promise else find yourself working as an HTML Monkey through Craig’s List for $10/hr.

Subscribe to RSS Feed Follow me on Twitter!