Bristlecone Web

1. Files are stored locally AND on the web.  This means faster access, and no risk of data loss.
2. Synchronize files among as many machines as you want
3. No waiting for file transfers...all work is done in the background
4. Efficient data transfer; DropBox sends the delta (the part that changed) only.  If you're working with large files (Photoshop files for example), this will really speed up the process
5. Low cost (or even free) and no server maintenance.

1. Comfort with basic changes to code (PHP and HTML)
2. A DropBox account (Free or Paid version is fine)
   
3. A Joomla website
   
4. Installed ChronoForms component for Joomla (Free or Paid version is fine)
5. DropBox Uploader (this tutorial written using v1.1)

1. Place the dropbox uploader (DropboxUploader.php) to the root of your website.  (something like: http://www.example.com/DropboxUploader.php)
2. In the Joomla Administrator, go to chronoforms and create a new form.
3. Add the following to the "form tag attachment": enctype="multipart/form-data"
   
4. Insert the following for the "form html" :<?php
   if ($_POST) {
   require 'DropboxUploader.php';
   
   try {
   // Rename uploaded file to reflect original name
   if ($_FILES['file']['error'] !== UPLOAD_ERR_OK)
   throw new Exception('File was not successfully uploaded from your computer.');
   
   $tmpDir = uniqid('/tmp/DropboxUploader-');
   if (!mkdir($tmpDir))
   throw new Exception('Cannot create temporary directory!');
   
   if ($_FILES['file']['name'] === "")
   throw new Exception('File name not supplied by the browser.');
   
   $tmpFile = $tmpDir.'/'.str_replace("/\0", '_', $_FILES['file']['name']);
   if (!move_uploaded_file($_FILES['file']['tmp_name'], $tmpFile))
   throw new Exception('Cannot rename uploaded file!');
   
   // Upload
   $uploader = new DropboxUploader(" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ", "YOURDROPBOXPASSWORD");
   $uploader->upload($tmpFile, "uploads-INSECURE");
   
   echo '<span style="color: green">File successfully uploaded!</span>';
   } catch(Exception $e) {
   echo '<span style="color: red">Error: ' . htmlspecialchars($e->getMessage()) . '</span>';
   }
   
   // Clean up
   if (isset($tmpFile) && file_exists($tmpFile))
   unlink($tmpFile);
   
   if (isset($tmpDir) && file_exists($tmpDir))
   rmdir($tmpDir);
   }
   ?>
   <input type="file" name="file" /><input type="submit" value="Send Your File!" />
5. Change the " This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " and "YOURDROPBOXPASSWORD" to the login for your dropbox account
6. You should also notice that uploads will be placed in the "uploads-INSECURE" folder.  You can change this, but you should have something that alerts you that the file came from your website
   
7. There is an option to change the "FORM URLS" in chronoforms.  You will need to change the "SUBMIT URL" to the url to this same form.  So, if you name your form "upload", the submit url would be: /index.php?option=com_chronocontact&chronoformname=upload
8. Try it out! 
   

• If you don't see a "file successfully uploaded" or "file not uploaded" notice when you submit the form, then you need to make sure the "Form Urls" are pointed correctly (Step 5)
• File upload size is still limited by the capabilities of your webserver.  You should contact your hosting provider to determine the maximum file size you can post by PHP

• Using the original uploader script, you could allow visitors to upload to their own dropbox accounts
• You may choose to force SSL to help ensure security of the uploads
• Password protecting your upload form may be important to reduce spam, or only allow trusted people to send you files
• Use the email to dropbox script to completely rid yourself of annoying file attachments!
  

• Layered navigation, allowing customers to browse without the restrictions of a rigid category structure
• Manage Multiple Sites through a single installation
• Extremely search engine friendly, including search friendly urls
• Product attributes are set to unique products, allowing precise inventory control, management, and unique SKUs
  
• Content management system to publish landing pages, custom banners, promotions, etc
• Abilty to associate products as recommended accessories, as well as the ability to up-sell and cross-sell products
• Multiple shipping addresses within a single order for gift shops, as well as the ability to offer custom gift messages on a product
• Advanced, customizable, and moderated product rating system
• Integration with many payment systems including Google Checkout, Paypal and many others

Denver Magento Support

1. You send us a check for our web development services
2. The check is received by the automated receiving facility.
3. The check is deposited electronically to our bank account.

• Did you know that most companies spend upwards of 30 minutes or more to receive, process, and deposit each check? Thats alot of wasted energy and resources!
• A check sitting in a mail pile isn't good to anyone.  Faster deposits mean better fund availability for us and faster invoice updates for our clients.
• Less overhead and managerial duties means we have more time for our clients!

• All mail is completely secured.  In fact this is the same type of service that most utility companies (phone, power, cable, etc) use for their collections.  Many would argue that this system is the most secure way to delever funds.
• The Check21 Act, signed into law in 2003, allows all checks to be deposited electronically.  Whether the bank deposits electronically, or we do, the effect is the same.  By utilizing the electronic deposit, we can share the same advantages the banks have had since 2003 without any risk to you.
• Bristlecone Web has not moved to a village in Oregon.  The address is simply where the receiving facility is located.

The story is all too common; your business just got scammed by a 'web developer' and is afraid to move on.  It could be a small timer who got away with a few hundred dollars, but we've heard of some making off with TENS of thousands of dollars.  Some cases may fall into a 'gray area' where a developer simply couldn't deliver up to the customer's expectations, while others could be considered flat out FRAUD.  The web design and development industry often parallels the construction industry, and all too often a home owner finds out that they lost their life savings to a incapable contractor.  Unfortunately, there just isn't a way to know who is 100% qualified to complete a project.  But the good news is that there are some easy ways to reduce your risk, and ensure your project is a success.  Clearly the most simple answer is to hire Bristlecone Web as your developer!  Unfortunately we are often booked out several months and cannot accept every project, but we still want to help those that may not be able to hire us.

5 warning signs to look out for:

1. Single item (non itemized) estimates / proposals. If a developer can't break down the cost for each portion of the site, then it is quite likely that the developer a) doesn't understand your needs b) hasn't fully considered the scope of the project c) intends to draw income elsewhere.  None of these are acceptable.
2. Making your check out to an individual. If the business isn't incorporated or is simply using a DBA, odds are that you are dealing with an amateur.
3. Website sale only $499! The business is either very high volume, or something shady is happening.  This company would have to do 100 websites just to make $50K.  Subtract cost of business (phones, rent, utilities, website hosting, advertising, taxes, etc.) and they are down to around $20K.  So at best this organization could afford a single employee working at near poverty level.
4. No online portfolio. Most every successful web development company will have a web portfolio and/or recent projects.  This is a great resource as it not only showcases some of their work, but also gives you some good insight into their experience.  Visit the websites in the portfolio and click around, and if you want to go even further, see if those sites have a contact form and ask them if they had a good experience.  This is faster, easier, and usually invokes a more genuine response than asking for references.
5. Payment Structure. Some firms ask for half or all of the project to be paid up front.  This gives the firm little incentive to complete the project on time and as described.  In fact it gives them little incentive to finish at all!  The payment structure should be reasonable.  Clearly the  firm must protect itself from companies that are attempting to acquire a website that they cannot afford, but the firm must also demonstrate its committment to getting the project done per the client's specifications.  Generally, 10%-30% may be reasonable with additional payments in accordance with milestones or a timeline.
   

5 signs that you have found a winner:

1. Content Management System. Modern developers employ the power of content management systems to serve as a platform to deliver the website.  Those that don't are going to cost you more money and more frustration.  It is like building a house out of straw instead of brick.
2. Search Engine Friendly from the ground up. Some firms specialize solely in search engine optimization.  Other firms consider themselves more of a design studio and don't give search engine optimization much thought.  Still others claim to be experts when they are not.  The bottom line is that search engine optimization is not a magical hat that pops out a #1 website on Google.  It also isn't something that can be easily fixed later on if done incorrectly from the start.  If your website is not bulit correctly, it could be very expensive to fix, and sometimes requires the entire site to be scrapped.  The development firm should be able to tell you how they build a search engine friendly site and give examples.
3. You can manage your own site. Many firms have a business model that is strongly oriented around forcing the customer to use the firm for any updates to the website.  Suppose you need to update your business hours for the holidays.  Will you need to spend $100 for a simple request to change your hours?  Or are they suggesting that you use dreamweaver or other expensive and complicated software to manage your site?  Although you may not want to manage your site, the point is, shouldn't you at least have the option?