wheelbuilding with arup

version 4.2

A little bit of history about the changes to this site over the years

It’s all about the code

When I created the first version of this site I was just discovering web design and it was an excellent way to bring together two things that I really enjoyed. Since then it has gone through many incarnations but has always remained a testbed for my ongoing web design and development skills. As soon as I learn something new I try it out here. So this page is for everyone interested in the code.

I'm a self-taught web designer of only 3 years standing and learned coders will see that. I'm surprised I've even lasted this long devouring one online tutorial after another. But as the Wordpress footer says, “Code is Poetry” and I think I'm starting to come round to that way of thinking myself.

About versions 1—4

The first version of this site was built using Dreamweaver in design view. There were only four pages and it was essentially to showcase my 3-cross pre-cross method. I just remember that my shoulders were rather stiff after formatting all the pictures and I was rather proud of myself for being able to do it at all.

The second version was essentially the same as the first in terms of content but I took out all the tables and gave it the css treatment. Being new to css I couldn't figure out why some things worked and some didn't. I had no clue about browser bugs and inconsistencies. It got tweaked and tweaked to make the code more semantic along with meaning and full title tags.

Version three was about adding more content and giving it the php treatment. Mainly include statements but it was a revelation to me. Further iterations of version three introduced a new colour scheme and some elements of typography. I was quite happy with it except that the horizontal navigation wouldn't scale, which of course gave rise to version 4.0

This version has an extra four pages but a lot more going on behind the scenes. As I continue to develop my php skills there are custom functions, variables, constants, arrays and reading from text files. I was only reading about these things a few months ago. So it's a great joy to be able to put them into practise. The quote table and hub specs table have been put into text files and I only have to update those text files to add extra content to the site rather than look at any html or php.

The other main thing about this version is the design. I have designed to a precise grid and used typographic rules which have grabbed my attention lately. The css dimensions are all in ems so that the site can expand - elastic design. My very first. I worked on the look of the site first then spent time on the php side of things. It has been a great joy to conceive and achieve.

Version 4.1

I can just about build websites but how they compete compared to other websites on the interweb and how they will be found is anyone's guess. But after one of my clients suggested that I should know about this because I know how to put sites together made me curious. So I've been reading up on website optimization and trying a few experiments. Version 4.1 has more meaningful title tags and unique keyword and description tags per page. Well, almost unique. There is also a php script that strips out whitespace in the source code which makes the file a bit lighter. I have also reduced some of the image sizes and looking into the idea of having a separate sub-domain for static content. Well, apparently there are still loads of people on dial-up!

Version 4.2

A few minor changes here and there but the main thing is the addition of the Quote Calculator. Of the many inquiries that I receive from this site more than half ask for a quote. I'm not saying don't email me any more but now you have a chance to get an instant quote. I have included rim and hub prices from the most popular wheels that I have built in 2008. The prices are all current and I will aim to update them every month or so and give the date of my last update.

Now the technical part. It's a php script comprising of three sections. The first is a list of all the parts data. Next is the actual calculator where it adds up the costs of parts and works out if it's one wheel or a pair. Then the presentation part, the input view or the output. MVC in one script. All served to you in an iframe. Being an inexperienced php programmer this been an excellent learning experience.

To do list

I still have many things that I want to add to the site but if I wait until they are ready then I'm never going to get round to putting this site online.

Version 1.0 Dreamweaver table based layouts

Version 2.0 css layout & semantic code

Version 3.x php templates and typography

Version 4.0 php functions, data files, typographic redesign