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Gelf Magazine
A fresh look and new features for this independent journalism mag.
Gelf Magazine had been publishing great independent media, sports and political coverage for almost two years. But when their hard work started earning them inbound links from kottke.org and Gawker media sites, they realized the site needed an overhaul to serve their increased readership.
The editors wanted to continue using Movable Type as their content management system, but with more flexible editing choices and features. Combining numerous Movable Type extensions with my own custom PHP scripts, I created an expanded control panel that allows editors to perform frequent tasks with minimal effort. The rotation of feature articles, formatting and placement of story images, and the contextual display of related articles and category archives are all completely automated.
Problems with comment spam in the past had caused the magazine to largely give up on visitor feedback. I was able to implement a solution that keeps Gelf 99% spam-free. I also provided the editors one-click control over site menus and advertising areas and numerous styling options, all while restructuring hundreds of existing articles to meet basic web standards without breaking a single article link. The standards-based redesign has increased the magazine's findability and aided in its dramatic growth. Gelf continues to publish outstanding content, with a daily readership in the thousands.
Components
- PHP
- Content Management Systems
Collaborators
- Designer Chris Vivion
Contact
2156 W Chicago Ave #3
Chicago, IL 60622
312.315.6350
Resume
PDF (71Kb)- Microsoft Word
- Plain Text
1
Created a business card for NYC-based private chef Eugene Edele.
Come 2008, I'll be working as head developer for ContentNext. ContentNext is an independent media and information company based in Santa Monica, covering the business of digital media. The company operates a number of award-winning sites including paidContent.org, mocoNews.net and contentSutra.com, all powered by Expression Engine.
Seth Bro (that's me) has relocated to Chicago. I love my new space in the Pilsen neighborhood so far, & am looking forward to many new opportunities and experiences. My old friend/new roommate Chris Keener & I plan on using the loft as a part-time gallery space as well, come spring and loosely titled "Cost of Living."
2
Have signed on to re-develop the website for Cine-file.info—a non-profit online guide to the Chicago independent film scene. Cine-file plans to expand coverage to New York City in the near future.
Blueeyes Issue #16 is out. Besides the usual collection of world-class photo essays, this month features the debut of our new "Document" section. Document looks to create discussion about issues in photojournalism, & we start by publishing an excerpt from Jim LoSalvo's new book, who has shot for U.S. News & World Report over 15 years. NYT online's design director Khoi Vinh contributed some design, as well as some kind words about the site.
Built a simple XML-driven Flash image viewer for photographer John Loomis' new site: JLPFL.
3
With designer Chris Vivion, signed on to redevelop and combine the professional sites of freelance photographers Eric Larson and Jenny Larson. The new site will feature custom integration with Photoshelter.
With photographer Colin Webb, have agreed to develop a website for the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame, based in Washington, MO.
Put together the album art for Grass is Greener—the new album from Columbia hip hop favorites The 40 Thieves.
4
Began development on a time tracking widget for the Yahoo! Widget Engine. I'm terribly dissatisfied with the time tracking software out there. My program aims for an extremely simple, punch clock interface, but with versatile export and reporting options.
Blueeyes has been awarded first place in the News Photo Gallery category by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA). The Best of Photojournalism 2007 contest honored us for "The Naked King", an essay on the revolt against the monarchy in Nepal. The photo galleries' ease of use was specifically mentioned in the judges' comments.