Mavenous Studios A coding project of Dustin Hansen HOME

A somewhat different Lexical Presence

Posted on February 10th, 2010 by Dustin Hansen

The Apology

Well now, this is different, yea? For those of you coming here expecting to see the Mavenous online dictionary, my sincerest apologies. I've decided to take Maveno.us on a new journey. I have kept a backup of the old dictionary site, and, with enough requests/threats, I will put it back up in a different capacity. Again, my deepest apologies.

The Idea

For those of you that know me as a programmer, this is probably what you expected to see if ever you've ventured onto this site. I've felt like the mechanic who's car is always broke down due to there only being 19 hours in the day I'm allowed to remain awake. I've gone through literally 20+ designs for this site, and finally realized that my OCD will never allow me to be completely happy with any design I come up with, so I need to go a different route.

I've decided to make a compromise and put up what I have, and create a series of articles which chronicles the progression of this site.

The Catalyst

I figure you can't get any closer to providing real world examples, than to show the incremental process of a site live-time. I want this site to not only be a repository for reference and knowledge, but even more so, a catalyst that provides an all encompassing platform from which to fully understand the lessons I'll (hopefully) be able to provide.

Throughout the eleven years I've been learning web design, I've soaked up all the knowledge I could, from any source I was able to find. Historically, I've been able to retain information that was gained from in-depth examples that allowed you to get your hands covered in the guts of the code. Sometimes it's messy, but after you've showered off, and had time to digest what you just disassembled, it seems that is what stuck with me the most.

Anyhow, that is what I hope to bring to the party. I want to provide the type of information that I was privy to back in the late 90's when I was first jumping in the deep end of the pool. We didn't even have lifeguards back then. Okay enough with the damn grandpa jokes.

No seriously, knock it off; it's already bad enough coping with the fact that I'm nearly thirty years-old, I don't need you harping on me too.

The Deal

Here's the thing, I don't believe in censorship. I will never censor any of you, so long as what you have to say is productive to the task at hand, and of at least some minute amount of merit. I will never delete or edit a post simply because you said fuck, goddamnit, or cowabunga. I care more about what it is that you have to say, rather than how you say it. I'm more than willing to help those that are willing to help themselves, and I will do so with at least a modicum of respect.

I'm still trying to work out a good format for which to accomplish all this, and hopefully it'll be one that is conducive to learning, and of value to at least someone. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it may be a bit sporadic around here for a while, but that's how I roll.