I see that it has been just over a year since I've posted anything. That can't look good. But it is. Positive spin incoming...

Version 3 of the 3ngine is in the can!

3ngine is the CMS (Content Management System) that I wrote to host and manage websites. Version 3 has been functional for the past year during its' update, however, I've been retouching and cleaning up the entire front and backend, and everything underneath.

Brief History:

Version 1, nearly 20 years ago, was a response to a need to make a [dynamic] website for a client who wished to be able to update their own content. I advocated for writing a content engine under it so the effort could be re-used.

Version 2, half as long ago, incorporated CSS for template and module formatting (where early websites generally were table / frame based). Along the way, also adding Web 2.0 elements - Galleries, Events Calendar, Mail Lists, Blogging, and more...

Version 3 is a reboot. A refresh and a deep dive to shore up support for all devices (Phones, Tablets, and Desktops). The majority of internet traffic now coming from mobile devices. If you are reading this on a desktop, grab the corner of your browser and resize the window to see how the template and content re-arrange & flow. You'll see this with most modern sites. It's a complexity that allows for simplicity - one presentation that can be viewed on almost anything. It's also a requirement for effective SEO, as Google and other indexers require and reward a consistent experience across visitors.

But now it's your turn - What can we do for you?

Searching for a new Domain Name, or "Rule Number One"...

DO NOT go to a Registrar to check to see if your Domain Name is available, ever, unless you are ready to buy it immediately.

In an all too common scenario - You have a business or idea, a solid name that you like, but you do not yet have a website. You check to see if your name is available and it is, great! So you go back to create a website and get your ducks in a row, possibly invest in printed materials, only to return later when ready to launch and find that your desired web address is taken. You even had a unique name that no one else was likely to think of. How did it happen?

It's called Front Running. Some unscrupulous Registrars unfortunately share or sell domain name lookups that are submitted to their sites. Worse than simple speculation purchases of domains that someone hopes to resell to a famous or trending entity - these are targeted grabs. What should have cost you at most $25, now has an asking price of thousands.

How do you safely find out if the domain name (web address) that you want is available? You can just type it into the address bar of your browser to see if it resolves to a live site. This is not a definitive answer but is quick while brainstorming. Next, check with an independent Whois Lookup to find out for sure.

Once you find one that you like and is unused, go ahead and buy it. You do not need to have your website finished or even started to lock in your identity. You'll have one less thing to worry about later. If you choose not to use it in the end, you simply release it by not renewing it when it expires.