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October 3, 2003

So it's done—well, not really, because this kind of work is never really done, just constantly evolving. But the new site, the project I've been working on for about 3 months, and which my boss has been working on for about 2 and a half years, went live last night.

It looks like this:

It used to look something like this:

But after a few clicks, it might look like this:

... or this:

It depended entirely on the department. Now folks will know when they're on the BIDMC site, and will be able to find their way back to the front page, no matter where they are.

It was quite an undertaking, especially considering that there were about 42,000 pages of information on the old site. They created an in-house content management system to deal with all that information, and we put systems in place to keep information current.

I spent the last few weeks working on entirely new content for the Transplant Section, which is one of the most high-profile departments in the hospital, and is also the first thing called out on the front page. I put in some long hours on the project, working with a writer and the admin tools. And, amazingly, people noticed. I'm not used to having my work noticed and appreciated. It's nice.

Even though the site is live, though, I know the work has just begun. Departments are realizing that their content needs updating to go along with the new design. Which is good—it means job security for my boss, and billable hours for me.

In between those billable hours, I've discovered some very important pieces of information on the Internet. In particular, a meditation the connection between badgers, mushrooms, and African snakes. Turn on your sound before you go here:

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/21/

It's the Hamster Dance of the 21st Century!

And this is an example of why I would love to work at MIT:

When you go to their interactive campus map and click around, funny little messages appear while the image reloads. They say, for example:

Please wait
We love you just the way you are

... or:

Please wait
While a large software company in Seattle takes over the world

... or (my personal favorite):

Please wait
The server is powered by a lemon and two electrodes

Now, that's the irreverant spirit of the internet I remember. And best of all, it's on the official site of one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the world.