Benjamin Bruce, Web Designer
I began making websites at a fairly young age, and I can certainly say that I've learned a lot. I began with Microsoft FrontPage, and now I am hand-coding sites built with pure CSS layouts that comply with web standards. If you're not sure what that means, suffice it to say that I have truly gone from the worst way to make a website to the best.
I am currently building websites as a part-time job, so it will be a while before I have time to restructure the old sites shown below. Feel free to explore, however. Just click on one of the titles below to go straight to the website of your choice.
My Websites
The Hello Oklahoma! Project
This project of mine has the purpose of collecting greetings (preferably "hello") in all of the Native American languages spoken in Oklahoma. Although the greetings have all been found, the project is an ongoing one, as I constantly add information to the website and do more research on the languages. The ultimate goal of the project, although not yet realized, is to make a Hello Oklahoma! booklet.
Disclaimer: I am not an Okie, I am just interested in the native languages of Oklahoma. I'm proud to be a Texan!
The Herpetarium
I've been going to Camp Blue Haven every summer since I was born, and one thing that I enjoy about camp is being able to find lots of reptiles and amphibians there. In order to help my fellow campers appreciate these amazing examples of God's creation better, I've taken my snake cages to camp to keep a few for the duration of the session. The website has photos, information, as well as a printable field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of San Miguel County, New Mexico. If you like lizards and snakes, you'll like this website!
Wilderness Explorers Newsletter
For only $8 a year, you can receive Wilderness Explorers, my bimonthly magazine promoting a better understanding and love for God's creation. Primarily focusing on nature in Parker County, Texas, Wilderness Explorers features full-color photographs of wildlife and nature, as well as informing articles and interesting facts. By subscribing to Wilderness Explorers, you will not only receive the publication, but you will also be helping to support the Explorers' Association for the Preservation of Terabithia in its quest to preserve a natural piece of land right here in Parker County. For more information, and to request a sample copy, please see the website.
Samara Literary Journal
About a year ago, my sister started publishing her own literary journal, called Samara. As her official technical assistant, my job is to help with the design and layout, and also to maintain a simple website. A year's subscription is only $6, and it's great reading. The journal includes short stories, poems, book reviews, and the like, and although it's mostly geared towards young people, we have subscribers and contributors of all ages. You really ought to subscribe (you'll get to read some of my writings!), and you can even download a sample copy on the website.
Quail Ridge Recycling
For six years now, my sister and I have operated a recycling business along our road, picking up recyclable materials from our neighbors and taking them in to the precinct barn to be recycled. If you happen to be a potential customer, I encourage you to start recycling! See the website for more information.
The site itself was originally built with a FrontPage template, but I later redid it with CSS div containers. Thus, although I did alter it quite a bit, I can't claim that it's an original design.
Republic of Niwic
This one may need some explanation. Niwic is not a separatist group, nor a fictional country. It is more like a club than anything else, but a club made for the fun of having a government, elected officials, currency, and other such things. Niwic was formed in 2002, and its citizens are made up of my family and friends. More information about the republic may be found on the website.
This was one of the first full-fledged websites that I ever made, and due to lack of time on my part is the one most in need of renovation and updating. Of late I haven't even had much time to dedicate to the Niwican Government, much less the website! I have been President of Niwic since its creation, but my last term runs out in December. We shall see who will step up to be the next president! (E-mail if interested.)
Websites built for others
Ross Pest Control
"Bugs are out of luck!" This is the website I built for a local pest control company. The site itself is one of my better-looking ones, but its main structure is a table, not so great for accessibility. It's a nice website though.
Please note: I do not endorse Ross Pest Control or its services; I am only the humble webmaster. And who can blame me? I like bugs!
Town of Annetta North
This is the official website of the town of Annetta North, where I live. I had been wanting to make a website for the town for quite a while, and I was able to get the job in 2005 when the council was considering the possibility. The site is regularly updated (amazing how you get things done when you're paid to do them!), and is a very informative site for our 500-person town. It could probably use some fixing up, but it has a good design.
Parker County Poor Farm
I built this website as a volunteer project for the Poor Farm Advisory Group. The poor farm is located on a good-sized piece of county land, much of which is still wild and natural. I am in favor of the creation of a nature center/park, but right now different ideas are being thrown around, and there's no telling what the future of the land will be. In the meantime, you can peruse the website, which includes photos, history, maps, and other things pertaining to the poor farm. The history of the place is really fascinating, and I believe that not only should the natural aspect of the land be preserved, but also the historical, hence the slogan: The Parker County Poor Farm—Rich in History and Nature.
