The Tangled Web We Weave
Here is what is happening with thepanicchannel.com. I have been getting alot of questions about when the new "Velvet" version will open. This post might get a little tech-heavy so hang on...
I closed down our first version "Ouija" earlier this year. It was built it entirely in Flash, and it was okay, but I never meant it to be the full-on site that would satisfy all our needs for years, more like the first version to get things rolling. The goal for this new site was to build something that could be updated from any website anywhere, anytime, like a blog. I came up with a new design in Photoshop that would allow for lots of content, and also have space for some good Flash animations. Robert Chafino stepped in and built a framework that could be populated via the Moveable Type engine, the same engine Dave and I use for our blogs. This just means that we can use a simple web interface to make all site updates instead of having to have a computer with all the files on it around. Robert also built a really cool Flash/php engine so we can update our photo libraries remotely.
Then, things started to get dramatic.
Late in the summer, work begins on the record; pre-production with Josh Abraham, last minute writing and demoing of new songs, etc. Then I go into the studio for 2 1/2 months. All work on the site stops. Once the record is done, I get back to the site, but now Robert is busy on a world of projects (he does 6767, the Rokbar site, the new Spread Radio live site, and all of Dave's myriad internet interests, among all his other freelance stuff).
So I go in and start digging around with his files and work on finishing the site. I am a Flash guy, and CSS is only a vague mystery to me, but what the hell, I wanted to learn CSS for a while now, so this would be a nice way to learn, right? Everything went pretty well until I wrecked the whole site... every page. I missed a main detail about how this crazy blog/html/css/flash site is supposed to work, and killed our website.
After some all night code sessions that involved not only alarming amounts of caffeine, but also a Pagan sheep sacrifice, I was back on track. This required re-building the site almost form scratch. At this point, I was blessed to have the help of CSS superhero Gianna Gragnani. She was the fix-it angel time and time again, when I had no idea what to do. Momentum picked back up and we got to about the 80% point. (Also thanks to Michael Renninger who tweaked some Flash actionsctipt code on our our photo libraries).
Just tonight Gianna once again saved the day and got us past some pesky Safari/IE alignment issues. Told you this post would be tech-heavy. I am now filling the site up with pics, video, downloads, and stuff to read. I can't really give a hard date when it'll be up, but it REALLY won't be long now. Unless I wreck the whole fucking thing again. HAHAHA.
HAHA..
hm.
Ok you stayed with me this long... now I will repay you with some links:
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It's always time for some Mark Ryden.
Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci.
Google releases Gmail for mobile phones.
A family takes family face photos for 30 years... this is great.
Speaking of tech stuff, this is an incredible demonstration of 3-D graphics in virtual space from the MIT Media Lab.
Comments
Steve,
Thanks for resurrecting this blog. I appreciate your take on things, and the endless amounts of great links you seem to come about.
Be well...
Posted by: Mike C. | December 17, 2005 03:30 PM
Wow, one the most coolest, artistic, intelligent, and overall "great vibe" people I've ever met leaves the net and there was a void. And just like that, it's back. Thank You.
Posted by: Lyn | December 17, 2005 06:13 PM
i agree with everything Lyn says and more
i cant wait to meet you!!!!!
you are a amazing artist and you have one of the coolest personalitys (or so ive heard from Lyn)
Posted by: Jordan/The Canadian King | December 17, 2005 08:40 PM
Well...We'll wait! I'm sure the result will be well worth it!
:-)
Posted by: thefreak6767 | December 18, 2005 03:05 AM
Good to know. I learned something here, Steve!
Posted by: Spencer | December 18, 2005 04:41 AM
:)My daughter has just taken over the PC to String Spin for approx 27 minutes!
I love the family photos, it's one of those things where you have to keep scrolling up and down on.
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | December 18, 2005 06:24 AM
Steve good to see your blog back up.
Noticed you had Thrice's new disc up in the listening to. I'm really digging the leap they made with this newest album.
For Miles is quite possibly the best song they've ever written.
Anyway hope this comment finds you well and you're having a good holiday season.
Jesse
Posted by: Jesse | December 18, 2005 08:02 AM
Glad to see you back up and running!
Posted by: Stardreme | December 18, 2005 09:13 AM
AWWW welcome back!! I missed your Blog!! I usualy just lurk on here and never post but, I thought a welcome back was needed in this situation!!!!
Posted by: Rain | December 18, 2005 11:00 AM
Hey hey, I really like the new header on your blog. Glad to see you back on-line making me laugh. :)
Ciao, jj
Posted by: jj | December 18, 2005 01:04 PM
Our symphony just recorded Carmina Burana. It was great fun performing it. I should send you a copy. :) Cheers!
Posted by: Oblivia | December 18, 2005 10:52 PM
Woohoo! How exciting it all is. Welcome back.
Thanks for the links too. Good stuff. Kept me busy for a while.
Posted by: Jenn | December 19, 2005 02:00 AM
Yes, glad you are back.
Posted by: Mike | December 19, 2005 05:35 AM
missed ya! glad you're back.
Posted by: a girl | December 19, 2005 10:24 AM
Your posts and links are so interesting! So glad the blog is back.
Posted by: Transcending | December 19, 2005 06:07 PM
Very curious about the "Velvet" can't wait to see it. ooh and of course, It's nice to have u back.
Posted by: Sex Singer | December 19, 2005 06:46 PM
Just discovered a tpc front page design...looking rare...loop?!
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | December 21, 2005 11:44 AM
Is there an echo in here?
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | December 21, 2005 11:45 AM
Oh by the way, Happy Holidays! I hope you have a great time however you celebrate it!
Best of luck in the New Years too.
Posted by: Stardreme | December 22, 2005 03:43 AM
Wow - Reading your posts and then jumping around from link to link can make one feel very manic!! I haven't stopped laughing for the last 3 hours, jumping to all these sites you posted. As if being an amazing musician, artist, and writer weren't enough, I think you qualifiy as a comedian too! Great combination!
Posted by: NJ_Cris | December 22, 2005 09:40 AM
I figured I had little to do this a.m. so let's catch up on blog reading! I loved the techy stuff, it reminds me why I have flash loaded and I'm taking it easy on learning it all. I got that nuisance issue on myspace and it really caused me some time fixing the "prank". I hope you get the new site up and running without too many more glitches.
I like the music shortcuts too. Carmina Burana and Brian Wilson? Brilliant stuff!
Posted by: Stardreme | December 23, 2005 03:01 AM