Hi Lynn - If you're looking for something more, I would point you back to the endorse module since you did such a good job with it.
I'm not sure where/to who I described this before (hopefully I did it on the list), but I've come to see endorse as two parts: 1) personal messages (which you have already completed) 2) pre-done messages Illinois for Dean has put together Dean-o-grams (Http://www.illinoisfordean.org/deanograms/) though they have not launched it yet because they don't have a lot of choices. Here are the ones I sent them a few weeks ago (the developer got waylaid by paying clients): http://www.bankofknowledge.net/images/GLBT.swf http://www.bankofknowledge.net/images/youhavethepower2.gif http://www.bankofknowledge.net/images/uniter2.gif http://www.bankofknowledge.net/images/pro-choice2.gif http://www.bankofknowledge.net/images/electability2.gif The design requirements/project instructions they sent me are attached. I think it should be fairly easy to add a graphic to the form you already have. Then you just need to decide how to access the 2 options. I see two possibilities: 1) have "send a dean-o-gram" (goes to page to choose pre-done graphics) and "tell a friend" (which goes to personal message) 2) have "send a dean-o-gram" go to a page where you can choose to write a personal endorsement or pick a graphic. Does this sound like a functionality we want? (It's cute, plus some people don't know what to say.) Does my description make sense? ~Alison > I'm abandoning the grassroots theme because it's the butt-ugliest thing > I've designed since 1995, and that's saying something. (Don't believe > it? See http://www.siprelle.com/sandbox .) I've got one other theme > idea I'm going to give a run at (black and white). Somebody point me at > something. > > Lynn S. > > ----- > Lynn Siprelle * Writer, Mother, Programmer, Fiber Artisan > The New Homemaker: http://www.newhomemaker.com/ > Siprelle & Associates: http://www.siprelle.com/ > People-Powered Howard! http://www.deanforamerica.com/ -- "...somebody came along and said liberal means soft on crime, soft on drugs, soft on Communism, soft on defense. And we're going to tax you back to the stone age because people shouldn't have to work if they don't want to. And instead of saying 'Well, excuse me, you right-wing reactionary, xenophobic, homophobic, anti-education, anti-choice, pro-gun Leave it to Beaver trip back to the '50s'. We cowered in the corner and say, 'Please don't hurt me'. . . . Let's have two parties. . . ." The West Wing: "Gone Quiet"
Allison: I saw your post on the Dean Media Team site. I'm working on something for the Illinois for Dean web site that might interest you. Here is a summary of the project and your assignment, should you choose to accept it. Project: DEAN-O-GRAMS Goal: Offer online postcards as a clever and visually appealing way for people to tell their friends about the Dean campaign. Overview: Dean-O-Grams will offer short messages (a quote, a summary of his position on an issue, a series of facts or thought-provoking questions, etc) that capture the attention of readers and lead them to Dean for America to get more information. Dean-O-Grams can be targeted to different demographic voting groups, such as seniors or students, allowing people to choose the appropriate message for their intended recipient. Some Dean-O-Grams can be serious and some can be funny, depending on the issue and the target audience. Current Project Status: The script that runs the Dean-O-Grams has been installed and is in the beta testing stage now. We're utilizing an open source Perl script called Postcard Direct that seems to work really nicely. I have a few *very rough* content samples online so you can see how it works, but please - don't share the Dean-O-Gram site with anyone else until we're ready to launch it with real content. If you want to play with it, use yourself for both sender and recipient: http://www.illinoisfordean.org/deanograms/ Your Assignment: Create the actual Dean-O-Grams that people will send. You've got a lot of creative freedom here, but please follow the basic specs provided in this message. You are welcome to choose your own Dean quotes or issues, and to write your own copy. If you would like to concentrate on the design and have some help on the content, just let me know - we've got copywriters and marketing people on this project, too. Dean-O-Gram Specs Format: Flash animation, Gif animation, static Gif or Jpeg image. Size: 600w x 400h exactly File Size: 150k max (under 100k preferred) Thumbnail Image Size: 200w x 133h exactly (even if your Dean-O-Gram is animated, please provide a static thumbnail for the index page) Dean-O-Gram Content Please try to keep the content positive and focused on Dean, although it's hard to resist a little Bush-bashing. Although we don't represent the actual campaign, we do need to be careful not to say anything that misrepresents Dean or leaves us open to law suits. Use your own judgement, but better to err on the side of caution. Remember to list the source if you use a quote from a published article, and credit the photographer if you use photos found on the web. Here is a good archive of Dean photos: http://www.carlwithak.com/dean2004_photos_archive.php Need some ideas to get started? Just ask! Email completed Dean-O-Grams and thumbnails to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (no more than 500k per message, please) You can make as many Dean-O-Grams as you want. When you finish your first one or two, send 'em to me so we can launch this feature as soon as possible. Ultimately, I'd love to have dozens of Dean-O-Grams with different themes that we can organize by category. If we get really creative with our Dean-O-Grams, I think this could turn into a very popular feature and be used by sites other than just Illinois for Dean. Please let me know if you'd like to help with this particular project, and if you have any question. Michael -- Help Elect Dean in 2004: http://www.illinoisfordean.org/ Illinois For Dean is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dean For America, Howard Dean, or any other official campaign entity.
