|
| |
|
|
_gail
Posts: 2874
From: So FL
Status: offline
 |
Orgainzing client work - 11/26/2002 7:33:30
Well, I' ve been waiting for about four years, preparing and studying. Website jobs are beginning to trickle in on a slow but steady basis (thank you Outfronters!).
All of a sudden my head is spinning with a good number of cryptic passwords and userids (minimum of three sets per domain), two or three sets of control panels for each site; hex colors, hosting and domain annual renewal dates; configuring email clients for employees of customers (more passwords); site maintenance, etc.
Sure I write all this stuff down but I' m interested to hear how others organize; if there is a better system.
For example, do you have a worksheet for each client? Do you use a particular program to store and retrieve data as you need it and, if so, which one? Do you use software to store passwords, userids, and credit card info...so you can click a button and fill out online forms more quickly?
Any suggestions?
thanks, gail
|
|
|
|
abbeyvet
Posts: 5095
From: Kilkenny Ireland
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/26/2002 7:51:27
I have a very low tech way of doing all this but it works for me.
As soon as I get a new client I do three things
1. Set up a folder in their name in Outlook
2. Set up a folder in their name in C:\MyDocuments\Clients
3. Set up a physical folder in a real filing cabinet!
In the case of clients with multiple websites I have subfolders in each of these in the name of the domains.
In each of their folders in \Clients or \Clients\domain I have a notepad file called gen_info and this has all the details of their domain registration, hosting, passwords and so on, added to as required.
Any emails I receive from or send to the client is stored in their outlook folder, any images, text files, zip files, downloads or so on that are used in the course of building their site are either saved in \Clients or copied to their folder if they are files like JavaScripts, PHP scripts etc that are also used elsewhere.
Anything physical they send like mail or photos or discs are stored in the filing cabinet. I would also print out the gen_info file and store a copy there.
Hosting and Domain renewal is generally automatically notified to you anyway, though in some cases I add this info to my calandar in Outlook, especially where for some reason I am not the person who will receive the renew notice and I am not convinced they will remember to take care of it!
However I will always have the emails and so on they I received in relation to these saved in the appropriate place.
As I say, it is a rudimentary system, but I find it works.
_____________________________
Katherine
:: InKK Design :: InKK Domains
| |
|
|
|
_gail
Posts: 2874
From: So FL
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/26/2002 8:12:29
And all those userids and passwords? You type them in manually when needed or do you use software to store them?
gail
| |
|
|
|
abbeyvet
Posts: 5095
From: Kilkenny Ireland
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/26/2002 8:51:03
Manually.
I know there is probably a way to do it otherwise but I prefer to have stuff bunched according to client.
EVERYTHING I need to know about a client is in that one single folder and most of it in the gen_info file.
That folder and file is always open when I am working on a givens clients jobs and I just refer to it or add to it as required. I find it a very easy way to keep track to be honest. I do not really want disparate bits of client information saved in different places, I want them all in the one place.
EDIT FROM HERE
Oh I see what you mean now - do I type in passwords/ids etc manually when I need to use them, not when storing them in the first place which was what I thought you meant.
Still Yes, or sometimes cut and paste. In general when I am working on a particular clients work I am using the relevant ones so often I either have them stored in the application that is using them or just remeber them from repeated use.
I am not sure, but doesn' t FP 2002 remember passwords when you publish? I have not used the publish feature since I upgraded but I believe I read it does. WS_FTP which I would use all the time remembers login details so I only need to enter those once and I can upload ad nauseum to a site.
< Message edited by abbeyvet -- 11/26/2002 8:55:11 AM >
_____________________________
Katherine
:: InKK Design :: InKK Domains
| |
|
|
|
Doug G
Posts: 1189
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: SoCal
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/27/2002 1:08:35
I have a custom database for client information, and individual client folders on disk for saving files, with subfolders for documents, graphics, web pages, hardware, and so forth under each client folder as required.
I have another home-brew database in a non-hackable database system which holds passwords. I think I' m pushing 200 entries there now :(
On the not remembering the password problem, one thing that will cause that to happen is if you have a network login prompt on bootup, but you cancel vs. signing on. Windows won' t know who you are so won' t save a password. In W9x there used to be problems with corrupted .pwl files in the windows folder, and I believe the fix was to delete the .pwl files and then recreate the usernames.
_____________________________
======
Doug G
======
| |
|
|
|
_gail
Posts: 2874
From: So FL
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/27/2002 8:41:23
quote:
ORIGINAL: Doug G
On the not remembering the password problem, one thing that will cause that to happen is if you have a network login prompt on bootup, but you cancel vs. signing on. Windows won' t know who you are so won' t save a password.
{{{Doug}}}
My goodness! I am having a problem here.
I did a complete reinstall of my WinME OS about two and a half months ago. I' ve never been able to get my computer to boot without it prompting for a password, though I' ve set none. To bypass the screen I' ve simply Xed it closed or clicked " cancel."
I' ve been able to fix this before, easily, but can' t seem to get it to work this time. I even called my computer manufacturer two times and they' ve been no help.
If I recall correctly, I used to go into the Network Control Panel, Configuration tab. I selected " Windows Logon," rather than " Client for MS Networks." Tried this and still no change. I' ve never even thought about it having an effect on FrontPage' s password storage.
SO, any suggestions for how I may go about fixing it so my computer boots or restarts without getting the " Enter Windows Login" prompt?!
thanks, gail
| |
|
|
|
mc6pack
Posts: 17
Joined: 5/15/2002
From: St. Petersburg FL
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/27/2002 22:10:55
Try downloading Tweakui through Microsoft. It has the most wonderful features - including automatic login' s!
It also will remove those unmoveable icons on the desktop, remove arrows from shortcuts or the words ' shortcut to xxx' , rebuild icons and tons of other features. It is free and a microsoft product.
Powertoys (which has tweakui) for WinXP is:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp
This version works on WinME, Win95, Win98:
http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/powertoys/networking/nttweakui.asp
BTW, Windows FAMILY requires no logon. I would recommend HIGHLY an early Christmas present for yourself - WindowsXP! I have it installed on 3 PC' s and I have never seen a blue screen and I have never had to reboot to unfreeze the pc. The stability and extra features are absolutely wonderful. WinME has a miserable reputation. I had it installed on one machine and would never install it on another. I stayed with Win98SE until WinXP. I installed WinXP on one machine to have a trial run and after a month, I installed on the other machines (multiple copies).
Theresa
PS I have all my clients work in their own folder. In that folder is content used for the site - photos, documents, emails, a text file with passwords, email accts. etc... I also keep a copy of the passwords in a main Word File which is printed out. I also keep a hard copy file. Overkill? If my hard drive failed I would have to be able to depend on the paper copies to get me going again...
| |
|
|
|
Doug G
Posts: 1189
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: SoCal
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/27/2002 23:34:19
Assuming you have no network and no reason to use a client for ms network logon, you can leave the Control Panel - Network - primary logon to Windows Logon.
Then use the Users cp to give your windows username a blank password. OK the change. When you restart windows should quit asking for a logon password.
_____________________________
======
Doug G
======
| |
|
|
|
cornerpocket
Posts: 27
Joined: 8/8/2002
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/29/2002 10:15:38
Gail,
I use a system that may not be unique, but it sure is a major improvement over what I had in the past. It is somewhat " High Tech" .
I use a Palm PDA with a program called HanDBase 3.0 which allows you to create your own very simple databases for specific purposes.
One is called Client Manager containing 3 linked databases. One is Customers which details contact information and tracks dates and times I have contacted them along with a notepad which stores notes of the conversation.
Another is Expenses where I track things like OutFront charges, hours spend on various web projects and whether or not I got paid at the time or it needs to be moved to Quickbooks for billing.
This is also where I keep track of Hosting fees status so I know when a client began hosting, setup fees paid, any prepaid hosting that needs to be tracked and the rate set.
Client ToDos is where I store those little projects that need to be done to maintain or start the website such as Design, Build, Setup in Quickbooks, Management, Upload site, Update graphcis, Update copy etc. These are logged by next due date, last time done, time started, time ended and if anything had to be purchased to acomplish it.
Finally, there is a database called Hosting Clients where I keep track of Domain Names, any costs associated with hosting this client, User Names, Passwords, Domain Servers, ISP address, contact name, phone & email along with billing rate per month.
It sounds rather complicated, but once set-up, it provides a handy record of all my web client activities in a portable filing system (I can put it in my pocket). It syncronizes with my computer so all records are duplicated in a PC based system which allows me to print a paper copy which I keep in the client' s paper file folder.
Reg
| |
|
|
|
Seventh
Posts: 1235
Joined: 8/4/2002
From: The Motor City
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/29/2002 12:06:40
quote:
non-hackable database system
If only there was such a thing.[:j]
_____________________________
"go forth and create."
| |
|
|
|
Doug G
Posts: 1189
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: SoCal
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/29/2002 15:02:35
quote:
If only there was such a thing.
I work alone and the db is on a computer not connected to anything. Perhaps it can be literally hacked (i.e., with a hacksaw through the locks) but otherwise no one has access. :)
_____________________________
======
Doug G
======
| |
|
|
|
garry
Posts: 858
From: Northern Territory Outback Australia
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 11/29/2002 23:10:48
Hi Gail
Also try a little black book, so if you are remote and get that urgent email, you can still update live from someone elses PC.
Dont use passwords of Female names in your black book as your wife will get suspicious.......you might get away with it Gail.
PS You may need to buy a van to store all your media types in, PC, Palmpilot, Filing cabinet, little black book, laptop, chalk board, slate, stone tablets, leather,message stick, obscure webpage with passwords on it.
Ahhhh you just cant rely on the flow of electrons anymore.
Cheers from the outback
| |
|
|
|
caywind
Posts: 1479
From: USA
Status: offline
|
RE: Orgainzing client work - 12/2/2002 23:20:15
It all gets out of hand! I use an old program called GoldMine that I customized years ago to fit the web biz. Highly suggest some kind of CRM (customer relations management) software. You will reach a point where you just can' t remember what was done, by whom, and when. It' s pretty impressive when you can throw the details of a conversation out, that happened six months ago, like you have a photographic memory or something. Then make sure your data backup system works, not just runs. As far as passwords, those are all kept in writing and never electronically, windows makes sure that those can be stolen for me!
| |
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts
|
|
|
Printable Version 
