Recent Blog Posts

Celebrating 10 Years of Shaping the Web

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:48:00 -0600

This year, Roundedcube is celebrating its 10th anniversary! It’s hard to wrap my mind around that fact… it doesn’t seem that long ago we were a team of two in a 600 sq ft office suite. But here we are now, a full service digital agency collaborating with Fortune 500 clients around the country ...

Salvaging Sitecore CMS Implementation Projects

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:33:00 -0600

With the tremendous success and growth of the Sitecore product, a very common problem has been the lack of agencies with appropriate expertise to architect and implement the platform correctly. Unfortunately for many companies that have invested in the system, they have seen results less than ideal. Frequently, Roundedcube gets called in by agencies to salvage an implementation project that is in a tailspin.

A Practical (Roundedcube) Use Case Review of Siri

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:04:00 -0600

"Play, Arcade Fire" - me

"Playing, Arcade Fire." - Siri

That brief interaction between me and the latest development from Apple ushered in my first experience with what is quickly becoming accepted as the next great technological leap for smartphone technology.

Is the webpage’s layout giving you headaches? Then get rid of it!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:17:00 -0600

No, you did not read that headline incorrectly. Yes, I am actually advocating ditching layouts altogether. No, I have not recently sustained any type of head trauma. Am I crazy? Maybe. But that’s a subject for a different post.

How a local non-profit organization caught my attention with a Tweet

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:32:00 -0600

The brilliance of Twitter is that you have a unique opportunity to catch the attention of your followers with instant information. The downfall, of course, is we live in an era of information overload and more often than not, it can be difficult to keep up with all of the information in your Twitter feed.

Mobile Design Demystified

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:47:00 -0500

Based on a few client conversations that seemed to have a consistent theme, I thought I’d take a few minutes So, why do we care about mobile design anyway? Well, if you’re not reading this on a mobile device or tablet yourself, somebody else is. To be precise, approximately 6% of web traffic is mobile/tablet devices. 6 percent?! Big deal, right? With all the hype around mobile, you’d expect something higher. But, here’s the thing. That’s September’s data and in June it was 5% and March 4% and approximately 1 year ago today… just 3%.

Web Marketing. This Time It’s Personal

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:48:00 -0500

Remember back in the day when people would tout their website as “it’s like a salesperson that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!”? Well, if this salesperson of yours gave the same tired pitch over and over to every single prospect and even existing customers who he’s already sold to (and also doesn’t recognize those loyal customers), I think you’d fire him faster than he can say “417”.

A No Win Social Media Game

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:29:00 -0500

Informational. Responsive. Human. These are the characteristics I look for in a branded social media account.

Roundedcube Grows with Addition of New Team Members

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:16:00 -0500

Our team at Roundedcube is growing and we are excited to announce the addition of three new Cubers.

Devblog: Searching Sitecore Content using Lucene

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:57:00 -0500

When you need to search content within Sitecore, you have a few options available. You can use Google Custom Search, or the more involved Search Appliance (a.k.a. Google Mini). The later is an actual rack-mountable server that you must configure outside of any programming code. Another option, and the title of this blog, is to use the search feature within Sitecore itself.

Support Service is not "Just Fix It!"

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:55:00 -0500

As the manager of our newly formed Support Services department at Roundedcube, I was thinking about what “support” means to our clients. Sure we work on Sitecore, Elcom, Umbraco, .NET applications and the like, but many companies can do those things. In Support Services we also have many different types of clients; we specialize in warranty work on projects that we have completed (yes, Roundedcube provides a warranty on our work) to “ad hoc” time & material projects with our clients and retainer work.

Roundedcube Celebrates Ninth Anniversary Today

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:32:00 -0500

It’s hard to believe, but it was nine years ago today that Roundedcube opened its doors. Through those nine years, Roundedcube has evolved from a web development shop to the full-service digital agency that it is today specializing in web strategy, design, development and online marketing.

Web Marketing Management for Consumer Package Goods

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:34:00 -0500

We live in exciting times if you’re job is in marketing, especially if you are in web marketing. And even more so if you are in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. As I look over our client list and think about opportunities they may have in front of them to produce more effective marketing and build stronger customer relationships, I started to look specifically at the consumer packaged goods segment. It’s a complex world, but one that’s filled with a lot of great opportunities that can haven’t been leveraged yet. I thought I’d take a moment to run through the situation facing CPG companies and discuss the opportunities and solutions that can make a big impact.

Analytics: It's More Than Just Numbers

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:02:00 -0500

How many visitors does your site get daily/weekly/monthly? I imagine this question being asked in the voice of a third grade bully on the playground.

There IS no mobile web: Making Web Designs More Responsive

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:00:00 -0500

The web changes so quickly that writing an in-depth post about a particular subject in that area almost has to be precognitive. In other words, no matter how much you research the matter at hand, in the time it takes you to write it and get it posted, there could already be new information and insights on it that could make it irrelevant. Or somebody might have posted a blog entry explaining why it’s total crap like it was the Emperor’s new clothes and the blog entry’s link has already been retweeted five thousand and one times.

What I Took Away From An Event Apart Boston 2011

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:32:00 -0500

I seized the opportunity to attend An Event Apart in Boston this past month and had a great time. I listened to some inspiring and thought provoking presentations, met a few fellow webbies, and learned a thing or two about websites. Here is a summary of what I took away.

My Life Has Completely Changed Now That I Own a Smartphone

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:17:00 -0500

I hang my head in shame as I am about to let you in on a secret, "I, Alisa Thwing, only joined the wonderful world of smartphones a little over a month and a half ago." Now that that is out in the open, let's focus on how my life has changed in the last 6 weeks, rather than why in the world did I not have a smartphone before then?

Moving to a New CMS? Don’t Overlook the Content Migration Plan!

Thu, 26 May 2011 09:17:00 -0500

Ok, you and your organization are finally moving away from that legacy outdated website management system to a real state-of-the-art Web Content Management system! Everyone is excited about seeing the old system retired and is looking forward to a much better life with the new CMS. Maybe it even involves a redesign or maybe your moving the website over just as it looks today with some minor tweaks. Either way, you have a lot to consider in the project plan. But whatever you do… don’t overlook the content migration plan!

CEP, DMS and More Sitecore Innovations at Dreamcore

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:59:00 -0500

Last week, we at Roundedcube again had the opportunity to visit Boston for this year’s annual Sitecore developer and partner conference – Dreamcore. Along with me were Benjamin Vidal, our VP of Technology and Phil Leara, Senior Web Engineer. The two days were jam-packed with technology previews, industry trends, and knowledge sharing on various business, marketing and development best practices. But what’s with the new acronyms? They’re a side-effect of Sitecore’s 6.5 release which once again accelerates the evolution of the WCM market.

Your Markup: Don’t Remove It, Improve It With HTML5

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:03:00 -0500

The web development and design world has been abuzz about HTML5, kind of like how “Web 2.0” was all the rage waaaay back in 2007.

Extending Umbraco CMS to Manage Business-Specific Data

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:34:00 -0500

It almost never fails. Whenever we implement a content management system for a client, there always seems to be some additional core business data or processes that tie into the website but are currently managed via a separate and usually primitive, single-function web app. This is usually a one-off application that was built quickly and specifically for managing whatever this business data is.

Do Tag Clouds Have a Place in This World?

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:24:00 -0500

Our team recently had a healthy debate over tag clouds. It came down to this. Although they are quickly dying out, do they serve a useful purpose, at least one that makes up for their obnoxious presence? Or should they go silently into the night never to return?

Microcontrollers: Where the Real World Meets the Digital

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:46:00 -0500

Over the past few years, the ability, usability, availability, and lower cost of electronics have increased tremendously. Specifically, the use of what is called “Microcontrollers” (MCU) has allowed amazing things to happen. These are also referred to as Programmable Logic Controllers, and Embedded Processors. I like to compare the use of MCU’s today with such initiatives as the “mobile” web. Both of these technologies have been around for a while now and are not only coming of age, but their future is beyond being merely “promising.” The cost of these MCU devices can be extremely affordable and their uses seem limitless.

Key Nuggets from Online Marketing Summit 2011

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:00:00 -0600

I had the pleasure of attending the Online Marketing Summit in San Diego a couple of weeks ago. Traveling to San Diego in February and leaving behind the below freezing temperatures in St. Louis was something I was more than looking forward to, as was staying on top of the latest marketing information and trends.

Ins and Outs of Sitecore OMS

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:27:00 -0600

Since we have been really digging into Sitecore OMS we've gotten more and more excited about the features and benefits. However, we hit a few roadblocks along the way - a few in's and out's involved in configuring OMS and getting it to meet our expectations. I thought now that we've gotten over the hump with several of them, this would be a good time to share what we ran into and how to get around it.

How to Lose Trust on Your Website

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:43:00 -0600

Do you ever find yourself getting frustrated on a website because you are unable to find the information you are seeking? I find myself in this situation more often than I care to admit. And to be honest with you, it’s downright odd to me that I still encounter these pet peeves on corporate websites.

Back in the Saddle, Again

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:48:00 -0600

So, I’m the “New Cuber” at Roundedcube. It’s been 2 months and I’m starting to find my groove. It’s late in the evening and sitting here by myself has me thinking back 13 years.

2011 Social Media Resolutions

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:08:00 -0600

As 2010 comes to a close it’s only natural to reflect upon the past year and plan for the next 12 months. Many people will make resolutions to watch their diet, exercise more, pick up a new hobby and the like. What about resolutions for your professional life?

Apps are the Future of Web Content, and not just with Phones

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:28:00 -0600

I am usually not one to get out my crystal ball and predict things. Not seriously, anyway. But very rarely something will hit me (“very rarely” here meaning “once”) that make so much profound sense that it’s like an epiphany. It’s like I’m given an actual vision of the future.

A Little Feedback Goes a Long Way: How Small Things Make Huge Impacts in Usability

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:02:00 -0600

I have to admit, the active state of links and buttons and whatnot was not something I was interested in setting until recently. For many years I didn’t even give this state a second thought, as the people I learned that from didn’t use it very much, either. What was most important was what “Cool Thing” the links or buttons did on hover.

Never mind that buttons on things in real life don’t change color, or dance around, when you hover your finger over them.

Is Your Blog the Most Important Part of Your Website?

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:11:00 -0600

We all know just how critical web presence is for a company and their brand. But which section or page of a website in the most important?

Interactive Design Without Flash? Yes We Can!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:21:00 -0500

Remember the good ol’ days of the early 2000s? A few years after Macromedia acquired Flash (originally named FutureSplash) suddenly it was all the rage.

A Few Things to Consider When Redesigning Your Website

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:46:00 -0500

So, it’s time for a redesign… reskin, refresh, overhaul. However you choose to say it, it’s time to give your website a significant update to get it back in line with your organization’s changing objectives and competitive landscape.

Windows Live Spaces Moving to WordPress?

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:04:00 -0500

You may have heard this already, especially if you’re a Windows Live blogger, Windows Live is “upgrading” it’s blog service using WordPress. How convenient?

Sitecore for President (well for Government Sites)

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:50:00 -0500

Roundedcube will be featuring Sitecore at the National Association of Government Webmasters (NAGW) to be held in St. Louis, MO from Sept. 22 – 24. We’re definitely excited for being part of the show because I think we definitely got something to show. One of the highlights will be our work for the City of Ogden, UT which was released last year (a Sitecore case study is also available if you want a copy).

Customize the Sitecore System Tray

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:01:00 -0500

The Sitecore Desktop is just like Windows, it’s customizable. Not a lot have utilized it because there’s not much about on how to do so except for typical user-specifics such as wallpaper, desktop shortcuts, etc. Here is one thing you can do to the system tray.

Dynamic Sitecore Desktop

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:54:00 -0500

I was playing around with Sitecore and I saw John West’s way of randomizing the desktop wallpaper. He uses a logging in pipeline processor that essentially updates the Wallpaper property of the user. It’s pretty cool….so I get to thinking…let me try to make it more dynamic.

Sitecore to Support MVC...What Do You Think?

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:54:00 -0500

When I first saw that Sitecore is going to support the MVC architecture in a future release, I wasn’t sure exactly what that means. I have some experience with MVC. I know about ASP.NET’s implementation and also the S#arp Architecture that improves upon Microsoft’s version.

Geo-location Provides Badges and Tests User Privacy

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:14:00 -0500

A Conversation Between Two Social Media Nerds

Shane and I have been randomly discussing geo-location during meetings and while eating our lunch for months now. We gently argue back and forth about how fun it is, how silly it is and how safe it is. Shane is adamant about becoming the mayor of a local Mexican food joint. I on the other hand know that no one is interested in where I eat lunch or get my coffee.

Tackling Fallback Fields and Values in Sitecore

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:54:00 -0500

I recently had the opportunity to fight with …. Err … learn about globalization within Sitecore. If you don’t know what Globalization is within Sitecore, then you are reading the right article, because your knowledge on the subject is the same as mine was when I first started working with it. I almost viewed it as the scary monster under my bed, about to tear my feet off the moment the light goes out.

What does Sitecore v6.3 Really Mean?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:54:00 -0500

So it used to be called the TwinPeaks release if you follow the Sitecore Roadmap but exactly what does it bring to the table?

Sorting Sitecore Items in .NET

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:31:00 -0500

Have you ever asked yourself what’s the fastest (or easiest) way to sort a list of item that you retrieve using SelectItems or something similar?

US Airways Held a Trivia Contest on Twitter

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:54:00 -0500

US Airways ran a trivia contest on Twitter yesterday to celebrate their #1 ranking in May for on-time performance, baggage handling and customer satisfaction. Personally, I was excited to participate because they were giving away three $300 US Airways gift cards and well, I like to travel.

The World Cup's Affect on Social Media

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:51:00 -0500

Breaking news has always been a part of social media. The Egyptian arrest of American James Karl Buck in April of 2008 was the story that introduced me to Twitter. I learned of George Steinbrenner's passing this very morning from a friend's status update on Facebook.

The Return of One of the Original Five

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:16:00 -0500

It's funny how your life can go full circle at times. After a four year career detour, I'm happy to return to Roundedcube as the new programmer on the block.

Developing with Sitecore Foundry 3 - Tips for Success

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:54:00 -0500

Let me preface this post by saying that Roundedcube has a lot of Sitecore CMS implementations under our belt (we've actually lost count I think), but in the last year and a half we've been involved with a couple Sitecore Foundry implementations. We quickly realized that while the two products share a common foundation, developing a solution with Sitecore Foundry is a different beast than with Sitecore CMS. My hope is to share some of the most significant differences we've encountered to help you overcome the same issues in your solution development.

Should video be your next "big thing?"

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:54:00 -0500

I've had the opportunity to attend three separate conferences this year, all with supposed industry experts ranging in skills from user experience, online marketing, web content management, social media and many more. It never fails that one of the experts at every conference at some point mentions, "Oh, you better get started with video ... it's the next big thing."

Key Features to Evaluate When Selecting a Web Content Management System

Thu, 27 May 2010 13:51:00 -0500

In the last 8+ years of designing and developing WCM (or CMS, choose your favorite acronym) -based websites, we at Roundedcube have seen an evolving theme of key features to evaluate to make the best choice for your organization.

Are You Digitally Intimate with Your Customers?

Mon, 03 May 2010 11:04:00 -0500

When Sitecore CEO, Michael Seiffert made his way up to the podium at the beginning of Dreamcore 2010 he set the tone of the entire engagement by focusing conferences-goers attention on the concept of "digital intimacy." The term had a great ring to it and I began wondering if this was a Sitecore original or something they had picked up elsewhere.

WCM, CMS, OMS - How Do You Categorize Sitecore Now?

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:54:00 -0500

Well, it’s Tuesday morning and I’ve had the weekend to let all of the great information and ideas from Dreamcore 2010, held in Boston, soak in. Marco Tana (President and CEO), Benjamin Vidal (VP, Technology), Shane Freeman (Manager of Client/Partner Engagements) and I (VP, Operations/Marketing) saw some great new products and features that are now available or will soon be.