Rebuilding a major Museum Web Site. We have completed a major rebuild of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's web site. Extensive use of the latest technical standards such as server-side includes, cascading style sheets, standards-compliant navigation system, and upgrading of all content have strengthened this site, which serves as a major online resource in the field of railroad history. May 2008.

Rebuilding a Community Revitalization Web Site. We have completed a complete rebuild of the web site of Lawrenceville Main Street. This site features updated content, improved navigation and search, and greater emphasis on attracting visitors to this revitalized historic village. In support of this, we also provided extensive local photography. As a result of substantial effort beyond that contracted, including work on their computer system, Jim was recognized by Main Street with a 2007 Volunteer Award, and a brick will be placed with his name on the Main Street sidewalk. December 2007 - January 2008.

Jim authors article on condominium association landscape management program. Making a park-like setting even better. Read it here.

Jim (l), with fellow speaker William Withuhn (r), Curator of Transportation, Smithsonian Institution.

Jim speaks on early New Jersey Inventor. Jim made a presentation on the life of Colonel John Stevens, a patriot of the American Revolution who was an early advocate of the development of railroads. The day-long symposium, in Bordentown, NJ on November 10, 2007, was on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the first run of the John Bull locomotive (America's first steam locomotive) and in conjunction with the 325th anniversary of the founding of the City of Bordentown. Jim has previously researched and written about this industrial leader's history. Stevens Institute of Technology is named for the Stevens family.

Developing new strategy for hosting digitized images of historic railway industry photos and other industry records for long-term storage and web access. Jim is participating as an advisor and team leader to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's expanding leadership role in cataloging and making available for web research, catalogs and images of unique historical holdings. This complex effort involves planning for the funding and roles of several agencies including the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the North American Railway Foundation, and PALINET, a leading library and digitization consortium serving northeastern state library and research institutions. "Pulling it all together" is a key characteristic of these efforts.  September 2007.

  First Implementation of Flash Video. We have just created our first presentation with Adobe Flash Video files. While we do not favor Flash when used as irritating glitz or ads, this type uses the technology to allow the visitor to play whatever content videos are desired. We worked closely with the client and the video producer to accomplish this, and the content is directly related to the site's target audience. May 2007.

  Creation of Condominium Association Web Site. As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Society Hill at Lawrenceville, NJ Condominium Association, Jim suggested and produced its first web site:  SHLtoday.org. The site provides extensive information, downloadable documents, online request forms, and amenity descriptions. April 2007.

  Creation of Train Collectors Association Family of Web Sites. Major reorganization and rebuilding of several existing and new sites to achieve expanded services, implementing an objective in the organization's Strategic Plan. See the new Gateway site to start. Their main member site was tailored to meet membership needs, and to include information currently printed, thus reducing printing and mailing costs. Work continues on several remaining sites. This went live in December 2006, and was preceded in November by a rebuild of their online store. Additional advice concerning their member-written online magazine is being rendered.

  Appointment to Board of Trustees. Jim was appointed to the Society Hill at Lawrenceville Condominium Association's board. The board sets policy for this 440 unit development, which consists of townhomes and garden apartments. He was elected to a new term in November 2007.

 Jim selected as Forum Manager. Jim has been requested to serve as one of four managers to moderate the newest venue of PCTalk Online, a technology and computer discussion and help forum. The current iteration, functioning as a Google Group, was founded by and is directed by Rich Levin, long-time computer technology author, editor and broadcaster. Responsibilities include monitoring and responding to messages and developing forum policies. Fall 2006.

  Grant obtained, successfully implemented; second year funding obtained. A grant application (PDF) prepared by Jim resulted in the award of a $31,500 grant from the North American Railway Foundation to the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This grant funded equipment, software, and technical services to allow online searches of the library and archives catalog that has been developed in recent years. This listing encompasses several hundred thousand historic books, photos, negatives, tickets, memorabilia, and other railroad ephemera. Ability to search electronically via the museum's web site will facilitate research into railroad history. Jim completed initial setup of the new computer equipment, and served as project manager for the grant. The initial online catalog is available here. He subsequently wrote an application for a second year of funding to continue this work and to commence the scanning of the museum's large negative and photo collections. This resulted in a $28,500 grant being awarded. This second year of work has utilized a consultant (PALINET) to assist in devising long term strategies for both catalog web hosting and introduction of digital scanning systems, as well as a sustainability plan. August 2006.

  New web site created for National Toy Train Museum. We were engaged by the Train Collectors Association to create a new web site specifically to attract visitors to their national headquarters museum. This will complement their existing association site, which is primarily aimed at members. The project has involved intense review of mission and audience, with major writing and photography, toward an informative and targeted presentation of content. The site features online sales for the Museum Store. The site went live in October 2005.

  An Awakening to an Artist's Legacy. An expanded and revised section featuring Jim's grandfather's paintings and their legacy. Start with The Secrets of Grandpa's Paintings.

Stay tuned for more accomplishments!