This is what the new elections website SHOULD look like!
So, we all agree that the new elections website is a complete mess and that we have talent in South Africa which really can make a difference.
That said, here’s a design, just 24hrs later, which would absolutely KILL the current design as well as cost a bundle less..
Click Here to read details on the 133T Project Manifesto, brought to you by three founding members: TRR, iMod and Yellow-Llama
I’m a..
See you soon.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Brilliant!
Ok, so how do we find out who to contact at the IEC?
Seriously somebody needs to push this in their faces otherwise they wont ever see this.
I mean if they couldn’t find somebody to put forward a half decent design in the first place, they are sure as hell not going to be checking to see what we all think…
Jan 20th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I take it that the dude with his hands up is the webmaster of the other forum being arrested for crimes against html?
Jan 20th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
now that’s more like it
Jan 20th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Thanks guys!
lol @ the crimes against html comment!
Jan 20th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
And I bet it’d work in all browsers from the get go!
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
nice site, for a 24hr, does it redirect users who are accessing it from their mobile phones?
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Looks interesting.
I have been working on generalelections.co.za
Only goes live later this month though.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Wow, 24 hours later…
It looks clean and pretty.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Lekke Chris & Mark & Other dude! Great looking site.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
@ myphotographer: well its just a concept of what i could look like/function. It would not be hard to let it detect users on mobile fones and direct them to a mobile/lite version of the site. Anything is possible.
@ Deems: well most (proper) sites that get developed ‘now days’ are cross browser compatible, so that would be expected :P
@ Robert: yep, just toll 24hrs to come up with a clean and functional idea… wonder how long the current one took to ‘come up’ with?!
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Since the guy actually put his contact details in a meta tag on the elections site,
maybe we should send him these images to show him what a real design looks like.
by the looks of it, he seems to be out of touch with his web design skills (which already didn’t meet standards) from a couple of decades ago
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
@ Ruark, not too hard at all, there is a wordpress plugin for this, it was just an idea as most top companies are quickly adding a mobile version extention to their site either by the way of a .mobi or m.yourdomain.com
I digg ur site, put up a poll, I’ll click it
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
@Ruark – I know, except Government institutions don’t seem to :)
It also probably took them from October last year till now just to get it to “work” in browsers other than IE.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
What’s also nice about a look such as the one given above is it can easily be made into a theme for any open source CMS which means you only have to develop the look of your site, not the backend of maintaining it.
And by backend I mean purely for the site, not voter registrations etc.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I dont think they will allow a new design. Especially one that would be made with open source software. Would be way to embarrassing for them.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
not a bad design. but i must agree with evl – using opensource software probably wont cater to their needs; personally I would hope they have a custom system to cater exactly to their needs – if anything opensource perhaps the framework the site is developed in; for ease of maintenance and that helps avoid client lock-in.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
The alternative design is nice except for that scrolling area at the bottom.. (your browser already provides scrollbars. Scrollbars inside scrollbars are bad!)
Perhaps the IEC can be persuaded to provide the content as well as dumps of the where to register/vote databases in a free/open/plain text format? (I understand the “am I registered?” functionality probably contains sensitive information)
Then someone can build a tolerable alternative..
Jan 20th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
@ALL
We understand that it is highly-unlikely that Government will change the IEC site now… Our goal with the 133T Project is make a vast array of skills & resources available to them in order to prevent future failures in our industry.
I think people under estimate the possibilities of open source applications. Stay tuned to the 133T Project, we’ve had an amazing response from some of South Africa’s (& the World’s) brightest and we’re only 24hrs in…
Read the manifesto again… & let the sentiment set in.
Much respect to all,
J
Jan 20th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Sounds good, I sent you a mail Justin.
PS: Small mistake on the 133T site, its 2009, not 2008.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Wow! Now why can’t the big guns in government wake up and get something like this going. South Africa has the skills but they are just not using them.
Jan 20th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Outstanding effort. I think, though, that us Internet Professionalz should realise one thing – to the government, the Internet is an accessory, not a way of life.
Given the level of broadband penetration, and the income brackets necessary to acquire broadband, and given that most voter power lies in all the brackets outside those two, it’s a simple supply-demand calculation on behalf of groups like the IEC: Any amount of effort spent on a web frontend is probably going to yield little, if any, results at the polls.
So as passionate as we are about the internet, I’m willing to bet govt. officials regard it the same way we regard the telegram – what the hell could I possibly need it for?
~ Wogan
Jan 20th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Very, very slick!
Jan 21st, 2009 at 12:55 am
@Wogan: I hope that we can change both your mind and that of Government. To quote from the manifesto:
“We believe that every South African must have access to broadband Internet, and taught the appropriate skills by which to navigate it – for no man is free without access to information and opportunity”
I know the odds are stacked against us… but we feel that here is some ground where we can actually stand and work with Government to improve service delivery in all aspects of the South African citizenary.
If Government won’t work with us, then we will re-evaluate our options, but our goals shall not change.
Think about how you & your character has changed as you become more entrenched in the endless realms of the Internet. Access to information is pivotal in constructive development of human beings…
Let us at least try to make this possible for all South Africans…
Jan 21st, 2009 at 7:13 am
this is what it ‘could’ look like, not ’should’ look like.
Jan 21st, 2009 at 8:21 am
Really really nice guys
Jan 21st, 2009 at 9:24 am
In comparing the old site to this design, one should remember that the old site was originally designed and made in 1998. That’s 10 years ago.
I don’t like the site myself, I had a mini flame war with the IEC’s CIO (see my blog), but it’s good to retain perspective.
Jan 21st, 2009 at 9:32 am
@ Mike: Thanks for spotting the typo :P fixed.
@ Wogan: Yeah just to add my 2c here to what Justin said. I am very happy with the fact that I have access to the online world. It has been a source of much information (sure lots of it either random and useless and some of it fake) but the most part its uncensored information on any topic I choose. I feel that especially in this world the population as a whole has a better chance of not getting screwed by the govt if they are aware of all factors.
hence us being very very pro broadband and pro opensource.
Jan 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
I take it that if we sign the petition at 133T Project Manifesto, we become partners as well. And that means a share of the R3million, right?
Jan 21st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Awesome. Damn in just in 24hrs! Hectic. Very impressive.
Jan 21st, 2009 at 5:47 pm
NICE!
In 24 hours, very impressive. I hope the IEC dude will see this Chris.
Jan 21st, 2009 at 10:11 pm
It’s great to be able to show what’s actually possible in just 24 hours. It gives everyone a really good idea of what all these things should cost. Naturally the design is just one thing, the implementation is a whole new ball game, but still, it’s a good start :)
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 8:23 am
But…but…where’s your ?! You don’t even have any animated gifs! I would also like a song to play in the background when it loads, please.
Yours sincerely,
A government client and his committee.
(PS. Please note that we’ll blame you when it looks like crap after our input.)
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
@ Chris M: Yes really a good show for just 24 hours!
@ red: Aargh the amount of times I’ve heard the animated gif or SOUND IN THE BACKGROUND. How do you guys persuade the client to not use it?
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
Good Morning,
I have seen that design already when I joined the IEC in December 2008. I think you are either employed by the IEC or have connections within the IEC. Which one is it?
Kind Regards
Mr. Malesela Samuel Mogale
082.959.7389
http://www.PDCA.co.za
http://www.SouthAfrica2010.co.za
http://www.TelephoneDirectory.co.za
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hello Mr Mogale,
Sorry I do not follow your post? Can you please explain again what you are saying?
Thanks
ps. no need to paste links to your ’sites’ we know them very well.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 am
I think maybe you were dreaming Mr. Mogale
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:28 am
Read it again if you don’t understand it. It is in plain simple English.
Kind Regards
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
Yes I was dreaming. I am a dreamer!
Kind Regards
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 10:24 am
you chaps are useless.
Instead of linking up with the well-connected Mr Mogale and trying to get a piece of the pie you pull down his pants in public.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
@ naysh,
Yes they are. To think of it I have a lot of work to do. This means I have to get people to help me. I was going to consider them. But no, I will not because they will probably spend their time blogging.
Kind Regards
Mr. Malesela Samuel Mogale
082.959.7389
http://www.PDCA.co.za
http://www.SouthAfrica2010.co.za
http://www.TelephoneDirectory.co.za
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hi Malesela,
Nice of you to pop in and see what we’re all showing you. I’m the one who is too busy blogging and being the eye of the public, however, the gents who did the design and not bloggers and would therefore have the time to get involved with you.
Contact them @ http://www.rubiksroom.com and they’ll chat to you!
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
@naysh – The premise of this was to get down to the bottom as to how much this cost and how the designer/developer was selected, that’s simply it.
As far as a piece of the pie goes, that was not my aim, I simply put the information out there and hoped that people would get involved. Malesela has every right to contact the designers and talk to them, I’m sure they’ll give him solid help and suggestions, but his moves are out of my hands.
Question – Do you think a direct approach would have actually made a difference? Honestly.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I do not agree with naysh. Why would Malesela share his project (and therefore, spend the money on outsourcing) if the IEC has already approved of him and what work he is capable of doing?
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
@ Chris M
The pleasure is all mine.
Yes. A direct approach would have made a difference. Hence I put my name on all Meta tags of the websites I do. What if I didn’t go to Google and searched my name? I wouldn’t have found about Imod.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
@ Mike,
I am only the developer. I get only R 4 000 p/m salary. That money barely covers my taxi fare.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Well, that changes everything. Thanks for clearing that up Malesela – then the problem here is not you, it is whoever is in charge of you and the project. That is a junior level salary and I assume you are a junior level developer?
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I agree, that really does clear up a great deal!
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
@ Mike
Well what can I say? Beggars are not choosers. At least I can afford to buy bread to eat and an occasional Peanut Butter and Jam on month end. I heard that South African web developers are not paid well.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
The question then becomes… wtf is a junior-level developer doing a site that transfers confidential information to do with voter registration…
Btw… don’t know if anyone read on MyADSL they ran a Whois lookup on the SA2010 site [http://co.za/cgi-bin/whois.sh?Domain=southafrica2010]…
You’ll notice this in the whois:
4a. admin : Mogale, Malesela Samuel
4b. admintitle : CEO
I tried to browse your official site http://www.pdca.co.za but it, like all your work, doesnt work in firefox or IE… :P
So uhhh….
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I really hope that your contract doesn’t state that you’re prohibited from sharing your salary details with anyone.
Secondly, seeing that you’ve gone as far to tell us what you are paid for the job, would you consider proving this to us?
Based on your credentials, I would assume that you do actually have a good idea of the development world and would therefore, without a doubt, that developers are highly paid.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Chris, have you confirmed that this “MaleselaSamuelMogale” is indeed who he says he is? The last few comments he has made sound very troll-ish.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
@Russell, my thoughts exactly!
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
@Malesela – The is a very big difference between not paid well and exploitation!
I am a bit concerned now, as I have seen reports that the website cost 3mil, if you earn R4k pm, are you are the only resource on the job, using you as the only cost to the company, it should have taken you 62.5yrs to justify the cost of the site!
Pls clarify the cost of the website for us (if you are allowed to and if it will not endanger your job in any way)
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
and the plot thickens :P
IF this guy is the REAL dude…and if hes not talking kak…then R4k/month…on a website that is handling VERY sensitive info to a jnr developer who is working alone…
even @ the IEC’s admission of about R300k for the site there is something very fishy there….not to mention the security issues.
i smell a troll tho :-/ I wish that dude from the IEC would reply back and clear out these questions… because the more we dig…the more and more this looks like XXX taking R300k…giving this jnr dev R20k and pocketing the rest
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
prob a troll:
Details on the REAL Mogale…
Malesela Samuel Mogale
Owner, Malesela Samuel Mogale Business Enterprise (www.pdca.co.za)
Johannesburg Area, South Africa Computer Software
Current
Owner at Malesela Samuel Mogale Business Enterprise (www.pdca.co.za)
Past
Webmaster at SARCC (South African Rail Commuter Corporation)
Advanced Operational: Programmer at SITA
Webmaster/Web Portal Coordinator at Metrorail
Education
Khubo Net
Regenesys
CS Holdings
Connections
Summary
I qualify for this job because I am an avid web developer. I have both creative and technical skills. I am skilled in the following technologies ASP, HTML, JavaScript, VB Script, MSIB (Microsoft Solution for Internet Business), SharePoint Portal, Content Management Server, Commerce Server, XML, XSL, XSLT, DHTML, Macromedia Suite (Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Flash), Corel Suite (Draw and Photopaint) and Adobe Photoshop.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
The man knows SharePoint and only gets paid R4K a month? Either knows nothing about sharepoint or he’s just never bother to get a job where those skillz are used. Sharepoint devs get good money
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Quick, somebody go fetch Helen Zille again and let her see this! lol, can’t wait to hear about iMod of the news :)
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
@ StevenMcD
Thats a good point re the SharePoint thing…tho he could be talking kak…or that poster is just a troll.
Either way I would love to hear about this AND the 133T Project that is being born outa it on the news.
We have had such great response from so many people in the industry who are all feeling the same way about Massive amounts being paid to people who dont do a good job, and that in the international stage bring our (as designers/developers/IT professionals) respect down because ‘this is the best the govt decided to do with ALL the money’
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
@luckysocks I doubt if this is the real Mogale.
or even whether that was the real Zille.
Chris please verify
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
@naysh – I have been in contact with the DA via email.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Something smells fishy here. Just saying.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Someone with Magales skill should be snapped up corporations on !lets say 20K per month. He is either provoking the web community or he is a big BS
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
At the T133 guys:
You really need to get rid of the “man” in “for no man is free”.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Sorry. 133T.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
@Justin Slack
I assume you’re referring to the gender bias… This is not our attention – “man” is in reference to mankind…
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
*intention … gosh been a long day
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
@ All
It is I. I never lie. I am a very generous man. If you want a free http://www.SouthAfrica2010.co.za E-Mail address then send me a preferred user name and password combination. I will send back the http://www.SouthAfrica2010.co.za E-Mail.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:38 pm
@ All
If you are wondering how I got the job, then listen. I wend to an Employment Agency and gave them my CV. They E-Mailed me back and asked me to come see them for an interview. I went to the interview and aced it. I was then called again but this time to the IEC to do an interview. I also aced it and I was called again by the IEC to come write a test. I passed with a 100% mark and then I got the job. I believe I was meant for this position. I am a good guy who believes in his skills.
Kind Regards
Mr. Malesela Samuel Mogale
082.959.7389
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
“I believe I was meant for this position. I am a good guy who believes in his skills.”
I respect you for that.
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
@ Chris M
Thanks Broe!
Jan 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Successful troll is successful
Sigh
Jan 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 am
@Justin
I’m sure it’s not your intention, but why not use “people” or “persons”?
Apologies for potential thread derail.
Jan 28th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
@Chris – Malesela strikes back at me on my post – see comments, you’ll get a kick out of it I’m sure.
Jan 29th, 2009 at 8:16 am
rofl! @Deems, don’t worry mate. This guy has created a twitter account purely to called me a liar and flame me on twitter.
Its funny as hell. I ignore him now
Jan 29th, 2009 at 8:33 am
@ Deems
I DEEM you unnecessary. You are one sad LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSER! You disabled my comments on your blog at WordPress. Thus eliminating freedom of speech and democracy. That my friend is the same reason why you and your likes will never do the IEC internet. You represent the ancient regime that once ruled my beautiful country. It oppressed the sons and daughters of the soil and didn’t give them a say in anything. Comrade, YOU ARE A LOOOOOOOSER!
Kind Regards
Mr. Malesela Samuel Mogale
Jan 29th, 2009 at 8:34 am
ROFL!
You see guys, its all apartheid’s fault.
*sigh*
Jan 29th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Guys.. don’t feed the troll!
Jan 29th, 2009 at 8:37 am
@ StevenMcD,
LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! I DEEM you A LIAR! You think you are something special.
@All Rejects. I am compiling a story that I was once told. Watch the space.
Kind Regards
Mr. Malesela Samuel Mogale
Jan 29th, 2009 at 9:30 am
@Malesela – dude, maybe you should go and join #kids channel in IRC where all the other kids are and leave the professional forums to the rest of us.
Get your facts straight, like I did – your comments appear on my blog, just like everyone elses. I’ve impeded no one’s freedom. You’ve just hurt people’s eyes with the work (sic) that you produce.
Of course I’m something special, that’s what my wife and kids tell me every day. :)
Nom nom nom, more food for the troll.
Jan 29th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Mr Malesela, ChrisM is a very respected blogger and iMod is probably one of the greatest blogs in SA. He has achieved this by ensuring a certain level respect for all his readers and encourages his readers to respect themselves and others on this platform.
This conversation has however taken a turn for the worst and has become VERY unproductive. I urge you to please take a more mature stance when responding to comments made here.
To everyone else, can we please stop attacking Mr Malesela. His unfortunate lack of experience and skill for a project like those that he has been assigned is not to be mocked. The fault lies in those who thought that he was capable of achieving a standard that would acceptable.
His management is to blame and they should be held accountable not admittedly junior developer.
Please, again, respect ChrisM and iMod!
Jan 29th, 2009 at 10:44 am
No we dont need to respect him, we dont need to not make fun of him (if it IS him) – its our own opinion and we are free to express it.
he’s done multiple govt websites and they are all bad. (soz) which means that he must have done this before, and been paid. And any1 who is in the industry follows news…and if he works every day for R4k/m and then reads in the paper that the new website/portal is budgeted @ R3mil and doesn’t find that fishy and report/whistle blow on it…he is less of a south african than us that are trying to prevent gross overspending/corruption/etc that is plaguing this great land.
so yeah. if u are who you say you are, give us your contact in the IEC. Tell us who you were hired by. because until u do that (if you are the real guy) you are no better than the corrupt big fish above you.
@ rest: please try keep this thread clean. he can make a tool of himself but take the higher ground.
Jan 29th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus – “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
I would bet on the odds that it is another dev poking fun ;-)
Jan 29th, 2009 at 11:05 am
If that is the real Mogale… he’ll understand when I say: “cough cough – Accenture” but I highly doubt it.
Jan 29th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
@DChetty – Thank you for putting that in here, I appreciate it!
Jan 29th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Perhaps now is a good time to lock the comments on this post?
Feb 24th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I knew there was a reason I don’t pay tax
Feb 24th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Hahahhaha
Mar 12th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Your country ? Stop living in the past dude. Your site breaks every rule in the book, and to boot it looks shit. I don’t care if you were payed R10 or 3 Mil, you are not qualified, but forever disadvantaged, ne comrade ? Stick to what you’re good at, your salary obviously reflects your skills too. Web Dev’s get paid plenty, if your worth your salt, and your not. I am harsh yes, but man get a live, at least get somebody who can do a design, and structure that makes sense ..
Mar 12th, 2009 at 11:17 am
@Chris – The answer is quite simple here, let me break it down for you.
Firstly, I am not a web developer nor a web designer, I am an Operations Manager and SEO.
Secondly, iMod is a pet project I started many moons ago, the website is a place where I talk about things I enjoy, it has nothing to do with a reflection of my skills in terms of validating to standards.
Thirdly, I am not paid to do this website. I’m sure your intelligence will allow you to understand that this site is about the content and not the LAF? Thought so. I see that light bulb above your head now.
Lastly, should I decide to treat my clients less effeciently and put my time into my blog, then yes, I could redesign the website, I could write clean, optimized and validated code, but (and I’m sure you agree) I should be looking after my clients before ensuring that I satisfy, just ONE, random user who decides to question my integrity. Unless you operate differently and put your clients second, well, then I take it back.
I would prefer it if you would do some research before coming in here and attempting to ignorantly flame me – Have some respect and if that’s too much to ask for, then rather “get a live” (or a dictionary) and go explore another avenue online.
Mar 12th, 2009 at 11:23 am
@ChrisM – dude is the other dude (chris) not talking about the other dumb-f*** “Mogale” ??
feel the rage!
Mar 12th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Ok, Chris, now I’m confused, I reread your comment and get the feeling that you were referring to Mogale’s comments and not my website?
If that’s the case, I seem awfully rude and I apologise for my comment. My reason is that I’m sick of the haters coming here and commenting about my blog not validating and so forth, I’m aware of this, the topic was NEVER about my blog :)
Mar 12th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Chris M, I beg your pardon, I was not referring too you in any way, I was directing the post at Mr. MaleselaSamuelMogale.
Sorry, I thought it was obvious, hehe
Mar 12th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Haha no fear, I have thin skin but a thick head.
Mar 12th, 2009 at 11:26 am
@Chris – You’ve got mail.
Mar 12th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
ROFL! And the award for misunderstanding of the week goes to…….
Had a good laugh there.
Mar 12th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Ya Steven, haha, flame away ;)
Mar 12th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Ok I might have been harsh there.
@MaleselaSamuelMogale
drop the racist – used to shreds – card (MaleselaSamuelMogale said: “why you and your likes will never do the IEC internet. You represent the ancient regime that once ruled my beautiful country” ), ffs kid cry us a river you sad sod. Maybe he just does not like you, your arrogant, self inflating, negative, living in the past, cry baby, tell me please .. what’s to like ? MOVE ALONG if you dare.
Get a designer in your team WHO CAN DO THE JOB, accept the fact that you are, not THE SHIT, and maybe you’ll get respect. It’s earned not awarded.
O and I’ll not say another word here. Thank you and good bye.
Mar 12th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Well, misunderstading aside, it did make for some interesting reading. :-) Thanks to both Chris and Chris.