Why develop a website about Ken Grimwood?

At the continued insistence of a friend, I bought and read Replay for the first time in the Fall of 2000. She was right, Replay was a great book. In fact, I did an immediate re-read just to calculate the two main characters' ages by the end of the book. Then after hearing of Ken's death in 2003, my friend and I began purchasing hardcover copies of all of Ken's books, collecting our KGLs (Ken Grimwood Libraries), as we like to call them. I've been wanting to learn HTML for awhile and decided I would in 2006. Creating a Ken Grimwood dedication website seemed like a good first project for me as I learn HTML.

How have I and how do I plan to keep developing this site?

** I am currently converting over to version 2 **

Version 1 is a relatively simple text based web design, images being the only graphics. It is written completely in HTML. I used no other programs such as Microsoft's Frontpage, even though I own a copy, to create this website. There is nothing complicated like frames or non-photo graphics. I have a look that I like, the black background, the red and blue lines (extended ascii characters). I'm going to play with only a font or two, the main font being arial. There will be small changes, mostly to do with figuring out image management, that is, controlling the size and placement of images on the screen. Adding content, like pictures and writings, is the most important part of this version.

Version 2 is more of an evolution than a complete change from version 1. I'm still writing strictly in HTML, but using tables to attempt to control where this and that show on a page. I've reduced the width of the pages from 750 pixels to 600 pixels and, though some might think it rather subtle, I've changed the look of the pages, moving away from the red and blue divider lines to strictly blue lines and fewer of them and with no text inside the lines. It's a cleaner look and a whole lot easier to manage. I'm pleased with the look. I'm working on getting either my KGL or the Weaverville KGL professionally photographed, and with better photo software like Adobe Photoshop, make them efficient (byte size) and attractive (easy to see) at the same time. I should be finished with the conversion to v2 by early March, 2007.

My vision for version 3 will be a very modern looking, fully graphical looking website with all the bells and whistles, including animation (I have a couple ideas for the opening). I have a good idea what I want this version of the site to look like. Sadly, very little artistic blood flows in my veins. However, my youngest daughter and/or the owner of the Weaverville KGL (both are good artists) might be able to help me out in drawing/sketching pieces for different parts of the website. I may have to invest in web development software like CoffeeCup web design software to complete this stage. My target date for release of version 3 is sometime in 2008.