Pubsulike - Behind the Scenes

The original databases were compiled and verified by a series of operators, this process was started in 1999 and continued into 2000. The databases are now updated on a daily/weekly basis. The original Websites were 'static' html based pages, and the content was updated on a monthly basis by uploading the new pages to our servers. The new Websites now make extensive use of ASP/XHTML technology and all the information can be updated online from anywhere that has internet access. A suite of web management routines allow our researchers to add or amend entries to the databases. The process of maintaining the accuracy of the databases is an ongoing one and a number of researchers contact the businesses on a regular basis to ensure the data is kept upto date. It is essential for any successful Website to evolve, incorporating new technologies, not just for technologies sake, but for the improvement of the services that the Website provides. It is with this in mind that the development of the Ulike Websites progress, any Website that does not evolve will surely die but through continued innovation and development the Ulike Websites are offering more facilities than any other Website in their category.

Mole End Design, run by Lorraine Connelly, provides professional graphic design for print, advertising and multimedia. Mole End Design's customer base include the Wessex Group, and a wide variety of small businesses throughout the South of England. Lorraine Connelly an experienced Graphic Designer, utilises the latest technology which when combined with her inherant design skills ensures that the finished article is presented in a professional manner which is only equalled by larger design bureaus. The Ulike Websites are currently being converted to XHTML and will at completion adhere to the W3C standard for web page design. This standard ensures for cross browser and cross operating support and is a very neglected area of Website design. Additional graphical enhancements are being made to the Websites as users have come to expect more visually stimulating content, this does not detract from the primary purpose of the Websites, which is still to provide the user with accurate information quickly and reliably.

Sue White painted much of the original artwork used throughout the Ulike Websites. We decided that rather than use some 'standard' clipart for the various images required we would commission an artist to paint the required pictures and then with a combination of traditional and new technologies produce the final images used. The categories used on Takeawaysulike and Restaurantsulike were painted by Sue White and then scanned by Lorraine Connelly of Mole End Design. The resultant images have been used throughout those Websites and as we add new categories additional artwork will be commissioned to accompany the data. Sue White regularly exhibits her work at Dorset Art Week. A gallery of some of Sue's work will be incorporated in our Help pages very soon.