This is the section that is regarded as Shrine-like. All of these sites have contributed to Shiola.com in one way or another and that means we have become eBlood Brothers. We have cut our pages and squeezed the blood from them until we swapped HTML code, and that is a bond that can't be broken - not even by hackers.
• PHP List - a free newsletter program for managing subscriptions and sending emails. Free and easy to customise and use. It was part of my hosting in Fantastico so it was easier to install than breathing.
• PHP Jabbers - I got the Flash poll used on the home page and throughout the site from these guys. Cost $29 which I thought was a bargain. Easy to customise the colours although not the font, but a quick email to these boys and they sorted me out, so top marks for customer service.
• CaRP Evolution - this is the RSS to HTML convertor used on the home page for the Shiola, Forum and Linkdumpster feeds. Easy to use and the CaRP Evolution only costs $30 so it's a bargain. Does loads of things plus you can use it on as many sites as you want so well worth the small investment. Amen! Thank you Jesus!
• The $5 Script Archive - great site with loads of great scripts for only $5. The Forum Chatroom came from here. If you have a website then you need to check this place out now.
• 13 Scripts - here's where the script for the Linkdumpster came from, the 'Babelogger V1' script. It's easy to use, redesign and works better than oxygen.
• Modesty Panel - quiz script for Priest or Beast quiz blatantly nicked from here.
• Script Asylum - provided the code for the Shoe Saddam game.
• TagBoard - this is the script for The Shiola Shoutbox on the home page. Go to the download section and you can get it for free. Easy to install and redesign. Mousieur, you spoil us.
• iCodeViruses.com - this is where I got the commenting script which is used throughout the site at places like 'Modern Art Is Crap' and 'Jacko's Per Pro'. It's called 'Post-Its' and is like a very simple guestboook but without the hassle. Nice and easy. This link will take you to a forum as the original place I got the script from no longer exists. The iCodeViruses.com domain is credited in the source code so contacting someone at that site might help you, or if you get deperate then I can give you a copy cause I'm a top bloke!
• vBulletin - This is the software that runs the Shiola.com forum. This software is easy to install, redesign, manage and understand.
• Dragon's Lair - this is the original game which I bastardised and redesigned to make the 'Fruity Machine', so thanks Neil Chivers, wherever you might be.
• Darrian Lynx - Darrian's Sexy Silhouttes font is what I used for the various 'Light Blue Ladies' around the logo and elsewhere. No particular reason why, but an old design adage says 'If you're stuck for ideas get some beautiful ladies involved'. I think some of Darrian's magic sprinkled around the site has done the trick. Unfortunately Darrian's site is no longer online, she looks even better than the girls on the font!
• Fontalicious - This is where I got the 'Gravity' font which is the font for all the graphical text used in the logo. Looks like his Fontalicious.com site has gone to the great web server in the sky which is unfortunate as it was a really good one. O'well, at least 1001fonts.com is keeping the late, great Fontalicious and his fonts alive.
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Milonic - These blighters know how to build a menu. This is where I got the one for the Shiola.com site. It's a JavaScript DHTML Popup Navigation menu and even though it sounds flash and complicated, it's actually surprisingly simple to change to fit your own style. If I recommend these boys any higher I'd have to set up the 'Church of Milonic', but I can't be arsed. Cheers Milonic.
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Atomz - This site provides you with a free search facility on your site, up to 500 pages indexed, you have to pay for more. Once again, it's easy to use and change the design to fit your site, even for dumb arses like us. Without this and the menu above, we'd all be lost in the world of Shiola.com unable to find our way out. Thank you Atomz for guiding us.
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Easily - Is a domain reseller based in the UK. I have used them for buying domain names at work and personally, and have had no problems, infact they have been helpful! Jesus!! Easy to use, good admin, good helpdesk, plus NO hidden charges. Before you buy with anyone else check the hidden charges for web forwarding, changing DNS, moving your name to another host, etc. Some other resellers really stitch you up in the small print.
• Aquarium Hosting - This is where Shiola.com is being hosted at the moment. The guy who runs it is top notch and gives you the kind of personal service that the big boys don't bother with. I give it 55 out of 10. Ironically, his site isn't online so the link takes you to the Aquarium forum.
• CafePress - I've used for the Shiola Store. They do all the work and I just upload inspirational designs...OK then, designs.
