In 1994 we introduced our first software title for Macs and PCs. To get people to buy our software, we started advertising and sending out postcards and catalogs. Our first website, Learning Fundamentals was up and running in 1998. We’ve been adding new sites for our different interests and for clients ever since. Our first app was introduced in 2011 and we now have 31 apps for reading, cognition, and speech. This page has some of the projects we’ve done over the years with links for more info about them.
Web Sites
Responsive Design
Our usage stats show that more people are visiting our websites from mobile devices. We built a template to make it easier to transition websites to the new design. Our design is based on Open Source CSS, JavaScript, and HTML5 that we’ve adapted to run using PHP.
Learning Fundamentals
This is our main web site. On it you can read about about our software and apps, demo LocuTour software, and engage in on-line exercises. We also have an ordering page for software and links for downloading apps and software.
Touring Machine Company
Touring Machine Company is my website for flying related info. I use it to collect links to interesting sites, collect opinions from around the internet on interpreting the FARs, and as the location of the questions and answers to the FAA pilot knowledge tests.
Slip Into View
In 2008 we set up a website to automate the process of designing websites. We developed a handful of layouts and lots of color palettes for clients to choose. The objective was to have a semi-automated process for small service businesses, like physical therapists, speech pathologists, doctors, and dentists. We still offer the service, but are not actively pursuing new clients.
Central Coast Interiors
This is an example of a design we did in 2008 for one of our first web clients. The owner of this site provided photos and content. We did the site design made some minor edits to the content. We also did some minor editing to the photos.
The Glen at Broadstone
The owner of this site needed a web site in preparation for a meeting with the bank. We created this site in three days using owner-supplied photos and logo. We suggested the site layout and the owner provided most of the content. The owners used a printed copy of the site in their presentation to the bank.
SensorSentry
This is an example of a site where the owner has an objective and we help them attain it. The owner of this site chose the colors and we provided the site design. We also helped with the structure of the site and rewrote much of the text.
SensorSentry - Client Site
This project is a visual redesign of a temperature monitoring site. It still shows the same content but we fixed the color scheme and layout to make it easier to read. Elements are now lined up, button sizes are consistent, and graphs are easier to read. The changes were all easy to make, but the programmers didn’t realize they needed to be done.
Marketing
Learning Fundamentals Postcard
This is a postcard announcing the availability of special priced ‘Combos’. The postcard was mailed to 5,000 recent customers using Vistaprint for printing and mailing. You can view the full-size postcard here.
Vineyard and Wine Cellar Monitoring Postcard
Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can ruin an otherwise promising harvest. This brochure explains the services provided by Precision Monitoring. Vistaprint was used for printing. You can view the full-size postcard here.
Walnut Street Office Postcard
This is a postcard announcing the availability of medical/office space. We created a mailing list of 1,700 doctors sent the postcard out using Vistaprint for printing and mailing. You can view the full-size postcard here.
World of Pinot Noir Postcard
This postcard was used to inform conference attendees that wine cellar temperature and humidity is something that doesn’t have to be left to chance. You can view the full-size postcard here.
Learning Fundamentals Catalog
We primarily focus on web and CD projects, but occasionally need to do print projects for marketing. We made an online version of our catalog for people who like that sort of thing. You can download a PDF of the print version of the CD catalog or the App catalog.
Stafford—Las Casitas
The client needed a way to present their rental units in a tightening rental market. This site shows off the interiors of the units, provide easy access to rental documents, and highlight the proximity to campus. We also made a brochure that matches the site. Contrast the new design with the old.
Hangar 46 Flyer
This is an example of how we can turn a basic idea into something that has a more professional feel to it. The original flyer conveys the fact that aviation maintenance services are available, but it doesn’t capture your attention. The revised version is visually more appealing and focuses your attention.
Sensor Sentry Postcard/Brochure
The brochure highlights the features of the Sensor Sentry service. The postcard is a summary of a more detailed brochure. It is designed to inform potential customers of the services offered by Sensor Sentry and direct them to the web site for more information.
Facebook Sites
Facebook allows targeted advertising and the ability to communicate with your customers on a regular basis. We developed the LocuTour Multimedia page and a Learning Fundamentals page and frequently display ads to get the word out about our products.
Software
Apps for iPad and iPhone
Apps are great for working with children and adults who have language, speech, and attention issues. Our software uses colorful pictures to grab your client’s attention but the most important part of the software is the built-in voice recorder. Clients can hear their own voice, compare it to our production, hear the difference, and make corrections. We recently added rewards to the apps, for children who need reinforcement.
LocuTour Multimedia
We’ve been making software for language, learning, and speech since 1994. Most of the software is written in Director and Flash. The software uses photos, drawings, and videos to allow children and adults to practice language and memory skills. The example at the left comes from a DVD that teaches sight words.
FAA Glossaries
This app for iPads and iPhones is a collection of Glossaries found in FAA publications for pilots. It includes words, terms, and acronyms from seven FAA books. There is even a quiz section where you can test your knowledge.
Time Timer®
Seeing how much time you have left makes it easy for students to concentrate on the learning activity rather than worrying about when they’ll be done. We use a Time Timer in several of our CDs and built standalone versions for the company. We recently did an update to incorporate 10 languages and user suggestions.
On-line Exercises
We’ve taken the content for some of our CDs and reformatted it to work on the internet. We started with exercises for learning the basic sounds of English and have now put many of the Artic-like games on-line. We’ve also included exercises for learning basic arithmetic skills—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Training
Learning Labels
Paper is expensive but electrons are cheap. Textbooks can show the parts of a plane but are limited in the number of different examples that can be shown. This web page shows that something as simple as a wing can come in various configurations. The rollover feature lets you test your memory by mentally labeling the parts, then rolling over them to check your answer.
Understanding Interactions
A textbook can show static images but a web site can show the interaction of the different parts. This page allows the student to simulate airplane attitudes and see what happens to the gauges. It will also allow the student to practice recovery from unusual attitudes learn to detect instrument failure. These things can be explained in textbooks but not practiced.
FAA Knowledge Tests
In this version, one question at a time is presented. Roll over the links on the right to see the answer and a detailed explanation. The questions are presented in a random order. The student can concentrate on one subject or use the page as a practice test where topics are intermixed.
Understanding Crosswind Component
This page is an example of a simple tutorial. It shows how to calculate the crosswind component using a table and also by using rules of thumb. It also provides links to other explanations and real-world examples.
Annual Inspection Checklist
An inspector at the FAA published a checklist of items that need to be done for annual inspections. He has never used it to conduct an actual annual inspection, so the format and arrangement needed some improvement. Here is the original version and here is our most recent iteration.
Airplane Rental
I’ve been spending a lot of time fixing airplanes lately. This was a fixer upper that turned out nicely. I decided to keep it and rent it out as a trainer or for short weekend trips. When the insurance go to be too expensive for students, I turned it into a club plane.