DJ Event Planner

DJEP Version 3.0 is finally here!

Hundreds of hours have gone into the redesign of Version 3.0. The entire application got a new color scheme and navigation structure.

In the process of redesigning the application, everything is now organized in a much more logical manner. Everything should be easier to find.

In addition, several bugs have been squashed, user interface quirks resolved, and new functionality has been added.

The major new functionality added to the system was Scheduled Emails, the ability to automatically send emails based on several criteria.

Enjoy the new DJEP!

On December 20th, 2006, there was an upgrade to the suite of DJ Website Tools. These tools are totally customizable to match the look and feel of your current website. The previous suite of website tools included: Client Logon, Check Availability, Request Information Form, Music Database, Guest Request System, and Event Calendar. The new tools include:

Payment Gateway

Live Demo

Contact Us Form

Live Demo

Changelog

Website Tools
The administrative interface for the Website Tools has been totally reworked. There are now left navigation links for each tool. On each tool page there is a button to Preview the tool, Get Direct Link, and Get Web Page Code. The settings pages themselves were cleaned up.

Payment Gateway Website Tool

Up until now, the payment gateway was only available to clients who had already logged in. There is now a brand new website tool so you can put a payment gateway right on your website.

Contact Us Website Tool

This is 100% brand new! In addition to the Request Information form, there is now a Contact Us form available. You can use this form to avoid putting your email address on your website. You can even add up to five custom questions to the contact form.

Availability Upgrades

There is now a separate Edit Availability settings pages and Specific Date Availablity Page. The settings page allows you to enter the maximum number of events per day and to select blacked out days of the week. The specific date availability page allows you to pick specific dates or date ranges to black out.

Knowledgebase

There is a new support avenue called the Knowledgebase. It is a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) system that allows you to ask questions and will be the foundation of the DJEP help system.

Forum Upgrade

This forum has been upgraded to the latest release. There are several bugfixes and a few improvements.

This is my first ever official blog entry. Wow. Despite having the skills to actually program web software like this, I've never taken the time to even demo any blog software. I almost feel retro joining the blogging revolution.

The goal of this blog is to chronicle the trials, tribulations, and features of the software that I've spent years creating. One of my first blog entries should be the background of how I started the software project known as djfinder, DJ Event Planner, or just "my full-time hobby".

I'll keep the first post short and sweet and sign off for now. Cheers!

DJFinder.com was registered on November 1st, 1999 and was the foundation of the DJ Event Planner software. The publically accessible portion of DJFinder is targeted at event planners. They can search for local DJ's by enterting their area code or city and state.

Both DJFinder and DJ Event Planner share the same database. They both have the same logon and interface. In addition to the free DJFinder search engine listing, DJ Event Planner subscribers have access to the powerful event management software and website tools.


Try out the search engine...

You can now reach us through email, telephone, or the recently upgraded forum. If you'd like to talk to a Real Live Person, give us a call at 612-605-7800. We are available during regular business hours and most evenings. Otherwise the support forum has many active members that are always willing to lend a hand.


Contact DJEP...

DJ Event Planner, also known as DJEP, is web-based software designed to help manage every aspect of a mobile disc jockey's business. Designed by Troy Ackerman, a 17 year veteran of the mobile DJ business, this software is tailored to the needs of those in the special event industry.


Screenshots of DJEP Functions...

I just finished creating the first ever DJ Website Tools demo video. After a brief into, I posted a few screenshots for folks to get a feel for some of the DJEP Website Tools. I thought that it would be easy to be short and sweet. My first version of the copy was 4 and 1/2 minutes. After some major editing I got the video down to about 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Watch The Video

While it isn't as polished as I wanted, I do feel pretty good with actually finishing the video. It was quite a bit of work to install/configure all of the software tools, to write the copy, find the background music, record the narration, and then finally to produce it.

The audio levels were a little hot because of the lack of control that I have on my production PC. I was able to use my beloved Audio-Technica mic to record the track. The A-T sounded way better than the My Little Sony microphone I found in my electronics stash. What I really need is one of those inexpensive USB mixers. I can't really justify a high-end sound card for my home PC. My DJ PC already has one of those.

The Monday Morning Newsletter was published. Here are the topics this week:

* Version 3.9 Released
* Freshen Up Your Website For The New Year
* Feature Of The Week: Email Templates

Read the newsletter here.

I ran across this on YouTube. Imagine doing this as a wedding party dance instead of the traditional shuffle.