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Schnauzer Space : About : About the Redesign

About SchnauzerSpace v4.0

Welcome to the latest redesign of SchnauzerSpace: Cyberspace for Schnauzers. In this fourth version of the web site, I decided to get 'back to basics' in more than a few ways.

Since its humble beginnings in 1996, I wanted SchnauzerSpace to be different than any other dog sites on the internet. My goal was to create a fun and informative web site that people for dog lovers and non-dog lovers alike.

Design Goals

One of my primary ambitions was to draw in people who would ordinarily go never go to dog web sites. This goal was achieved. Like the rest of Frank's World, SchnauzerSpace has seen its visitors grow ten thousand fold.

Looking to the future, I decided to take a look at the best design aspect of the past: this site works best when it most reflects the personality of my Schnauzer.

Since nearly every Schnauzer I have ever owned has been an elderly rescue dog, many of my dogs pass on before on too long. The result has been heartbreak, but a rewarding sense that a great dog was given love and care in its last years of life.

As any dog owner will tell you, every dog has its own unique personality and sense of style. Princess cherished simple joys and definitely got into technology if it helped her connect with other people and dogs.

SchnauzerPunk

The original design of SchnauzerSpace had an underlying 'Cyberpunk' theme, which I referred to as 'SchnauzerPunk.' It was an irreverent, yet approachable design premise, which combined canine imagery with hacker sensibilities.

The second version of the site extended the site's original blueprint with more up-to-date 1998-era technologies and interface enhancements. Think of it as SchnauzerSpace Service Pack 1.
Not too long after that, Princess passed away. Her loss was sudden and heartrending. Work on the site came to a stop and it became too hard to update the site and unthinkable to take it down.

Some time later, a very special rescue dog became available. His name was Jake and, up until his owner's stroke, had a wonderful life. When his owner became unable to take care of herself, let alone her dogs, Jake, his sister, and his nephew needed homes.

Jake, as an older male with liver problems, had trouble finding a home.As soon as I read the post on the internet, I knew that I had to take care of this little guy.

Lounge Lizzards

Jake was a great dog and had all the elements of style of the classic 'Rat Pack.' You could literally see him playing baccarat with Sinatra, Sammy, and Dean. He was strictly black tie and Joey Bishop. Consequently, SchnauzerSpace was redesigned to reflect his classic 'Lounge' sensibilities.

Jake later became diabetic, developed cataracts and his health over time faded. We lost him 1999. In some ways, he lives on. The 'Uncle Jakey' character in the Dogpranos is based on him (and Uncle Junior, of course).

Losing two dogs in three years was upsetting enough, so you could imagine when I was emailed about another hard luck case about a month after Jake died. A 4 year old male dog lost his eyesight due to a genetic disease called PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy).

Initially, I was not in favor of putting my heart out on the line again, but when I met Chas, I decided to take the chance.

Where my dawgs at?

Eventually, I learned that Chas like rap music, particularly Dr. Dre and West Coast styled rhymes. Even his mannerisms and reactions to music depict a dog familiar with urban youth culture.

SchnauzerSpace version 4 has an underlying urban motif that complements Chas' urban persona.

The site is also very approachable, like Chas. Hip-hop culture can be very intimidating to outsiders, but I wanted to keep the openness and welcoming spirit of the site intact.

I hope you enjoy the site.

SchnauzerSpace: Cyberspace for Schnauzers is
© 1996-2004Frank's World Entertainment Network and Smoothium

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