FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2001, 4:30 p.m. Project Edith Launched to Rave Advanced Reviews BARNES PLACE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) - After six months of highly classified work, the New Barnes Place.com code named Project Edith was officially uploaded today, launching a new era for the web site. Advanced reviews are raving about Project Edith, and claim it raises the bar for personal web sites, creating a new standard for how friends and family can stay in touch. Visitors can view the new site at http://www.barnesplace.com. A NEW PRECEDENCE FOR EXCELLENCE "You've established a precedence for excellence," proclaims one advanced review. Every page has been re-worked, sections added, and sections deleted. Project Edith takes advantage of new features and programming language that have become available since the initial launch of Barnes Place.com. "We really didn't know what we were doing when we published the web site," said Director of Ambiance and Entertainment Timothy State. "We weren't sure of the content, we were self-taught in programming HTML, and we knew nothing about how to make things look good on the web. If you think it looked good before, just wait until you see it now." Just as much work went on behind-the-scenes of the site as did the actual portal visitors see. The pages have been optimized for viewing on the most popular browsers, and simplified to make updating the site quick and easy. The structural changes also make faster load times. "We think whether your have a dial-up account or high-speed internet service, you'll enjoy surfing the new Barnes Place.com just as much as before," said Director of Catering and Guest Relations Anthony Dornacher. FRESH SECTIONS The sections to the site have been modified some, in a more logical manner. Gone is the Region section, which has been replaced with a Leisure and a Hobbies section. The Administration section has been changed to the Office of the Social Secretary. "The web is so rich with information, we just didn't feel it was necessary to discuss Atlanta or the region on our site. Other sites can cover that information, and other sites do it well. You'll find links to some of the sites we recommend on the links page now," said Dornacher. "We decided to take the approach that if there is another venue for the information, we'll step back in that area. However, if we can highlight the information in a way no others can, then let's add it to the site," said State. Thus, the creation of the Leisure and Hobbies section. The best way to summarize the leisure section is, "Where the boys are." What ever they're up to worth sharing that doesn't fall naturally into another section, you'll now find it in the Leisure section. "Love, love, love the writing," proclaimed one reviewer. The Hobbies section provides a place for Tim's essay's and photography hobbies to be displayed. "I've really been pushing him to expand those areas, but before there wasn't a natural section for us to display such topics. Now we have a space," said Dornacher. The results of both Dornacher and State's family tree research are also posted in the Hobbies section. NEW OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL SECRETARY Many requests have been received for a guest book, and a place where people can see past press releases. The Office of the Social Secretary now has those features, as well as others, broken down into sub-sections. Included in the Office of the Social Secretary is: Staff photos Past press releases Social register update forms (to add your name to our e-mail newsletter list) NEW: Current weather conditions (to be added in the near future) NEW: Social Calendar at Barnes Place Links NEW: Guest book feature BRIGHTER BRIGHTS The site has been completely redesigned in pleasing web-safe colors. The Blanche logo drives the look of the new site, and a few bells and whistles have been added, such as roll-overs. "The new design is pleasing to the eye and easy to read no matter what platform or browser you're using. We think you'll enjoy the clean, new look," said Dornacher. "I love the flow. Very easy to navigate," said one reviewer. The site has been organized so it will take no more than two or three clicks to get from the main page to any page in our site. In addition, any link that takes you to a page not in the complete control of Barnes Place.com (that is, there is no menu bar at the top page to take you to the main section pages), the page opens in a new window. As a result, getting back to Barnes Place.com is simply a matter of closing a window. BARNES PLACE MEMORABILA Barnes Place logo items can now be purchased in the new Store section. That's right, visitors have been asking for Blanche T-shirts, and now we have them. Not only do we have t-shirts, but we have coffee mugs, mouse pads, tote bags, hats and caps. You can purchase these items over a secure web site from reputable Cafepress.com using your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Check or cash. Barnes Place.com also operates in association with Amazon.com. You can link to your main Amazon.com page through the Barnes Place store site, and a portion from every purchase will go to help build and enhance Barnes Place.com. If you order from Amazon.com often, please bookmark the store page, and click through Barnes Place.com every time you order. "Overall, we think you're going to be pleased with the new look," said State. "It provides a great deal of flexibility for us to expand the site over time, easily and quickly. So come on in, the door is open." --END--