Thoughts

Thoughts and Articles from Blend Interactive

Joe Kepley  |  March 20, 2023

What is DXP Really Going to Do For You?

A stylized photo of a construction site.

So ... what IS DXP? And how do you navigate the different forms and add-ons available within a digital experience platform (DXP)? Blend CTO Joe Kepley discusses the ins and outs of DXP, including how to prioritize the rollout of new features.

Development  |  Digital Optimization  |  Strategy

March 15, 2023  |  The Web Project Guide Podcast

Episode 17: Plan for Hosting (w/ Elias Lundmark)

A server with a coffee cup on it in a cloud.

Corey asks Deane a brutally honest question: as non-developers, why should we care about hosting at all? Then, Elias Lundmark, product manager for cloud hosting at Optimizely, joins us to talk about website hosting in common terms — cloud versus on-premises, the reality (and politics) of “five 9s,” and the things you need to understand before choosing a hosting provider or vendor offering.

Design and Front-End  |  Development

Bob Davidson  |  March 13, 2023

On Homemade Tools

Metalworking materials.

Whether building websites and applications or repairing tractors, tools are at the center of life. Director of Development Bob Davidson believes in “the right tool for the right job,” but sometimes the right tool is not at hand. Sometimes it makes sense just to make your own.

Development  |  Optimizely

Joe Kepley  |  February 28, 2023

When is Headless the Right Solution: A Guide to Going Headless

 A flowchart showing a server connecting to a computer monitor with the word A P I in between.

If you’ve looked into building or upgrading a website in the last few years, you may have heard about “headless” content management systems (CMS). But what is a "headless" system? And, more importantly, when is it the right solution?

Development  |  Strategy

February 21, 2023  |  The Web Project Guide Podcast

Episode 16: Select a Content Management System (w/ Cathy McKnight)

A parade of cars with a blimp in the center.

Corey and Deane talk about a Donald Rumsfeld quote, and about the concept of “unknown unknowns.” Then, Cathy McKnight, Chief Problem Solver and lead analyst for The Content Advisory, joins us to talk about selecting a content management system — the process for choosing a system, how a CMS selection analyst can help keep vendors honest, and what to do if you’re selecting on your own.

Design and Front-End  |  Development

Joe Kepley  |  February 21, 2023

ChatGPT, Bard, and the New Wave of AI: What it Means for the Web

An old 80s computer surrounded by speech bubbles, with one that says "AI".

The path to computer intelligence hasn't proven quite so direct. On the surface, brains and computers seem very similar, but it's clear that computers aren't thinking yet. 

AI  |  Content and IA  |  Strategy

Dustin Jansick  |  February 13, 2023

An Introduction to Sprints and Sprint Planning

A stylized web calendar.

Life is full of complicated projects — event planning, construction, and, yes, building a website. This introduction to sprints and sprint planning will illustrate how we keep it all moving forward.

Development  |  Project Management

Chase Burandt  |  January 25, 2023

Upgrading from Umbraco 7 to 11 — The Editor Experience

A stylized background with an Umbraco logo.

Umbraco no longer supports Umbraco 7. What does this mean for the overall editorial experience, and what can you expect as you begin upgrading?

Development  |  Umbraco

January 17, 2023  |  The Web Project Guide Podcast

Episode 15: Determine System Requirements (w/ Joe Kepley)

A person drawing a blueprint of a rocket and an astronaut.

Corey and Deane discuss the three parts of selecting a CMS: requirements, tool, and development team. Then, Joe Kepley, chief technical officer at Blend Interactive, joins us to discuss the world of translating design and IA into code within a content management system — including balancing groundbreaking design with realistic engineering — and the need to tie high-level project goals into the real nuts and bolts of code.

Design and Front-End  |  Development

January 12, 2023

Promoting Balance at Blend: SlackBlocks and Balance Boards

Shoes on a balance board.

It's a new year, and that means many of us are focused on well-being. Here at Blend, we have provided a bit of extra balance.