Planning for the Listonga.com Launch

The concept for Listonga.com is a website that gathers a vast variety of lists on nearly every topic and makes them available all in one place on the web. Eventually visitors will be able to leave comments about lists, add lists, and maybe even discuss topics from the lists on a bulletin board. I want the site to be a place for learning, fun, and research. Topics will include everything from sports to self-help.

I recently started work on the Listonga website and it's beginning to take shape. I began by developing a mockup of the homepage using Microsoft Publisher. I saved the file as a JPEG which allowed me to use it as a template while creating the page in Abobe Dreamweaver. I still have a lot to learn about web development and the studying at Lynda.com continues. I have also applied at a local community college where I hope to take a class or two in web development.

The logo is complete and the site is beginning to take shape. The goal is to have the site ready for operation on January 1, 2008. I also have a goal of having 100 lists on the site by that date. By the way, if you have a list idea, feel free to email me at coryan@inbox.com.

Listonga.com Under Development

I know, I've only made two prior posts on this blog and already I'm developing a stand alone website. Well, actually, that was the plan from the very beginning. I will probably continue the blog just to talk about the process of setting up the site and gathering lists from every imaginable source.

So, let's start with the idea for Listonga. Here's how this got started.

First, I have been looking for a career change for the past several months. To learn more about that journey, check out my other blog, UTurnAhead.

After deciding to get into web development, I brainstormed a list of about 10-12 website ideas. I then went to the Internet to search for available domain names. This turned out to be more of a challenge that I had expected. I used GoDaddy.com to research specific domain names and NameBoy.com and MakeWords.com to help generate new name ideas. After about three hours of work, I had a list of 20 available names that had (in my opinion) some potential for the website ideas I had generated. I narrowed the list down and purchased six of the domains.

The next day I started two blogs: Listonga and UTurnAhead. The blogs were to help me develop two of my website ideas and to learn about web design and advertising. I also signed up at Lynda.com, an amazing website with video tutorials covering more than 100 software titles. I have been learning to use Adobe's Photoshop and Dreamweaver (web design software) by watching the videos. It's been a lot to learn, but it's enjoyable and necessary.

Well, that's enough for today. Tomorrow I will tell you where I am with the actual Listonga.com website and how that is going.

Holy Popcorn, Batman! Best Comic Book Movies

If Batman and Superman were to get into a fight, who would win? Geez, Superman, of course. But who had the best movie based on their comic? Below are a couple opinions on the topic. But interestingly, only two movies (Ghost World, Superman: The Movie) appear on both top ten lists.

Top 10 Comic Book Movies by Kim Morgan at MSN’s Movie News:

1) Ghost World (2001)
2) Spider-Man (2002)
3) Batman Returns (2001)
4) Barbarella (1968)
5) Blade II (2002)
6) X-Men (2000)
7) Superman: The Movie (1978)
8) Popeye (1980)
9) Dick Tracy (1990)
10) Flash Gordon (1980)

Best & Worst Comic-Book Movies by Hilary Goldstein at IGN.com:

1) Batman Begins (2005)
2) A History of Violence (2005)
3) Spider-Man 2 (2004)
4) Superman: The Movie (1978)
5) Ghost World (2001)
6) Sin City (2005)
7) X2: X-Men United (2003)
8) American Splendor (2003)
9) Road to Perdition (2002)
10) Lone Wolf and Cub (1971) (actually a series of six movies)

And in case you are interested, Hilary also shares his thoughts on the five worse comic book movies of all time:

1) Punisher (1989)
2) Steel (1997)
3) Batman & Robin (1997)
4) Fantastic Four (1994)
5) Captain America (1990)

Seven Reasons to Read This Blog

1) Your here, might as well do something.

2) There is always the chance the I will post the winning lottery numbers.

3) Curiosity is killin' ya. What the hell is Listonga anyway?

4) You always wanted to know what is the most downloaded song on the Internet.

5) Lists bring order to your life.

6) It's a great place to gather trivia for Friday night's dinner party.

7) You got nothing better to do. (Okay, you probably do, but this is more fun.)

Listonga is a blog that writes and gathers lists of just about everything; from pop culture to personal development. We post lists that are interesting, informative and sometimes helpful.

Check back to see what's new on Listonga.