StrataCafe.com - Personal Project

StrataCafe is the product of most of my free time since January 2001. StrataCafe is a community site focused on users of Strata3D, a 3D modelling, animation and rendering application. The site is programmed in ASP with a database back-end and allows members to perform a variety of tasks automatically:

• Create a personal user profile complete with links, a portrait, client logos, etc.
• Upload images and flash animations with thumbnails
• Comment on other users' creations
• Enter, manage and search a database of tips and tricks
• Upload, download and browse a large collection of models and textures
• Participate in monthly design challenges
• Discuss techniques in the forum
• Manage a large list of links relevant to the community
• Benchmark their computers using a standard model and check others results
• Purchase merchandise, such as mugs and mousepads and other partner products

Since the site went live in January of 2001; 5396 users have signed up, 6619 images have been posted, 628 models have been uploaded, 472 textures have been uploaded, 86 tips have been recorded, 114 benchmarks have been performed, 14 challenges have been held, with 273 entrants. Over 1.5 million people have visited StrataCafe, and 3,000 to 4,000 people continue to visit daily.

StrataCafe became so popular that Strata has adopted the site as the Official Strata User Community. I continue to manage and expand StrataCafe in my free time.