BlogEngine.NET is an open source asp.net 2.0 blogging project that was born out of desire for a better blog platform. A blog platform with less complexity, easy customization, and one that takes advantage of the latest .NET features.

BlogEngine.NET was designed using the current .NET framework and focused on simplicity, ease of extendibility, and innovative features. With BlogEngine.NET, we hope to create the natural blog of choice for all .NET Developers world wide.

BlogEngine.Net Features:  

• Plug’n play BlogEngine.NET is very easy to setup and customize for a .net developer. To make it work, just upload the files to an ASP.NET 2.0 webserver and you’re ready to start writing. No database configuration, just plug ‘n play.
• Full featured - BlogEngine.NET comes with all the features you would expect from a modern blog engine as well as new unique features such as AJAX comments and screenshot trackbacks.
• Web 2.0 - BlogEngine.NET features social bookmarks, OpenSearch support, XFN tags, AJAX, FOAF, SIOC, APML, Gravatars, coComments, tag cloud, Google sitemap and other so called Web 2.0 features.
• Referrer stats - The referrer statistics enables you to see which websites link to you, so you can follow up with comments or just to have fun. This feature is a real time killer that you cannot live without.
• Cool widgets - There is a variety of cool widgets that such as an AJAX post calendar or a blogroll that automatically retrieves the latest posts from each blog and displays the title beneath the blog. Most of the controls are configurable from the admin section.
• Advanced comment system - Comments are a very important part of a blog, so BlogEngine.NET features a very advanced commenting system in AJAX that supports country flags, live preview, Gravatars, coComments – all of which can easily be modified in the admin section.
• Full syndication suite - BlogEngine.NET supports syndication feeds in any possible location. You can find feeds on comments, categories, authors and a main feed. Both RSS 2.0 and ATOM 1.0 are fully supported.
• Trackbacks and pingbacks - All outgoing links from the posts is tracked- and pinged back, so your blog will get listed in the comments on the linked website if it supports it. When a new post is created, BlogEngine.NET automatically pings Technorati, Feedburner, Ping-o-Matic etc..
• Search - The search capability of BlogEngine.NET is one of the most advanced and it even allows the visitors to search in the comments. Everything about the search can be configured in the admin section.
• Standalone pages - Besides regular blog posts, BlogEngine.NET supports the creation of static pages that exist outside the blog chronology. Pages are useful for all kinds of information about you or your blog.
• Multi-author support - BlogEngine.NET fully supports multiple authors to write posts on the same blog. Visitors are then able to subscribe to the individual author’s RSS feed or view only the posts from their favourite author.
• Cool themes - BlogEngine.NET comes with some very cool themes for you to choose from. If you want to modify or create a new theme you can do so easily with just a basic understanding of HTML and CSS.
• XHTML compliance - All the controls in BlogEngine.NET are 100% XHTML 1.0 compliant. All posts you write automatically become compliant thanks to the tinyMCE text editor.
• Extendable - BlogEngine.NET is built from the ground up using nothing but C# and ASP.NET 2.0 all with simplicity in mind. It means that you can write new controls and themes by using the skills you already have as a .NET developer.

A proposal should include a detailed scope statement that clearly outlines the following:

Objectives - Outline the requirements for the project to communicate that we understand what the objectives are and what the client is looking for. 

Approach - Communicate the approach by breaking down the requirements into deliverables and milestones and stating what steps will be taken and in what order.

Description - Describe the features in detail and what technologies will be utilized in the design and development process of the entire project.

Deliverables - Define what will be delivered upon completion of the project.

Out of Scope - Clarify what is not included in the project proposal.          

Estimated Schedule - Establish an estimated time line to complete the project. This is broken down by milestones indicating the span of effort, resouce level of effort and completion date.

Estimated Cost - Cost is broken down to show the total hours required, the charge per hour, and a total cost.

Management - Site maintenance includes both technical up-keep such as server upgrades, and updates to content or design on the site itself.

Experience - State relevant experience to the project.

References - Include references for each project to assure customer satisfaction.

Terms/Conditions - This will include the terms of the contract including payment schedule, changes to scope of work and other related legal matters. 

Our Online Visibility services are broken down into two major categories: Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing.

Search Engine Optimization

Techniques in SEO
Different techniques your website could employ to gain search engine visibility.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in SEO.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you in SEO.

Search Engine Marketing

Techniques in SEM
Different techniques your website could employ to gain search engine marketing.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in SEM.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you in SEM.

Our Development services are broken down into three major categories: Web Development, eCommerce Development and Software Development.

Web Development

Web Applications in the Spotlight
Website design projects that have been recently released or are experiencing substantial gains in exposure.

Techniques in Web Development
Different techniques your website could employ to become successful.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in web development.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you in web development.

eCommerce Development

Techniques in eCommerce Development
Different techniques you can use in graphic design.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in ecommerce development.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you in ecommerce development.

Software Development

Software Applications in the Spotlight
Custom software development projects that have been recently released.

Techniques in Software Development
Different techniques to utilize in software development.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in software development.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you in software development.

Our Design services are broken down into three major categories: Website Design, Graphic Design and Flash Design.

Website Design

Websites in the Spotlight
Website design projects that have been recently released or are experiencing substantial gains in exposure.

Techniques in Website Design
Different techniques your website could employ to become successful.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in website design.

Multimedia
Web animation, video and audio.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you.

Graphic Design

Techniques in Graphic Design
Different techniques you can use in graphic design.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in graphic design.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you in graphic design.

Flash Design

Flash in the Spotlight
Flash design projects that have been recently released.

Techniques in Flash Design
Different techniques to use in your flash design.

Tools of the Trade
Software tools utilized in flash design.

Tid-Bits and Tricks
A little bit of knowledge that we would like to pass on to you.

One of the main reasons for this Blog is to solicit feedback from our clients and the development community at large.  With that, I will have to warn you that this blog will conatin the good, the bad and the ugly - the latter being not for the weak of heart!  Take it easy, calm down, I'm only half serious.  Anyways...  how about I tell you what we are thinking in terms of structure of the weblog

It's pretty obvious that we will have the structure broken down into the following four major categories, each with their own sub-categories: 

1. Design
   1. Website Design
   2. Graphic Design
   3. Flash Design
2. Development
   1. Web Development
   2. eCommerce Development
   3. Software Development
3. IT Services
   1. Hosting
   2. Technical Writing
   3. IT Support
4. Online Visibility
   1. Search Engine Optimization
   2. Search Engine Marketing

Then, each sub-category will be composed of sub-categories of their own (sections) and so on and so forth.  Sections will vary depending upon the category or sub-category they fall under.  The following are some general sections that you would expect to see in all major categories, but I will do separate posts for each category's breakdown:

• Tips and Tricks of the Trade
• War Stories
• General Bytes (General Info)

We are also thinking about posting a "Daily Byte" that would essentially give you something to think about or ponder over..

Remember, please feel free to suggest something that you might like to see.

As my friends in the UK would say, Cheers!