The VR Interactive team has a unique blend of skills and talents in the web development field. Stop by our office upstairs in Buffalo Junction in Jackson, Wyoming to chat with us anytime.

The VR Interactive Dream Team:

Brian Modena

Co-Owner/Web Developer Brian Modena dreams in divs. As a CSS expert and programmer, he makes websites and applications and makes them look good! When he’s not styling the code at work, you can find him styling on his Santa Cruz mountain bike up on Teton Pass or skiing the famous JH powder.

Jed Frumkin

After graduating from Brown University in 1999, Jed founded VR Interactive and began developing for a number of clients in the action sports, real estate, and lodging industries. Since then the firm has grown, but you can still find this Co-Owner/Web Developer of VR Interactive standing (yes, standing) at his computer programming all day long. When he finally does leave his stand-up workstation, he’s usually playing bass guitar in the popular JH band The Deadlocks, biking, or skiing.

Charles Trout

Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Lead Programmer Chuck Trout is known for finding creative and elegant solutions to programming and development problems. When he’s not solving the problems in the VR dev world, he likes to ride his motorcycles, hunt, ski, etc.

Galen Strasen

SEO Guru/Web Designer Galen Strasen makes beautiful websites and gets them to rank high in search engines. When she’s away from the code, keywords, and analysis, she likes to travel (she just returned from a backpacking stint in Southeast Asia), spend time with her pet bunny, rock climb, and paint her fingernails obnoxious colors.

Chris Hanson

Project and Account Manager juggles all the VR projects with complete composure. When he’s not keeping online projects in line, he spends his free time in the mountains fishing, skiing, and hunting. He just tagged and processed this year’s elk (yum!).

Myke Myers

Myke is our new .NET Developer with ten years of professional web development experience under his belt. He’s still getting used to Jackson’s fresh and clean mountain air since he just moved from the upper east side of Manhattan, but once his lungs get used to it, he’ll be shredding the slopes on his snowboard. He wanted to get back to mountain living after having lived in South Lake Tahoe before the “Big Apple.”

Jay Cogen

Originally from Tuxedo, NY, Jay’s a WordPress/PHP Developer and Web Designer who rode his motorcycle all the way from South Carolina to start working at VR Interactive in late October. Since the tank only holds three gallons, he had to stop every 120 miles across the US. A graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, he’s been traveling for the past 3.5 years living in the Caribbean, Colorado, New Zealand, and Montana. In his spare time he likes rock climbing, free diving, skiing, and motorcycling.

Christine Mychajliw

Content Management/E-Marketing Specialist Christine Mychajliw (say, “Me-Hi-Leave“) likes to ride bikes, ski, hike, and cook when she’s not wrangling content, blogging or communicating in 140 characters or less at VR Interactive.

Charlie Jonas

Junior Programmer Charlie is joining the development team as a recent computer science graduate and brings a fresh perspective on new technology with him.

VR Interactive Expert Partners and Agencies:

VR Interactive also works with a number of expert partners such as contractors and agencies further increasing what can be achieved. A few notable partners are Scott Wood, John Pansewicz, Massie’s Studio, and Champ Internet, among others. This means we have the expert resources on call if we ever need to respond more quickly to our customers’ needs.

VR Interactive announces the launch of Buy Button (BuyBtn), an easy and exciting new way for affiliate marketers to generate cutting-edge “Buy Now” direct link buttons and product searches with all of their AvantLink affiliate info embedded. This will revolutionize the traditional methods that web designers and bloggers have used to write code and create fancy yet functional buttons that properly reflects affiliate identification numbers and tracking codes.

The easy-to-use “wizard,” found in the AvantLink “Affiliate” section under “Tools,” steps users through a series of easy decisions that even for someone with no coding knowledge will find easy to quickly create a button or a product search. The clean interface stores the encoded buttons inside a list for each of their websites with a preview of how the button looks, the type of button (direct link or product search), the name of the button and the Get Code link. This allows bloggers and web designers to come back any time and click on the Get Code link and copy/paste it into their blog or website.

BuyBtn makes attractive yet functional "Buy Now" buttons

Affiliate marketing is a marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate’s own marketing efforts. Many bloggers use affiliate marketing to earn income based on the content that they push.

BuyBtn will streamline the process that a blogger would use to “get rewarded” for writing about a company’s product. For example, an outdoor gear blogger could write a story about the best type of soft shell jackets for backcountry skiing. After identifying the product to promote, the blogger could log into their AvantLink Affiliate account and quickly generate a fancy, yet functional “Buy Now” button that would include their affiliate ID and tracking info and simply copy/paste the code into the back end of the blog post. The result, an attractive but code-compliant button that would take the reader to a merchant to buy the product and would allow for the blogger to get credit, where credit is due.

Likewise, the blogger could highlight a search of products that would fit their post. So, say the blogger is writing about the best type of softshell jacket that a backcountry skier would want, he/she could use BuyBtn to generate the code that would reveal the results of the search. So, it could show numerous jackets from one brand in one attractive window that would open from the Buy Now button. See an example of this in the Stoic Outerwear Gear Review on the blog, The Deal from CleanSnipe.

An example of BuyBtn search results for Stoic gear

“We’re excited to add Buy Button to AvantLink’s suite of industry-leading tools for affiliate marketers,” said VR Interactive co-owner and web developer Jed Frumkin. “It will substantially increase the efficiency and eloquence with which bloggers and designers implement ‘Buy Now’ buttons. It saves a couple of steps, really, and looks classier than a lot of homemade image buttons.”

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

The current button options are grey (default), blue, magenta, red, orange and yellow. However, VR Interactive can customize the buttons to match the branding of an affiliate by e-mailing info@vrinteractive.net.

There are 6 current button color options, but they can be customized.

BuyBtn is easy to use, but here’s a Help Document PDF just in case you need it. Follow BuyBtn on Twitter for more juicy tidbits including user tips, button-in-use examples and upgrade information.

About Avantlink

AvantLink (www.avantlink.com) has created an efficient and productive platform for serious Affiliates & Web Retailers. They are unique because they only work with high-value merchants with substantial catalogs on a percentage of sale. This particular advertiser segment can best utilize the industry-leading Affiliate Tools AvantLink is known for.

About AvantLink App Market

Recently, AvantLink launched the groundbreaking and, frankly, freaking awesome AvantLink App Market. The concept is simple–they opened our network up to third party developers who have great ideas for affiliate marketing tools, allowed them to build those tools, and then make them available to all of the affiliates on our network. Think “iPhone App Store for affiliate marketing,” except all of the tools in its market are completely free to AvantLink members!

Check out the AvantLink App Market accessible via the “Tools” page of your Affiliate account. They feature specific applications now via a blog post series.

VR Interactive is a full service website design shop located in Jackson Hole, WY. This is a great opportunity to jump into a fast paced established and growing web design firm. A large portion of our client base is outdoor, travel, and action sports oriented clients.

The Ideal Candidate:
We are looking for someone with 2+ years experience in web development. The ideal candidate shall display sincere attention to detail, the ability to self-motivate, creativity in solving problems, and shall demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of ground-up website deployment and web programming. Additionally, as we are a .Net shop, an understanding of visual studio is preferred, and PHP/RUBY/Coldfusion programming is a plus.

The Ideal candidate will be competent in all of the following topics:
• Object Orient Programing in ASP .Net
• WebServer Maintenance and Deployment
• CSS/HTML standards
• AJAX/Advanced JavaScript implementation, JQuery
• Database Development

Position Responsibilities:

-This position requires the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines, while being detail-oriented, and showing the ability to work in a fast paced environment.
-Foster a collaborative working environment, and encourage new ideas from the team for both internal and external projects.

-Build out .NET / PHP components for Content Management systems
-Design and Deploy mobile applications

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Ability to hand code W3C compliant – HTML, CSS, XHTML, XML
Solid understanding and expertise with XHTML, CSS, cross-browser/platform issues
Experience managing webservers and webserver technologies
Experience in JavaScript and JavaScript libraries (Prototype, JQuery).
2 + years experience with MYSQL, PHP, or ASP.NET

Knowledge of Office applications (Word, Excel, Access)

PLUS FACTORS:

Previous experience with implementations of large-scale business web sites
Previously working for an interactive agency, design studio or adverting agency.
Passion for Web 2.0. – Social Media outlets and social media marketing
Experience with Flash and Action Script
Experience developing and deploying mobile applications
Experience with web services and WCF

For more information or to apply, email careers@vrinteractive.net

Here’s how Google +1 for AdWords works:

An example from Google’s e-mail to AdWords users

Let’s say you own a hotel in Madrid. Brian had a lovely stay at your hotel last summer. When Brian starts researching accommodations for his next trip to Spain, he searches on Google while signed into his Google account, and sees your ad. He clicks the +1 button on the ad to recommend it to his contacts.

When Brian’s friend Ann plans her trip to Spain, she signs in to her Google account, searches, and also sees your ad – plus the personalized annotation that Brian +1’d it. Knowing that Brian recommends your hotel helps Ann decide where to stay during her travels.

Think of the +1 button as a way for fans of your business to recommend what you offer, for all their friends and contacts to see. By helping searchers see more personal, relevant ads, we believe you’ll see more qualified traffic. You can also add the +1 button to your site to give your customers the opportunity to +1 your site after visiting it.

Are you engaged?

Google thinks that you’ll definitely use this “word of click” advertising. In their introductory video (below), Google says it saves you time since you can +1 something that you wouldn’t necessarily send an e-mail to a friend or write a post about and the results will show up right when it’s most useful — on Google search (as long as their logged in). According to the Google AdWords Innovations Page, “As results become more personal and relevant, we believe that users are not only more likely to click, but they’re more likely to act as well. +1 annotations bring you pre-qualified users, who just received recommendations from their friends and are actively looking for your content. This powerful combination may result in more conversion and deeper engagement with your site overall.”

What else do I need to know?

The +1 button shows up for signed-in users of Google.com using a modern browser. Since it’s tied to your Google account, you can’t click the button numerous times to “ballot-stuff” an ad because it will only allow you to click it once (we tried it, and it changed the number briefly then adjusted it).

According to the HubSpot Blog, it can impact the score of your ads and increase your click-through rate, “Since your ads gain more credibility the more they are +1’ed, it increases the likely hood of other users enaging with your ads. This extra level of engagement can increase your ad’s CTR (click through rate). Although +1’s are not part of the quality score of your ads, the historical CTR of your ads is. So, +1’s can most certainly impact the quality score of your ads.”

The ROI Revolution Blog suggests using canonicalization in your HTML header since it can help you retain your +1 data across pages. Learn more about this at the Google Webmaster Central Help Center.

Whether you will you click the +1 button is up to you, but the impact on your site is more favorable than not, so get some more info and add your button!

More info:

• AdWords Help Center
• How to add the +1 Button
• Free phone support for AdWords

VR Interactive is a full service web site design shop located in Jackson Hole, WY. This is a great opportunity to jump into a fast paced established and growing web design firm. A large portion of our client base is outdoor, travel and action sports oriented clients.

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for a WordPress developer who is experienced in building and supporting custom WordPress themes and plugins. The ideal candidate should display attention to detail, show creativity in solving problems, and shall demonstrate a thorough understanding of php, mySql and website design. The ideal candidate may also have knowledge of ASP.Net. This position is in-house only.

Qualifications Required:

• PHP

• mySQL

• jQuery

• HTML

• CSS

• Design

Position Responsibilities:

• This position requires the ability to work well in a team setting, while being detail-oriented and self-motivated.

• Foster a collaborative working environment, accept and encourage new ideas from the team for both internal and external projects.

• Special consideration will be given to any candidate with experience in Object Oriented Programming.

For more information or to apply, please send resume, cover letter and include links to top 3 sites you have built in WordPress and top 3 plugins you have built to Natalie@vrineractive.net.

Effective Dates: Early June – Late August

*Dates flexible based on availability.

VR Interactive is a full service web site design shop located in Jackson Hole, WY. This is a great opportunity to jump into a fast paced established and growing web design firm. A large portion of our client base is outdoor, travel, and action sports oriented clients.

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for someone with a good knowledge of web development. The ideal candidate should display attention to detail, be a self-starter, show creativity in solving problems, and shall demonstrate a basic understanding of website design and programming. The ideal candidate should also have CMS experience and be familiar with working in the WordPress platform.

 The Ideal Candidate will be competent in all of the following topics:

• HTML

• CSS

• JQuery

• Photo Shop

• PHP

Position Responsibilities:

• This position requires the ability to work well in a team setting, while being detail-oriented and self-motivated.

• Foster a collaborative working environment, accept and encourage new ideas from the team for both internal and external projects.

• New media initiatives.

• Will assist in all aspects of the web development process.

 *Position responsibilities may change to fit the specific needs of the chosen candidate based on skill set.

Qualifications Required:

• Knowledge of Office applications (Word, Excel, Access)

• Knowledge of HTML/CSS

• General degree of understanding of web programming

For more information or to apply, please send resume and cover letter to Natalie@vrineractive.net.

The other day I was looking for a way to make a websites phone number dial the phone number when viewing the site in a mobile browser.

Solution 1 :

The Easy and not fully supported version is to add

<a href="tel:555555555">555-555-5555</a>

to your telephone number. The tel: code is supported by most mobile browsers and works great. However when not in a mobile browser you will get this error -

Alert – Browser does not know how to open this address, because the protocol (tel) isn’t associated with any program.

The Solution

I decided to write a quick little jQuery script that will check to see if the view-port is less then 500px wide – if so it wraps any item with the class mobile_tel in the appropriate link.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <script src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-latest.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Hello</p>
  <p class="mobile_tel">Click Here with your Mobile to dial 555-555-5555</p>
  <p>World</p>
<script>
if (screen.width <= 500) {
	$('.mobile_tel').each(function() {
	    $(this).wrap("<a href='tel:5555555555'/>");
	});
}
</script>
</body>
</html>

Most mobile browsers will try and “sniff” out phone number and make them link automatically. This makes sure they can find the phone number

VR Interactive is a full service web site design shop located in Jackson Hole, WY. This is a great opportunity to jump into a fast paced established and growing web design firm. A large portion of our client base is outdoor, travel, and action sports oriented clients.

The Ideal Candidate:
We are looking for someone with 2+ years experience in web development. The ideal candidate shall display sincere attention to detail, the ability to self-motivate, creativity in solving problems, and shall demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of ground-up website deployment and web programming. Additionally, as we are a .Net shop, an understanding of visual studio is preferred, and PHP/RUBY/Coldfusion programming is a plus.

The Ideal candidate will be competent in all of the following topics:
• Object Orient Programing in ASP .Net
• WebServer Maintenance and Deployment
• CSS/HTML standards
• AJAX/Advanced JavaScript implementation, JQuery
• Database Development

Position Responsibilities:

-This position requires the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines, while being detail-oriented, and showing the ability to work in a fast paced environment.
-Foster a collaborative working environment, and encourage new ideas from the team for both internal and external projects.

-Build out .NET / PHP components for Content Management systems
-Design and Deploy mobile applications

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Ability to hand code W3C compliant – HTML, CSS, XHTML, XML
Solid understanding and expertise with XHTML, CSS, cross-browser/platform issues
Experience managing webservers and webserver technologies
Experience in JavaScript and JavaScript libraries (Prototype, JQuery).
2 + years experience with MYSQL, PHP, or ASP.NET

Knowledge of Office applications (Word, Excel, Access)

PLUS FACTORS:

Previous experience with implementations of large-scale business web sites
Previously working for an interactive agency, design studio or adverting agency.
Passion for Web 2.0. – Social Media outlets and social media marketing
Experience with Flash and Action Script
Experience developing and deploying mobile applications
Experience with web services and WCF

For more information or to apply, email careers@vrinteractive.net

VRI is proud to announce the launch of our “Avantlink Related Products” plug-in for WordPress. This plugin enables WordPress users to leverage the Avantlink API right on their blog. The plugin allows bloggers to input a series of keywords—either specific to a single post, or relevant to the blog as a whole—and creates a widget of related product links from all existing affiliate relationships. Avantlink Related Products also allows bloggers to identify negative keywords (to block potentially irrelevant products from appearing), as well as determine the number of products they would like to display. Here is an example of a blog running the plugin (scroll to the bottom of the post).

Download “Avantlink Related Products” Plug-in Now

Please leave any suggestions for improvement as a comment to this post. Thanks.

Specify keywords for a particular blog entry

Or display products related to entire site

Skiing Mag—the go-to resource for reliable reviews on everything from ski equipment to mountain resorts—got wind of CleanSnipe’s venture into the app world, and sat down with founders Brian Modena and Jed Frumkin to discuss the advantages of having all gear discounts on the web in one easy-to-navigate interface, and how the CleanSnipe iPhone app might change the way we shop (and successfully land) great deals on the best gear.

Read full article here >>

Steep and cheap iPhone app, from cleansnipe.com