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How to Daisy Chain Quizzes
If you have surveys or quizzes with multiple parts, it can be beneficial to program one survey to follow another automatically. This tutorial explains how to "daisy chain" input forms. This will require the use of the Mad Blanks component (minimum version 1.2.0) as well as the Mad Blanks Create Single Record module (minimum version 1.2.0).
Hiring Chris to work on your project
Here are some general guidelines to consider if you would like to hire me to work on your project using one of my Joomla! extensions as a base.
How much do I charge?
As of February 2012, I charge $35.00 USD per hour for custom work with Mad Blanks and my other Joomla! extensions. I charge for one hour at minimum. I round the number of hours worked to the nearest hour.
If you have an urgent project that requires weekend hours, I charge $45.00 USD for work performed on the weekend. If you do not specify this, I will perform the work on weekdays (Monday through Friday) only.
How can you have me work for you without paying me (as much) money?
- First of all, if you have been to the Mad Blanks support forum you have seen that I am quite willing to answer questions and even write Score Script code for the asking. If you are able to solve your problem by interacting with me publicly on the forum and without having me edit anything on your website directly, great!
- If the project I am working on for you can benefit me in some way, for example, by allowing me to create and market a new extension based on the work I do for you, I may be willing to reduce my rate.
- If the project is for a charitable or other cause that I consider to be important, I may be willing to reduce my rate.
What is my availability, and can I work with a deadline?
I may not be available to work for you immediately due to other projects and obligations. If you have a particular deadline, please be sure to make me aware of this so we can discuss the situation. I may charge an additional premium if I agree to perform work on an emergency basis.
What do I charge for?
- Time spent processing and understanding your specifications
- Time spent creating Mad Blanks categories and Score Scripts and performing related configuration
- Time spent writing code (including PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Google charts, and Apache .htaccess configuration [not all of these will be needed for every project])
- Time spent testing various inputs to make sure they result in the desired output (the more complex your application, the more testing will be needed)
- Time spent on telephone consulting and support
- Time spent installing Mad Blanks categories, Score Scripts, etc. on your server
- Time spent making other adjustments on your server
- Time spent creating documentation
- Time spent on other tasks as needed and discussed on a case by case basis
How do I communicate?
I prefer communicating by email when possible. I don't charge for time spent emailing you in the course of working for you. As a programmer, I value long stretches of uninterrupted time so I can focus on my programming. Email allows me to communicate with you at my convenience. However, there are times when voice communication is desirable. Telephone/voice consultation should be arranged by appointment so I can better plan the workflow of my day.
What is my preferred work process?
I normally set up a test site under my control and make the application work correctly there. Once you approve the application, I can install it on your server or give you packages and/or SQL code for you to install yourself. By installing it yourself you can avoid the charges for time associated with having me install it on your server. In some cases, however, you may not be able to install it yourself, or I still may need to log in to the administrator area of your Joomla! site to make adjustments after you have installed it.
What is my policy regarding accessing your Joomla! installation?
Before you issue me a username and password to grant me administrator access to your Joomla! installation, you agree to perform a full backup of your site's database and files and to save the backup in a location under your exclusive control (i.e. not within the Joomla! installation). If I have access to the administrator area of your Joomla! installation for an extended amount of time, you agree to continue performing regular (daily at minimum) backups. I know my way around Joomla! and I promise to practice due diligence to protect your data and settings. I also promise to only access portions of your administration area that are necessary for my work or that will facilitate my work, unless you grant me specific permission otherwise.
In the event something goes wrong that appears to have happened while I was logged in, I accept no liability for any damages. Your backups are your protection against such an eventuality.
What is my payment policy?
I ask for partial payment in advance before I begin work: 50% for jobs estimated at 4 hours or less, or 25% for jobs estimated at over 4 hours. The balance is payable upon delivery of the final product.
For jobs that extend beyond two weeks, I ask that a weekly payment of at least 50% of the dollar amount owed for work up to that time be made for me to continue work. Alternatively, a greater amount can be paid in advance.
Do I provide invoices?
Yes, I can provide an invoice for you upon request. All invoices are payable upon receipt.
How do I prefer to be paid?
I prefer payment made via PayPal in United States dollars to an email address I specify. I will also accept a check drawn on a United States bank or a money order from a United States institution denominated in United States dollars. All payments should be made payable to Chris Hallett.
Are these terms set in stone?
This document sets general guidelines to help both parties know what to expect in advance. I am open to discussing adjustments to these guidelines on a case by case basis.
Version 1.3 20120229
What should I do if the back end Show/hide links are not working?
On the category edit screen in the back end of Mad Blanks vesion 1.1.0 Beta 2, you should see six "[+/-] Show/hide" links, one "[+/-] Show/hide advanced options for all fields" link, and 25 "[+/-] Show/hide advanced options for this field" links. On the Quiz Score Script edit page, you should see two"[+/-] Show/hide" links.
If one or more of these links does not show up on the screen, try clicking on another one on the same page. Sometimes a web browser does not well support the CSS that makes the table collapse, and clicking on one link will cause the browser to render the others.
If you continue to have problems or if you have observations about this phenomenon, please post an inquiry with a detailed description of the symptoms in the support forum or, alternatively, use the contact form linked to at the bottom of each page on this website to report it.




