General Meeting Notes - 1/10/26

Combined SIG and General meeting on Sitely from Italy!

Quick recap

The meeting focused on a presentation by Duncan, a software developer from Italy, who demonstrated Sitely, a web design tool that allows users to create websites without coding. Duncan explained the features of Sitely, including its ability to import existing websites, add interactive elements like pop-ups and galleries, and integrate with payment systems. The group discussed potential uses for Sitely, including managing their website's membership area and displaying meeting minutes. Duncan also shared his background in software development and explained how Sitely evolved from his previous project, Sparkle. The conversation ended with a brief discussion about recent Apple product updates and the importance of clearing snow from sidewalks.

Summary

Neighborhood Weather and Football Chat

Mike and Jim discussed the recent snowfall and its impact on their neighborhoods, with Jim mentioning he had not shoveled yet due to the cold weather. They briefly talked about the weather forecast and the condition of local roads. The conversation then shifted to college football, with Mike expressing disappointment in Ole Miss's loss and Jim questioning how Indiana built a competitive football team. They also discussed the challenges of keeping up with multiple streaming services for watching NFL games. Skip joined the conversation later, and they briefly discussed a UK-based company with operations in Italy.

Software Name Change Discussion

The group discussed the change of a software name from Sparkle to Sitely, which Skip found coincidental and potentially interesting. Jim mentioned that they would find out more about this during the meeting. They also talked about the site license for a new version of the software, which Jim had not yet opened. Skip noted new promotional features in the software and suggested they might want to promote it in exchange for support. Jim shared details about his recent Christmas fundraising efforts, which were successful in helping two families in need. He also mentioned winning a decorated Christmas tree at a festival. The conversation concluded with Jim updating the group on home repairs, including a completed roof replacement and ongoing painting work.

Military Museum and Email Issues

The meeting began with a discussion about the military museum in Dubois, Wyoming, which Mike and Skip found impressive. Jim noted that some members were missing from the meeting, possibly due to shoveling snow or technical issues with the passcode. They discussed email problems, particularly with Ralph's incorrect passcode and Mike's difficulty responding to emails from info@smmug.org. Jim suggested changing SMTP settings to resolve the issue, and Bobby joined the call, sharing that he was doing well at 88 years old. The conversation ended with a brief exchange about the weather in Texas.

Snowfall and Vintage Mac Memories

The group discussed the recent snowfall, with Mark Pimentel reporting 7-8 inches in his area. They shared experiences of shoveling snow and working from home. The conversation then shifted to a discussion about old Mac computers, with several members sharing stories about their collections and memories of early Mac models.

Technology Challenges and Nostalgia

The group discussed various technology-related issues, including Jim's experience with a new Wi-Fi 7 system that caused network problems and printer connectivity issues. They also reminisced about older technology, such as Zip drives and SCSI scanners, with Mark P sharing his experience of HP printer software issues. The conversation concluded with Mark G sharing his experience of obtaining a computer degree without a home computer, which surprised younger colleagues.

Sitely: Simplified Web Design Tool

Duncan, a software developer, introduced Sitely, a web design application modeled after iWork apps, which simplifies website creation by handling coding while allowing users to focus on design and content. He explained that Sitely was developed in 2013 to address the need for a user-friendly alternative to HTML coding, following the retirement of Apple's iWeb. Duncan demonstrated the application's interface, highlighting its key features, including content parts, structural elements, and tools for adding site-wide functionalities like search engines and contact forms. Skip expressed gratitude for Duncan's assistance in resolving initial errors with the software, and the conversation ended with plans for further questions and a deeper exploration of Sitely's capabilities.

Sightly: Website Builder Overview

Duncan demonstrated Sitely, a website builder tool, showcasing its features including image galleries, layout blocks, interactive elements, and privacy settings. He explained how the tool allows users to organize images with grids and lightboxes, create interactive features like pop-ups and hidden content, and manage website settings such as SEO and payment integrations. Duncan also highlighted the tool's encryption of user passwords and publishing options, while noting that while AI can assist in website generation, it is not currently a primary focus of the tool.

AI-Driven Website Framework Tool

Duncan demonstrated Sitely, a tool that uses AI to generate website frameworks with stock images and text, serving as a starting point for non-coders. He explained that while Sitely doesn't support server-side editing or multiple administrators like WordPress, it offers features like importing existing websites, SEO assistance, and embedding custom code. Duncan clarified that Sitely was developed from scratch in 2014 to address the gap left by Apple's iWeb, emphasizing its focus on safety and speed by building static HTML websites. The discussion also covered potential workarounds for multi-admin scenarios and the tool's history and target user base.

Sightly: Mac-Based Website Tool Overview

Duncan explained that Sitely is a local Mac-based tool that doesn't store user data on servers, primarily serving small businesses and individuals with simple website needs. He detailed the tool's features, including a table booking widget, PayPal and Stripe integrations, and image optimization capabilities, while noting challenges with large image files and the need for server-side solutions for extensive photo collections. Duncan emphasized that Sitely is best suited for users who prefer not to deal with coding, offering a one-time purchase of $120 for the Pro version with lifetime use, though new major releases may require additional fee-based updates for new features.

Sightly Release and Website Management

Duncan discussed the upcoming release of Sitely with a Liquid Glass user interface for macOS 26, noting that users without this interface will still have the old one. He mentioned that new tutorials are being developed to accommodate the new interface, as Apple's technology adoption is inevitable. Skip inquired about extracting pages from PDFs for the website and capturing old iWeb websites, with Duncan explaining the challenges of importing certain components like the gallery widget. They also discussed the possibility of sharing website publishing responsibilities among group members, with Duncan suggesting a coordinated approach to avoid conflicts. Skip expressed interest in creating redundancy for website management in case of his absence.

Payment Processing and App Development

Duncan shared his professional background, including his work on toll gate machines in Italy and his development of the Sitely app, which was previously named Sparkle but had to be renamed due to a trademark conflict with Telecom Italia. Skip and Jim discussed payment processing challenges with WordPress, and Duncan suggested that a simple PayPal payment button should work for membership dues, though Skip noted they had struggled with this implementation.

WordPress, Fuel, and Access Updates

The meeting covered several topics, including a discussion about WordPress system replacements and website access controls, which Duncan addressed. Skip and Jim aligned on focusing improvements on the first page's landing space and gradually enhancing other areas. Guy raised concerns about contaminated fuel in Colorado, affecting stations like King Soopers, Costco, and Murphy Express, and shared issues with the latest Apple Music update on his iPhone. Mark P agreed to investigate the Apple Music problem further. The group also discussed the need for a password management system for member access, which Skip explained was previously maintained but deemed unnecessary due to low membership. The conversation ended with plans for a February meeting and a reminder about shoveling snow due to recent storms.

AI can make mistakes. Review for accuracy. Edited by S. Mundy