web design, potential disasters, most importantly how to avoid them[2]

I had covered some steps one should take before beginning to build a website. Planning, structuring, and designing a ‘floor plan’ so that the actual build is as trouble-free as possible. Lets take this a bit further.

So you designed a floor plan which exhibits some basic form and content for your site. This is the framework. These are the blocks upon which to build all else from. The cornerstones if you will. It may seem simple but the process of forming a foundation is not. It takes careful time and planning. One of my first websites, I went into without a plan and without a foundation. Probably one of the worst design decisions I have ever made. I ran into so many problems.

There were compatibility issues when viewing the website on different browsers. This was due to incompatible coding which can happen if the HTML, CSS, XML, PHP, or any other language happens to have a typo or alternative syntax. I began building the website on my local server so that I could design and build without having a separate host to rely on. Having a local server can be very useful for those of you who wish to design locally and then export to an online server. Options for establishing a local server on your PC include using Microsoft SQL Server or a process which I used in order to stray from MS. Download the latest version of PHP, latest version of MySQL, and the latest version of Apache personal web server. Here is a walk-through of the installation because it can get a bit hairy for the inexperienced users. The problem I ran into with designing via a local server was transferring it to the web. After careful research I realized that I must export and import the mysql database, copy and upload all files, and then dig through the code to change paths from my local server to the web server.

As you can see there are quite a many problems one can run into. I will continue this web design series with a short tutorial on upgrading the look and usability of ones current site.

June 30, 2007 | Kris Patel | No Comments »

web design, potential disasters, most importantly how to avoid them[1]

So, you want to design a website?

Everyone and everything is using the web and all the resources it has to offer. Some use it for recreation, some use it for revenue, and others use it for reference or utility. I am one of those who use it for each of those and more. Being an amateur web designer [extremely amateur], I have run into many problems and difficulties involved with putting up a website. Their are many important steps to take before even beginning to put the site together. As I have learned from many others, building a website is very similar to building a house.

First of all, do you really need to build a house? What is your purpose for building this website? Let us say you are building a website to inform your audience of your organization be it a business or non-profit or cause or whatever. Establish a goal for yourself. Now comes time to draw up the floor-plans.

Will this be a D.I.Y. project or are you willing to hire someone. If you decide to hire someone take your time in finding the right person to get your idea across. DIY is a different story. You should decide and plan out what you want your site to have and be able to do. Evolution and growth is of the utmost importance as many websites which are not built with growth in mind tend to confuse and irritate their users when down for maintenance and updates.

Will your site be dynamic in nature or fairly static? A static site involves a simple, in comparison to the dynamic alternative, framework which leaves ample time to concentrate on aesthetics. Dynamic sites often find themselves using what is called a Content Management System or CMS. Many are available free of charge on the web such as Mambo, Joomla, Xoops, Lotus Workplace, Fluid CMS, Blogger, SixApart, etc. These handy systems are usually powered by PHP, AJAX, and XML markup languages. The reason these languages are special and more powerful than the traditional HTML markup language is that they use combinations of variables, strings, and flexible rules [programming lingo] all the while incorporating HTML to "build doors, windows, hallways, and rooms for your house".

Draw out a site map. Start with the ‘home’ page in the middle and work your way out from there. Remember to loop connections back to the ‘home’ and other important pages. Here is a quick example I drew up in paint.Sitemap

This should give you a good idea of what your site will be made of. How many pages, what pages contain, and where you have room for expansion [hopefully everywhere]. It also closes up any holes you may have because nobody wants to walk down a hallway that leads nowhere.

There are many applications and software available which streamline web design into an easy-to-use graphical interface, for example MS Frontpage, Dreamweaver, etc. Do a simple search for "web design utilities" and there will be a few hundred hits available. I do recommend the Adobe Creative Suite but I am merely saying this because I enjoy their layout and interface. Frontpage is for the basic users who want basic results. It can be used to create super pages but is often referred to as the AOL of web design apps.

We now have the base of our plan. We will continue to build on this framework a little more before beginning actual construction. To be continued…

June 25, 2007 | Kris Patel | 1 Comment »

Toyota and Honda not the only ‘Green’ conscious automakers

[Yes, I've been away for a long time. But now I'm back so proceed to the article avid, much-appreciated reader.] Subaru released a new television ad which highlights some advancements they are making in green technology. As of late Honda and Toyota have been the front-running automakers marketed as environmentally friendly. For example, the Toyota Prius was released onto the global market in 2001 as the premier hybrid vehicle. Sales started off slow and steady with some 160,000 vehicles manufactured by the end of 2003. However, everyone in the U.S. began wanting the Prius at the turn of 2005 which saw a doubling in U.S. sales from some 50,000 in ’04 to just over 107,000 in 2005. Honda manufactured and marketed their Civic Hybrid and Accord Hybrid which didn’t come close to matching the figures that Toyota generated. Sub_logo Subaru is taking a different approach to ‘Green’ technology and growing concern for the environment. Factories are known to be huge powerhouses of pollution. The name, factory, itself has disregard for the environment vibes flowing forth from it. I am satisfied with their innovative and effective approach to reducing their carbon footprint and making significant contributions to recycling. I would like to see so much more from them. Treehugger blog gives a good overview of what the Subaru plant in Indiana has put into effect in order to reduce their potential pollution. Subaru says:

  • “SIA’s wheel supplier uses brass lug nuts to hold wheels in place during shipping. Previously, these were thrown away – 33,000 pounds of brass per year. They are now reused until they’re no longer serviceable, then they’re recycled. This is an example of recycling helping to reduce costs rather than raising them.”
  • “Paint sludge formerly thrown away is dried to a powder, then shipped to a plastics manufacturer that mixes the dried sludge with other plastic compounds. The manufacturer’s end products are useful devices such as parking-lot bumpers and guardrail safety blocks that absorb impact when struck by a vehicle.”
  • “Solvents used in the painting process are cleaned and recovered through SIA’s on-site recovery system. The paint shop then reuses the solvent.” via Subaru Factory ExteriorDrive Magazine by Subaru

I would like to see Subaru continue with their promotion of their environmentally friendly ways by having an ongoing stream of converting plants and factories. One plant in Indiana that is a little more environmentally friendly is a good thing. But isn’t many plants throughout the world a but more environmentally friendly even better. A good solution if sales are low would be to invest in marketing and advertising to promote upcoming Subaru models. Make good money to continue to convert plants. I for one gravitate towards Subaru because of their incredible customer loyalty. All Subaru owners that I know had bought their Subaru and never doubted it. To this day they still own Subaru. Continuing ‘green’ conversions speaks loud, but loyalty speaks louder.

| Kris Patel | No Comments »