Since I've Gone Away.....

...took some time when I got back from da "Booze Cruise" to check out my classmates websites that they single handedly created (is that a word??), wow, they have talent!!! It inspires me more and more yet depresses me to see their talent vs. mine. I know it's different skills and expertise all rolled into one, I'm just blown away by their level of know how. Although, I'll be honest, I'm gonna be picky about what I see....

Outone Vanna really has a great site, he thought that out a bit. http://thebestdamprogram.com/vanna2/ he kills me how talented he is. The layout is great and yeah, he makes me ill with his site. But I give him props for having it and showing it off.

Derrick did an interesting site, http://thebestdamprogram.com/brangers2/index.html - for some reason i just get this stuffy feeling from it, like It's crammed into a box rather than spaced and laid out a bit better. The spinney icon is cool, but might need to just be slowed down a bit, in my opinion.

John did a great job on his site, I like the cold metallic look really, http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/suarez2/index.html - the only thing that gets me is the typeface (font choice), I feel it's either too small or just not the right type and it just muddies all together.

Mister Thomas Castle of Castle Designs configured this one, http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/castle2/ - and I am having problems already. If he has a certain font used for certain first letters, I'm not seeing it. Plus it looks sparse and hard to read. I'm just not feelin this site.

Chris I have small issues with already and I am trying to give him benefit of doubt here. http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/vazquez2/ - for starters, typeface is either too small or not the right look. the pics along the side are dark and there isn't anything to tie the images in with the layout. Plus, there are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many grammatical errors that it hurts me reading it. It just looks like it needs more work or needs to be thought out better.

Mason has two interesting sites, http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/sweeney2/ & http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/sweeney3/ . I still get really annoyed when capitalization isn't used properly, it's a me thang. But he has some great skills!! WOW! I think his portfolio has some great work, personally, I think his third site is better than the second layout and content wise. The second site is ok, I like the glowing neon boxes, the typeface is annoying, the links in sources should be linked up to something in my opinion. It's a short and sweet site, he kept it short and simple.

I personally adore Ty's site. He knows a decent design, he works at branding himself, he is talented, I'd like to see him go far. http://www.hiredgunsdesign.com/portfolio is his personal site. I like the black and white contrast with the hits of red, the layout is great and my eye travels along his page. I'd give him a solid A on this, it looks great.

Jacobs site seems just short and sweet, http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/childs2/, I understand his point, I just think it needs more. Images, graphics, text...something to make it more captivating other than a bright aqua color, light background image and text. Where's the research links? Where are the references??

Ashley has some neat images on her site, the popping links when you hover over them all is annoying. Page 4 has no breaks, it's all one long paragraph and looks just annoying to read. http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/houston2/ Page 3 looks better, I'm glad she's got the research in there, looks good! Page 1 top half of the page looks great, the second half around the image gets tight and busy. Good job for Ashley!

Justin put up an okay site. http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/pugh2/ , I'm picky about the tabs and the colors myself. The typeface needs to be either bigger, spaced wider, fit better something, it just seems to be smooshed with the colors he has used. The yellow typeface is really bothering me.

I like the changing image at the tab, I had to sit there a minute to "get it" that it was for Social Network. http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/calhoun2/ , S & E?? I didn't get that at first either. It was nice, he researched, images looked good and were tagged.

Kyle did a nice little site, he is always doing something in black or dark colors though, I'd like to see him do something bright someday, be diferent! http://www.thebestdamprogram.com/rowe2/ - the little images need to be a bit bigger or brighter, definition citings at the bottom could use a hover color or a different color other than dark blue, hard to read on a dark background. The 10 skills could use to be spaced a bit more apart, it looks shoved together. Just two sites he used as a reference?? really??? At least the images are nice to look at....



I seem to be missing a few others websites, I'll dig around for them tho and add them little by little. I have some competition out there, and some I just am not worried about. I'm kind of annoyed that some classmates didn't bother putting anything out there, epic fail as I occasionally say. Ok, this turned into more of a critiques site rather than "check this out..." oh well.... :)

January Mid term test, one of many tests

So the class took a lovely test today, this is the last part of my rather lengthy test. Feel free to make comments, correct me, teach me, after all, this is what learning is all about.

(Q) What are ten things you can do to make sure your web page is optimized for Search engines?

(A) 1) Research your competition

2) Interact in online forums

3) Monitor and maintain your website

4) Use Analytics

5) Make a keyword list

6) Use social media networks to your advantage

7) SEO Software and Webmaster Tools

8) Create an account at Google Webmaster Central, Yahoo Site Explorer and Live Search Webmaster Center verify you are a site owner and gather all the information and free-bees as you can manage.

9) Have relevant links to other sites and they link to you.

10) If you’re not going to SEO yourself, find a company that specializes in White Hat compliance's that will do the SEO to proper specifications.

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(Q) How can a business best use a Web Site, Facebook, a blog, Flickr, YouTube, and Twitter to create an effective online marketing campaign?

(A) By creating a campaign on the social media networks you assuring yourself of being seen by someone that is surfing the web or looking for a certain something. Three out of four people are on social networking pages every day, to post your site or link or blog about it, brings an interest to whatever it is that’s being marketed. By creating a creative and engaging campaign, it will help in drawing in the clicks. Don’t confuse customers with crazy sites that will give seizures but pique their interest in any other way you can.

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(Q) Web 2.0 was about the web site providing the platform and the users providing the content (EBAY, Facebook, YouTube…), Web 3.0 is about managing the content. What is a content management system, when and how might it make sense for a business to use a CMS as apposed to a traditional web site, and how do Joomla and even WordPress fit into the Web 3.0 environment?

(A) As I roughly defined above, (content management system) is the collection of procedures used to manage workflow in a collaborative environment. These procedures can be manual or computer-based. Data can be defined as nearly anything: documents, movies, pictures, phone numbers, scientific data, and so forth. CMSs are frequently used for storing, controlling, revising, semantically enriching, and publishing documentation. Serving as a central repository, the CMS increases the version level of new updates to an already existing file.

It is a software program that is used to make designing multiple advertisements to be placed within a website much easier. It stores the ad (or content) into a database, the system can retrieve it and put the information wherever based on rules you can use and however flexible the CMS is. The source code is available to use and change whenever needed.

10 Skills I will develop in the near future.

1) Time Management
2) Self Promotion & branding
3) Networking
4) Financial Accountability
5) Programming language
6) Leadership Skills
7) Advertising Skills
8) Customer Service Skills
9) Web development & services
10) Self Improvement

That list just looks so short??? So much more I could add, but it's early yet, one step at a time right?? Just focus on what I can and let the rest just fall into place.

10 Ways to make money on the web today.

1) AdWords
2) Start a blog or Wiki
3) Social Networking sites
4) Create training or how to videos on YouTube
5) Paperless coupons or groupons
6) Sell Advertising on your website
7) E-commerce
8) Online business
9) freelance thru craigslist or other social networks
10) sell stuff on ebay

Yeah, there are a few more ideas to put with that, online web-inars (or is it webinars?), push your brand - online self promotion...
I'd like to make money, lots of money really. What woman doesn't want unlimited spending? I'm still going to work my tush off for what I can though, while praying Publishers Clearinghouse backs that Armored Truck up to my front door!!


...sigh....a girl can dream... :)

10 Technologies that are changing the way we work and play.

1) iPhones, iPads, iPods, iApps
2) Cell phones for texting and surfing the web -blackberry, pdas
3) AdWords
4) Netbooks
5) Video Game platforms
6) Social Media Networks
7) Touch Screen Technologies
8) Cloud Computing
9) Updates in Web Designing
10) cds to mp3s

SOOOOO many new technologies appearing in the world today. Slightly scary, a bit fun, all depends if you're tech savvy or just learning all about it. Either way, this is the new millennium, this is an eye opener of whats to come and how we've all been progressing, growing...

Amazing to think about really, so much has changed, become obsolete. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it!! I just wish I would have invested in all the stocks for these companies years ago!! ;)

10 Great Design portfolio sites.

I'm a different individual, I like the flashy colorful websites. So looking into peoples websites helped me in figuring out some things and getting ideas. These are just a small few that I saw were interesting.

1) http://www.spoongraphics.co.uk/ - not much for dull colors myself but the artwork is fabulous. I like how you can click on small boxes of his work and x out in the corner. Easy to navigate and well done.

2) http://www.albertlo.com/ - The graphics at the top corner caught my eye and pulled me in. Great use of layout and an all around nice site.

3) http://www.eddidit.com/ - not only a home town boy (philly) but a sense of humor on his site. This site actually gave me ideas and thoughts on web designing.

4) http://www.narrowdesign.com/ - like the interactivity and creativity on this site. The front page wasn't quite centered but it has a great flow to it. Shame some of the links weren't working, would have liked to see more.

5) http://www.your-majesty.com/ - another nice site, the 3D is great, a little confusing but otherwise very cool and original.

6) http://www.workforfood.nu/ - a cool flash website & colorful. Downsides are images flipping too fast and annoying, startling music at the start.
7) http://eisforeffort.com/ - An ok site, the guy has skills and great ideas, he is talented. I felt like of all the body of work that hes done so far, his site just needed more umpf.

8) http://nopattern.com/nopattern/home.asp - VERY COOL SITE!! Loved the color, the layout, very rad site. The guy has photoshop skills, very impressive!

9) http://www.microbot.ch/ - Another KEWL site to check out, animation, sound, interactivity. I'm quite impressed!!

10) http://www.behance.net/TheHejz/frame/viewall - Is it something in the water over there?? There is amazing talent overseas, I'm so impressed. Talented guy, beautiful artwork, stunning. Liked the layout of the site, it worked.

There are so many talented people out there, so many websites I was snoopin through. Definately gave me ideas and points to think about when laying out a website, definitely!

10 Ways to use Web 2.0 technologies to boost your career.

1) Blogging
2) Twitter
3) Social Networking
4) Facebook
5) Podcasting
6) Mashup
7) YouTube
8) SEO or your web
9) Cloud Computing
10) Google

With all the new technologies offered in the world, self promotion, web design, job hunting, marketing, etc. It's a great idea to put some attention towards using Web 2.0 and soon 3.0 technologies to get your name out there as a designer and pump up a company that hires you.

10 Ways to use the web to promote your business.

1) Promotion
2) Blog, websites, articles
3) Become part of social networking websites
4) Put your personal website on your business cards, emails and letterheads
5) Post informative and fun videos on YouTube and link to your website and social networking sites.
6) Tweak your website for Search Engine Optimization and primo navigation
7) Create a commercial for your business, post it on YouTube and if you can, cable television.
8) Create pay per click promotional ads for the web.
9) Create a site map so the bots can link to your page when a browser is doing a search.
10) Make sure your website has the images tagged, meta data is used, hyperlinks are marked and keywords are where they need to be.

I'm a big fan of self promotion, getting your name and face out there is paramount when you are in the market, whether it be commercial arts, music, design, restaurant or personal shopper you need to be promoting. It's a dog eat dog out there and there needs to be promotion to make you stand out from all the other dogs in the pack. I'm not saying go out and streak during a baseball game with a banner of your company, I'll admit I'm a colorful person, but I would rather promote myself without the embarrassment. Use the web and all the goodies that are associated within it for promotional reasons, why else is it there, not just for the new video games being promoted.

It's not completely about how much money you can make, some websites actually failed for multiple reasons, therefore no money was brought in. It's an age of new and modern technologies, use everything that's available to you and have fun with it. Give it a little personality and use the brain that God gave you and those around helped it to congeal!! Don't worry, I'll be right there using my talents to be bigger and better and promote myself and whoever hires me to make their company bigger and better!!! :)

10 Reasons to hire a professional designer.

1) Uniqueness, one different person to offer something different.
2) Search Engine Optimization skills.
3) Professionalism - distinguishing between a personal and professional site.
4) Getting a message across.
5) Changing web styles, updating, keeping up with the newer times - management.
6) Time efficiency- the business person has more time to handle other affairs.
7) Reliability and stability
8) Knowledge of browser compatibilities
9) To show your personal brand and marketing (the company)
10) Attention to detail - think attract new customers/ business.

A designer brings something new and unique to the table, those ideas combined with the knowledge of the business at hand help in creating a unique package. The concept of the package that is put together will bring business and revenue into the company. The designer hired also helps to alleviate some of the stresses within the organization.

10 Design ideas to make your site look better.

1) Know your target audience and the aim of the site.
2) Roll over buttons that change color or shape.
3) Fluidity - the place your eyes travel too.
4) Clear fonts and proper use of color.
5) Information, Intelligence and Inviting!
6) Contact information in as many places as possible.
7) Strive to empower the person visiting the site, not speed up the system.
8) The visitor should always know what is happening & don't overwhelm that person with too much.
9) The information for the decision must be there when the decision is needed.
10) Visitors should always know how to find out what to do next.

There is so much to make your site look better, be better, work better, be pretty blahh blahh blahh.... common knowledge it just to keep the site simple. Make the most of the site you are designing, have a plan for the site, have detailed information an don't bore the visitor and yet don't annoy the visitor with too much. Most of all, do research, know the topic the site is about and gather as much information as possible. If problems arise, they are easily fixed.
And these are my thoughts on the subject.
Thank You.

10 Things to make your site index better.

First few things that come to mind are things recently learned when researching web accessibility, i think i will just narrow down the points into one.
1) Make sure your site is marked up for the disabled individuals who need assistance on the web.
a) Tag all images, alt and anchor tags, make sure text readers can read whats on the page.
b) Make sure the colors of your site can be "seen" by those who are colorblind, and that they aren't obnoxious colors.
c) Try to refrain from heavy Flash movie use and make sure the images are at a fairly small size.
d) Use proper font and font size and make sure the font is distinguishable against the background.

2) Research! Make sure you have the credible info that will inform the viewer and your page layout will attract the viewer and organize that info properly.

3) Links to other sites- use social media sites and relevant sites.

4) Meta-tags and key words in the header. Make sure your site can be accessed and seen at the top of a browser search engine.

5) Make sure your website says who you are and what you are about up front.

6) Make sure your url is user friendly and bots (crawlers) can find your site.

7) Do not use the visit counter - if one person visits your page, will that be a catch for the #2 person, or reason to hit the back button?

8) Use screen space properly, not just for the information and colors but navigation and layout, stay away from frames.

9) Update your site often, check the links, manage the content. If you have email sent from the website, keep up to date with replies.

10) Run all the proper checker software and aides you can on your site: webcrawler, w3c markup validation, css checkers, etc. they can help. Also submit your site to an Open Directory or any other web checkers for the validity of your site. AND SPELL CHECK!

This is my top list, subject to changes, suggestions and anything else I am missing :)

10 things NOT to do when creating a website!

1) You need to have visual contrast, not when it's obnoxious and difficult to look at! Background pictures or colors should NOT look horrendous together.
2) Design the website for your customer NOT for yourself, the customer wants and expects it to be a certain way.
3) Do not use images that have absolutely nothing to do with the page itself.
4) Spelling, correct phrase structure, proper vocabulary are a must!! Make sure you spell check and proof-read what you are typing.
5) Don't make your site so difficult to navigate that people will get frustrated and leave.
6) Don't assume your web site is going to be the money maker of your business.
7) Use Flash properly and not as a backdrop or to give a visitor an epileptic seizure.
8) Do not cram as much information into one page, space it out effectively.
9) Make sure someone that visits your site can figure out what your site is all about within seconds of visiting your website.
10) Make sure all images & maps are tagged. Keep those who use readers, who cannot see the web page visually, can still access your website.

Was spending the day on www.webpagesthatsuck.com and found a great posting on top 15 things not to do when designing a website. Information is not lacking on this site and it made me think. Not to mention some of the links of webpages and illustrations are priceless.