Web Development, Design and Programming Topics

Isnt it time to say goodbye to Netscape 4

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 18:25:36 GMT

Isn't It About Time To Say Goodbye To Netscape 4?

As web developers we are constantly attempting to achieve complete cross browser compatability for our client's websites. It is a frustrating job at best but we almost always manage to get the site working, by hook or by crook with one glaring exception, Netscape version 4 browsers. In their day they were a great browser even though many developers hated it because it enforced the rules to the letter. But it's time has passed and we as developers have had to make a very difficult decision, whether to code our sites in an outdated, clunky and non-standards compliant format or to act as if this browser doesn't exist.

Why Is Netscape Such a Problem?

Netscape was built prior to the full implementation of Cascading Style Sheets, basically to be complient with HTML 3.2 standards. It lost it's battle to beat Microsoft in 2002 and was bought by AOL who prompty released a brand new version (6.0) that was the programmers joke of the year. Because of this AOL purchase many Netscape purists refused to upgrade to the newest versions (not that we could have blamed them) and yes some of these people are still using it today. The numbers are dwindling every day according to the w3c browser use statistics (0.2 % in December 2004) but we get a client or two every once in while that asks if our websites will work in it. Our answer, plain and simple is no. At this point our business if focused on fast, efficiently coded, standards compliant that focuses on both accessibility and search engine friendly. To achieve these goals we use fully CSS, XHTML 1.0 or at minimum HTML 4.01 Transitional code. Netscape 4x will simply crash when attempting to open one of these pages. The code is literally so foreign that Netscape doesn't know what to do with it, gives the old This program has encountered an error and will now close and then does just that, shuts down. Would we prefer it a different way? Yes. But to give our clients the best code for their dollar we really have no choice.

Strictly A Business Decision

So if your curious about Netscape 4x and if your website should support it we offer this advice. What is more important to you as a business person? Higher rankings and better indexing in the search engines, easier accessibility to more clients regardless of their abilities, the ability to serve up pages to your clients faster and on more and more types of machines (palm pilots, cell phones) or the support of a browser that 0.2% of the web surfing population refuses to let go of? Once you look at the facts we feel the decision is simple.

Firefox Screams Ahead

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 18:24:31 GMT

Firefox Screams Ahead in the Browser Market

Are you sick and tired of the latest security hole in Internet Explorer, having to download popup stoppers and having to actually go to Google to do your searches? Well if so you are in luck and if you haven't heard about the latest, and probably most qualified entry to the browser market, known as Firefox I implore you to stop reading this article right now and go to Mozilla.org, download it and install it. If you are involved in any kind of web development you need Firefox and you need it now!

Security worries no more

So what's so great about this browser you ask. Where do I start. The one blaring thing that's right at the top of the list of reasons is the fact that it has none of the security holes IE is famous for, literally you can start surfing and stop worrying again. This browser is what is known as an Open Source project which, unlike Microsoft's top secret code, has been looked at, tested and tested again by literally thousands of programmers. To the average person this might not seem like a great idea. I have had people ask me Why would you want to let everyone see the code, won't that make it easier for them to hack into it? You might think that but remember those eyes that are looking for those security holes are there to fix them, all those programmers look at code differently and what one set of eyes doesn't see another will.

Toys, Toys & More Toys

So that really should be enough to get anyone to switch but there is more. Those tricky folks over at Mozilla have also included a built in popup stopper that works better than any, including the Google toolbar, I have ever seen. I haven't seen a pop up in so long I'm actually starting to forget what they are like. As if that wasn't enough they have also built in a search box that allows you to search via Google, Yahoo, Amazon, Dictionary.com AND you can add any other search engine you wish. Say goodbye to search engine home pages! Want to find something on a given page? Just hit control F and a search box pops up in the bottom of the browser window to enter your search along with a find next, find previous, highlight (my favorite) and match case button. This thing is just SO well laid out and packed with features it boggles the mind. If your not happy with the standard features you can download any of the thousands of extensions, themes or plug ins that have been created by the wonderful open source community to do just about anything you can possibly imagine. Cost? Not one thin dime! We do though recommend any donation you can offer to the Mozilla foundation to keep this wonderful project running full steam ahead without the influence of large corporations, they'll just screw it up.

Standards Compliant

Now comes the important part, and if you have read any of this website or the other tutorials you probably know by this point that we are very big advocates on browser standards and the advancement of the web as a tool that can be used by multiple devices and computers and work correctly in them. Firefox is THE most standards compliant browser available today. What does that mean to the average user? Well it means that you can be assured you are seeing what the developer wanted you to see and in the proper format without tons of hacked code in an attempt to fix a bad browser. It means pages that are built in standards compliant mode will download faster and eventually developing websites will become less expensive and the prices these websites charge you to use them SHOULD also come down. There are amazing things that can be done with a website that 99% of the world has never seen because the browser they are running is either not up to standards or decided they didn't want to play by the rules Firefox has put an end to that.

Tools For Web Developers

If your a web developer, designer or programmer and are using anything else to develop your websites you are missing one of the most powerful developer tools ever invented. The Web Developer bar for Firefox, created by Chris Pederick gives you everything you could ever want to build websites! From the ability to validate your code offline to debugging JavaScript this tool has it all. None of our staff will work without it! You will however get so spoiled by this browser and it's goodies you are guaranteed to become an Internet Explorer hater in days!

A No Lose Proposition

In our opinion Firefox is the standard that all the other browsers must catch up too. Unfortunately Microsoft in their infinite wisdom has decided NOT to release any new version of Internet Explorer until 2006, when their new operating system is due to ship. By that time I really wonder if anyone will even care about IE. The time to take back the web is now and watching the statistics for IE users (under 90% for the first time ever) the world is ready to do just that. If you like the web but hate the problems Firefox is the browser for you!

Code Your Website For Success

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 18:23:45 GMT

10 Essential Elements For a Successful Website

So you want to get your business online, to take that big plunge to reach the world with your product or service. Congratulations! Hopefully you have taken the time to go out and explore your competitors websites and looked around for what you consider to be a great looking and functioning website. If you haven't we highly recommend you do, as a matter of fact we ask every new client to spend time on the web do this. This helps your website designer get a view into several things, including your industry and just as important your tastes in design and functionality. This type information is invaluable to both your and your website design company.

Knowing Your Potential Clientele

As with any business venture you must have some insight into exactly who your customers are is vital. Not only do you need to gear your products and marketing to these customers but the design, navigation and functionality of the website should be tailored to that market's tastes. Most website owners don't realize it at first but your website may just become the most important marketing tool you will ever invest in. It's presentation, color, flow and content are as important as any TV, Print or Radio ad you will ever invest in. In todays world your website is your customers view into your business and a poorly laid out website may result in a lack of confidence by them. This is especially true in any e-commerce website. With all the stories the general public hears about on-line rip offs they need to feel 100% confident they can type their credit card numbers into your order form and not have to worry about it.

Ten Essential Elements

Any website today needs certain features to allow their customers the best experience possible. Over the years we have added to the list to bring it up to what we now consider the ten essential elements every website should have:

A website search tool - if they want it NOW they will search, not browse.
A website map - again if they get lost this is the first place they will go.
Easy to read content - Don't use color combinations that are rough on the eyes. If your information is long provide a easy access printer friendly version.
Fast loading pages - NO customer will wait around for 5 minutes to see your website. Remember over 50% of the world is still on a 56k modem, in 2004!
A Privacy Statement - Any website that collects information (even email addresses) needs this.
Easy Navigation - surfers don't have the time to try to figure out your neat navigation system. Keep it simple!
Accessibility Statement - Let those who are disabled know that you care about them as customers too.
Easy to Access contact information - If they have a problem with the site or an order make it easy for them to be able to contact you.
Flow of design throughout the site - Don't change the page design from page to page. One intro page design and then a consistent inner page design is fine but once in your site make sure everything stays in the same place.
NO, I REPEAT, NO pop ups! - These have become synonymous with ads, spy ware, viruses and porn sites. Do anything you can to avoid them.

OK, so #10 isn't a do, it's a don't but we really felt it had to be on the list. Many of the items on this list will not only create a better experience for your clients but they will also increase your accessibility to any disabled customer and will help get your website ranked higher in the search engines. All in all it just makes good business sense.