Many web development projects – large and small alike — Many web development projects – large and small alike -

can produce difficulties for both sides of the can produce difficulties for both sides of the

designer / client relationship. designer/client relationship. There are opportunities for There are opportunities for

designers and clients to become frustrated. designers and clients to become frustrated. Most Most

businesses have little experience of commissioning a web businesses have little experience of commissioning web

projects, and for designers it is difficult to communicate projects, and for designers it is difficult to communicate

needs to their clients. their needs to clients.

There are a number of concepts that will help both There are a number of concepts that will help both

sides of the relationship, and most importantly from the sides of the relationship, and most importantly from the

client side of the equation, keep costs down. client side of the equation, keep costs down.

Spend Smart Spend Smart

Remember what services you are buying. Remember what services you are buying. Paying a web Paying a web

designer to carry out data entry or word-processing tasks designer to carry out data entry or word-processing tasks

for your web project is not a cost effective use of your for your web project is not a cost effective use of your

web budget. web budget.

Unless you are engaging your designer to carry out Unless you are engaging your designer to carry out

copywriting or copyediting services for you, try to Ensure copywriting or copyediting services for you, try to ensure

that the source materials are in a form as close to the that the source materials are in a form as close to the

the final product as possible. final product as possible.

Plan properly Plan Properly

Get as much work done up front as possible. Get as much work done up front as possible. Changes are Changes are

easier in the planning stages than in the execution. easier in the planning stages than in the execution. If If

you are uncomfortable with the colors or layout at the you are uncomfortable with the colours or layout at the

concept sketch stage, it is safer not to Assume that the concept sketch stage, it is safer not to assume that the

niggles will ‘grow on you’ as time goes by. niggles will ‘grow on you’ as time goes by.

Trust Your Designer Trust Your Designer

Trust your web designer. Trust your web designer. Whilst it is true that the Whilst it is true that the

customer is always right, but the designer should be more customer is always right, but the designer should be more

experienced in the field of Internet design and experienced in the field of Internet design and

development, and should be able to offer you plenty of development, and should be able to offer you plenty of

constructive advice at all stages. constructive advice at all stages. If you can not trust If you cannot trust

your web designer, you may need to find another web your web designer, you may need to find another web

designers that you can. designer that you can.

Know What You Want Know What You Want

Try to establish your own requirements in advance. Try to establish your own requirements in advance. The The

more information you can present to your web designer on more information you can present to your web designer on

who your company is, what does your company, your target who your company is, what your company does, your target

audience, and so on, the better. audience, and so on, the better.

Building a basic profile of your requirements before Building a basic profile of your requirements before

engaging a designer is free. engaging a designer is free. Having a designer build a Having a designer build a

profile of your requirements from scratch will be profile of your requirements from scratch will be

chargeable, even if the charge is not transparent. chargeable, even if the charge is not transparent.

Concentrate on your goals and objectives. Concentrate on your goals and objectives.

Think Results Not Methods Think Results Not Methods

Think more about what you want to achieve than how you Think more about what you want to achieve than how you

want to do it. want to do it. A goal-oriented approach makes the A goal-oriented approach makes the

communication between client and designer easier — communication between client and designer easier -

especially if the terminology is unclear. especially if the terminology is unclear.

Concentrating on your goals and objectives will mean Concentrating on your goals and objectives will mean

that you are Detailing your requirements based on your own that you are detailing your requirements based on your own

areas of expertise: your business. area of expertise: your business.

Again, place trust in your designer’s experience — Again, place trust in your designer’s experience -

Present your designer with the goals you are trying to present your designer with the goals you are trying to

achieve, or the functionality you are looking for, and let achieve, or the functionality you are looking for, and let

them present you with the best solutions. them present you with the best solutions.

Keep it Clear Keep it Clear

Make sure that the documentation at all stages of the Make sure that the documentation at all stages of the

project is clear and understood by both parties. project is clear and understood by both parties.

If there is any specific terminology relevant to your If there is any relevant terminology specific to your

market or industry, make sure the designer knows what it market or industry, make sure the designer knows what it

means – and vice versa: your designer should explain any means – and vice versa: your designer should explain any

specialized concepts used. specialised concepts used.

If your designer is presenting you with something that If your designer is presenting you with something that

is unclear or unintelligible, let them know as soon as is unclear or unintelligible, let them know as soon as

possible – if you understand what they are talking about, possible – if you understand what they are talking about,

you will be able to understand what they are you will be able to understand what they are

delivering. delivering.

Remember Who’s Who Remember Who’s Who

In every web development project the client has a role In every web development project the client has a role

and the designer has a role. and the designer has a role. Remember which is which. Remember which is which.

If you are paying your designer to fulfil your If you are paying your designer to fulfil your

requirements, let them do so. requirements, let them do so. If you are going to do the If you are going to do the

work yourself, why pay a designer? work yourself, why pay a designer?

The design process should be a collaboration – it makes The design process should be a collaboration – it makes

it far more likely that the end product will be something it far more likely that the end product will be something

that you are happy to be paying for. that you are happy to be paying for. Provided you have Provided you have

chosen a good designer, remember that you know your chosen a good designer, remember that you know your

business, and they know design. business, and they know design. It is up to you to tell It is up to you to tell

your designer about your business, and up to your designer your designer about your business, and up to your designer

to tell you about design. to tell you about design.

The little things can keep any supplier-customer The little things can keep any supplier-customer

relationship running smoothly – the seven points in this relationship running smoothly – the seven points in this

article are just some of the ways in which the article are just some of the ways in which the

designer-client relationship can be made that little bit designer-client relationship can be made that little bit

more harmonious. more harmonious.

About the author: Jon Wilson is an independent writer, consultant and developer, bringing high quality internet services within reach of small businesses in a time effective, cost effective manner. About the author: Jon Wilson is an independent writer, consultant and developer, bringing high quality internet services within reach of small businesses in a time effective, cost effective manner. For more information and articles, see his site at or email http://www.notbob.co.uk jon.wilson @ threespot.co.uk For more information and articles, see his site at http://www.notbob.co.uk or email jon.wilson@threespot.co.uk
Author: Jon Wilson Author: Jon Wilson

Everyone Needs Adobe Computer Software

Adobe computer software allows you to download documents in PDF. Adobe computer software also allows you to password protect documents. In other words, documents that you are going to display such as forms, website information, and other things will be password protected so that no one can change the information. You will also find information safe when you send it to others. Adobe Acrobat Reader computer software can read files and create files. (more…)

Wireless Internet Terminology, like many things in life, especially those that have anything to do with computers is filled with terminology. Wireless Internet Terminology, like many things in life, especially those that have anything to do with computers is filled with terminology. But like most things, once you learn a few of the basic terms, understanding will come quickly. But like most things, once you learn a few of the basic terms, understanding will come quickly. So do not be confused get informed and to help clarify, I’ve put together a basic wireless “Internet-to-English” guide to help you along. So don’t be confused get informed and to help clarify, I’ve put together a basic wireless “internet-to-english” guide to help you along.

IEEE – The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers The IEEE is in charge of the wireless networking standard, as well as many other computer-related standards – including the Ethernet standard. IEEE – The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers The IEEE is in charge of the wireless networking standard, as well as many other computer-related standards – including the Ethernet standard. They Ensure that computer equipment made by different manufacturers can work together. They ensure that computer equipment made by different manufacturers can work together.

PCMCIA – Personal Computer Memory Card International Association Simply another standard for how to plug credit card size devices into a laptop computer to boost it’s capabilities. PCMCIA – Personal Computer Memory Card International Association Simply another standard for how to plug credit card size devices into a laptop computer to boost it’s capabilities. It’s been suggested by some that it should stand for “People Can not Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms”. It’s been suggested by some that it should stand for “People Can’t Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms”. PCMCIA is a great way of adding wireless networking to your laptop as easily as inserting a disk. PCMCIA is a great way of adding wireless networking to your laptop as easily as inserting a disk.

PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect Used to install devices like graphics cards and network devices inside your computer. You would be using a PCI, if you wanted to install a wireless card inside your computer. PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect Used to install devices like graphics cards and network devices inside your computer. You would be using a PCI, if you wanted to install a wireless card inside your computer.

802.11 set by the IEEE, it’s the current wireless networking standards. 802.11 Set by the IEEE, it’s the current wireless networking standard. It helps Ensure that wireless devices can communicate with one another or in other words – they are interoperable. It helps ensure that wireless devices can communicate with one another or in other words – they are interoperable.

Simply Interoperable means that two different pieces of equipment have the ability to speak to each other or another way to put it – they are compatible. Interoperable Simply means that two different pieces of equipment have the ability to speak to each other or another way to put it – they are compatible. They can use them together because they were designed using the same standards. They can use them together because they were designed using the same standards. Because of the IEEE and the principle of interoperability, all wireless equipment you purchase should be compatible. Because of the IEEE and the principle of interoperability, all wireless equipment you purchase should be compatible.

Drivers Not a piece of golf equipment but computer software that informs a computer how to talk to devices that plug into it. Most wireless networking drivers come on a CD-ROM. Driver Not a piece of golf equipment but computer software that informs a computer how to talk to devices that plug into it. Most wireless networking drivers come on a CD-ROM. You then download the drivers from the CD onto your computer. You then download the drivers from the CD onto your computer.

Ethernet Currently, the most common way of connecting to a LAN or Local Area Network. Ethernet Currently, the most common way of connecting to a LAN or Local Area Network. Most wires connected to your computer today are ethernet and if you have a cable internet connection is an ethernet wire in all likely-hood, what is being used to connect to your modem. Most wires connected to your computer today are ethernet and if you have a cable internet connection an ethernet wire is in all likely-hood, what is being used to connect to your modem.

USB – Universal Serial Bus A port used for connecting all sorts of devices to a computer, including keyboards, a mouse, printers, external hard-drives and basically anything else you can think of. USB – Universal Serial Bus A port used for connecting all sorts of devices to a computer, including keyboards, a mouse, printers, external hard-drives and basically anything else you can think of. If you do not have a laptop or want to open up your computer you can get a USB wireless device. If you don’t have a laptop or want to open up your computer you can get a USB wireless device.

WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy No longer used because in 2001 it was found to have security issues. WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy No longer used because in 2001 it was found to have security issues. As a result, it is now the old standard for encrypting wireless networks. As a result, it is now the old standard for encrypting wireless networks.

WPA – WiFi Protected Access The new standard for encrypting wireless networks. WPA – WiFi Protected Access The new standard for encrypting wireless networks. An upgrade of WEP to fix security issues. An upgrade of WEP to fix security issues. To avoid becoming vulnerable, a WPA encrypted network encryption methods changes often. To avoid becoming vulnerable, a WPA encrypted network changes encryption methods often. In addition, if an attack is detected, it has the ability to shut itself down for thirty seconds. In addition, if an attack is detected, it has the ability to shut itself down for thirty seconds.

PAN – Personal Area Network A network of devices connected together in one small area. PAN – Personal Area Network A network of devices connected together in one small area. A simple example of a PAN would be your computer, USB keyboard and mouse. A simple example of a PAN would be your computer, USB keyboard and mouse. Using a technology called Bluetooth, a PAN can be wireless. Using a technology called Bluetooth, a PAN can be wireless.

LAN – Local Area Network Briefly mentioned above, the LAN is a computer network that … LAN – Local Area Network Briefly mentioned above, LAN is a computer network that… generally speaking is Confined to one building, such as a home or office. generally speaking is confined to one building, such as a home or office. A wireless LAN is also known as a WLAN. A wireless LAN is also known as a WLAN.

MAN – Metropolitan Area Network A network that covers a larger area, like a city or town. MAN – Metropolitan Area Network A network that covers a larger area, like a city or town. They are expensive but a wireless MAN has the capacity to spread Internet access across a wide area. Many colleges and universities set-up a MAN to connect the entire campus. They are expensive but a wireless MAN has the capacity to spread Internet access across a wide area. Many college universities set-up a MAN to connect the entire campus.

WAN – Wide Area Network A network that covers or connects to more than one physical site. WAN – Wide Area Network A network that covers or connects to more than one physical site. A simple example would be a business that has locations in different cities, states or countries and they need them each location connected on the same network. A simple example would be a business that has locations in different cities, states or countries and they need them each location connected on the same network. The Internet itself is a WAN … The Internet itself is a WAN… the biggest WAN in the world. the biggest WAN in the world.

Mbps – megabits per second Not to be confused with MBps, megabytes per second. Mbps – Megabits Per Second Not to be confused with MBps, megabytes per second. Mbps is measurement of connection speed. There are eight megabits in a megabyte. Mbps is measurement of connection speed. There are eight megabits in a megabyte.

GHz – Gigahertz One gigahertz is one billion cycles per second … GHz – Gigahertz One gigahertz is one billion cycles per second… it’s a measurement of frequency. it’s a measurement of frequency. If the term sounds familiar it’s probably because it’s also used to measure the processing speed of the CPU on your computer, which is also measured in gigahertz. If the term sounds familiar it’s probably because it’s also used to measure the processing speed of the CPU on your computer, which is also measured in gigahertz.

Linux A popular and growing alternative operating system to Windows. Linux A popular and growing alternative operating system to Windows. Linux is a less bulky, more efficient operating system in many ways than Windows and not to mention – it’s free. Linux is a less bulky, more efficient operating system in many ways than Windows and not to mention – it’s free. Many servers run Linux for this reason. Many servers run Linux for this reason. Computers running Linux can run many programs and connect to the Internet without needing Windows. Computers running Linux can run many programs and connect to the Internet without needing Windows. Many wireless devices run Linux or are compatible with it. Many wireless devices run Linux or are compatible with it.

About the author: Kevin Erickson is a contributing writer for: Wireless Internet and Internet Telephone and Trade Shows. About the author: Kevin Erickson is a contributing writer for: Wireless Internet and Internet Telephone and Trade Shows . This article may be Reproduced only in its entirety. This article may be reproduced only in its entirety.
Author: Kevin Erickson Author: Kevin Erickson