Resources
This part of the site began as a few links to potentially useful sites, but with research and the internet it began getting out of control. Now it's back under control and is a little more ordered.
Some of the sites are sources to buy software, some are sources of trial software, some contain that most popular of creatures - the freebie and some are places to refer to when the creativity is not flowing.
These are sites that one or both of us have used at some point, if you find any others let us know and we'll put a link to them.
For further inspiration, and with your permission of course, we will put a link to a selection of Assignment 10 websites.
Useful resources:
Visit http://www.w3schools.com for all the Web-building tutorials you need.
PNG Colors in Internet Explorer - read this handy article in the sitepoint tech times newsletter
http://www.sitepoint.com/newsletter/viewissue.php?id=3&issue=153&format=html#7
Accessibility, Usability and Design - a couple of the best resources for accessibility, usability and design are
webcredible: http://www.webcredible.co.uk/
sitepoint: http://www.sitepoint.com/books/
Also, site point have just released a usability kit http://www.sitepoint.com/books/usability1/
Usability and accessibility are increasingly important not only for accessing the most users and making the user experience an easy one, but your efforts in these areas are likely to impact on your clients' bottom lines. - there are not many usability and accessibility experts about.
Design Inspiration
As for design inspiration - there are some books that discuss good and bad design but I feel these just point you to the extremes. The best place to pick up design skills is by looking at the sites that you admire that offer a good user experience while observing web standards. Those sites in my opinion are usually simple, crisp and uncluttered rather than graphically impressive. Design is something to develop as an ongoing thing when you start building sites
Have a look at the zen garden http://www.csszengarden.com/ - extremes again but shows what can be done with CSS design.
Adding video to a web page: You can jump right into preparing videos with Flash just by reading this article from Digital Web Magazine.
http://www.digital-web.com/articles/the_rise_of_flash_video_part_3/
Adding Flash to a web page - Validation and accessibility concerns - one of our previous students kindly pointed us to this article about Embedding Flash while supporting web standards - It's nice and easy, validates and seems to work in most major browsers inc IE6.
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/flashsatay
Data Protection
Improve your understanding of Data Protection with a free DVD launched by the Information Commissioner's Office entitled 'The Lights Are On' - If you would like a Free copy visit www.red-tape.org or call 0845 050 0080.
Be aware of Data Protection scams - The only enforcer of the Data Protection Act is the Information Commissioners Office. To register is easy, just contact the Information Commissioners Office on 01625 545745 or via the website www.ico.gov.uk It costs just £35 to register. Do not respond to requests for payment from other comnpanies.
Changes to the Companies Act - A company's business letters, order forms and websites now have to include:
- The company's place of registration (e.g. England).
- The company's registration number.
- The address of the company's registered office.
- The company's VAT registration number, even if the website is not being used for e-commerce transactions.
- clear prices that state whether they are inclusive of tax and delivery costs.
A Free factsheet is available from www.red-tape.org or call 0845 050 0080
Site Promotion
Directory Scams
An example is the European City Guide. Comanies are invited to sign up to the free directory but then receive a bill. The small print on the form states that you are signing a binding contract to pay for the entry. If you don't pay, you are threatened with court action, but The Red Tape Team are not aware of this happening to date.
SCAMS - if in doubt call the Red tape Team on 0845 050 0080 and they will check it out for you.
Check out www.red-tape.org