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Best Web Applications
Google Documents is one of the best and most popular options for users who want to be able to use common office applications on the Internet. Google Documents offers, among other things, a text editor, spreadsheet editor and presentation editor.
Basecamp, produced by Signal37, has also become popular, and provides users with a web-based project tracking and managing system, which is useful if contributors to a project need constant access to the project plan on the web.
Finally, an excellent web-based email application is Google Mail, which provides many advanced features and almost 3GB of storage space to users. All of these applications provide excellent functionality to users with a convenience of being accessible from any computer with an Internet connection.
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352 Media Group Tip: Information Architecture
Information architecture is the science of modeling, structuring and arranging descriptions of information. It involves creating models which information can be conformed to fit so that it can be easily indexed and searched.
Information architecture is also concerned with the arrangement of information, and finding new and more efficient ways of arranging data so that it is as easily accessible as possible. Information architecture is used extensively online, especially for websites whose purpose is to develop communities, such as MySpace or Facebook, and is also a leading field of research for computer scientists.
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As far as web development, how do I create content in my web page design that users will read?
The goal of any web development would first be to get your point across. Since 79% of all web page users scan the page before actually reading anything, make sure you point is obvious. Web development should be clear and concise so that the user can see the main message in the title of the article, or within the first few sentences of a content section. Good web development should include highlighted words, bulleted lists, informational graphics and meaningful headlines. Good web devlopment will also be obvious to the user and easy to understand.
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352 Media Group Tip: Web Programming Blog
A web programming web log (blog) is a blog that a writer or writers have dedicated to the topic of web programming. Web programming involves the design, creation and implementation of web sites using computer code such as PHP, HTML and CSS.
A web programming blog could contain information about new advances in web programming languages, new designs that the writer has found on the Internet or new designs that the writers have created themselves or through work for a firm that they are writing for.
Web programming blogs are also popular places for new web designers to find advice and information on creating their own websites, especially since beginners often need help with the more technical aspects of website creation (which web programming blogs focus on). Web programming blogs can also contain coding examples, which a user could take and apply to their own websites.
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Atlanta Web Design
If you're looking for an Atlanta Web design firm, you may be wondering where to start your search. Looking for a local design firm has its advantages. You can more easily arrange a meeting with the design firm and miscellaneous costs like phone calls, travel time, and shipping will be minimal or nonexistent. Try going to an organization such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA at www.Aiga.org) or the Graphic Artists Guild (GAG at gag.org) and locate a member from an Atlanta Web design firm you'd like to work with. You can often get an idea of capabilities by viewing portfolios and company profiles online ahead of time.
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352 Media Group Tip: Award Winning Web Design
Award winning web designs are usually designs that show off proper coding techniques, color coordination, adherence to standards, are easy to navigate and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
The website DesignFirms.org awards monthly and yearly awards to websites that it considers to be well-designed or that conform to standards set down by international Internet organizations like WC3.
These sites are varied and come from different genres, such as FairwayLife.com (a site devoted to golfing), Artage-Design.com (an interior design website) and LoftStyles.ca (a website devoted to providing real estate advice in Canada). All of these January 2007 winners have websites that are well-designed, clean, fast-loading and conform to XML, CSS and HTML standards, which makes them award winning web design.
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Advantages and Disadvantages to a Local Web design Firm
Hiring a local Web design firm will have both advantages and disadvantages. Working with a local Web design firm, you get the benefit of local proximity, easier face-to-face contact, and reduced expenses from meetings, travel time, communication, and shipping. In addition, you have the added advantage of more easily building a rapport with your Web design firm when you can interact with them.
The disadvantage of working with a local Web design firm may depend on your location. If you live in an area where you have a limited amount of choices, you may be relegated to working with designers who do not best suit your needs. In addition, in today's technologically advanced world, if you have basic email, Internet access, a shipping address, and phone service, you can work with a Web design firm from virtually any part of the country or globe. The difficulty arises during larger projects when meetings need to take place. However, with teleconferencing and video communications available, you can overcome complications as they arise.
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352 Media Group Tip: Objectively Selecting a Web Design Company
The best way to objectively select a web design company is by performing a web design case study. In this type of study, a user will choose a small pool of potential design companies and objectively compare them to one another through a variety of ranking methods.
These methods can include the services that each company offers, the technical expertise of the companies, the number of previous clients the companies have and how long the companies have been in business.
If the companies are ranked properly, then the ones that are the best will rise to the top of the pile. From there, the user can perform subjective selection based upon other criteria such as aesthetics and design quality.
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Custom Web Site Design Vs. Web Site Template
Before you make a decision to make an online business presence, you will want to consider your options for creating a Web site. You may want to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of creating a custom Web site design versus using a Web site template.
If you have a limited budget and need to establish your online business presence in a short amount of time, you should consider using a Web site template for your business. This is a cost effective way to put up your business Web site in a short amount of time. You can also find a wide array of design packages to choose from. The downside is that you will have to do the work yourself and you will lack the added advantage of a design professional and online marketing advice.
When working with a custom Web site design, you will have a business Web site created specifically for your business. The content, image, and marketing input you receive will be based on the needs of your organization. You will be able to create an online business presence that will help you garner new clientele, build your brand, implement online marketing, and help you stay ahead of the competition.
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Award Winning Web Design Firms
Some award winning web design firms include DesignWorks (founded in 1990 in the Silicon Valley), Evenson Design and 352Media.com, a design firm that has won numerous technical and non-technical awards.
The awards these firms have received are based upon their experience in the business of web design, their customer service record, their level of expertise and the quality of their website along with the websites or print media that they produce.
Generally, award winning web design firms can be found by doing a search online or by looking for them in the local yellow pages. Things to look for when searching for award winning web design firms are awards that have been given by other design firms, websites that clearly demonstrate why they won the awards and an easily accessible portfolio for you to browse through.
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