|
|
April
2009 ~~
Issue 2
Online Web Design Information Newsletter
|
 JPEG vs GIF - When to
use which graphic format |
| Each type of the two main graphic formats has its own special use. To determine
when to use which format, we first take a look at the attributes of each. |
- Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpeg or .jpg) can display millions of
different color shades and are better used for photographs. The JPEG image itself is not
clear or crisp image but with photographs, it's the shading that makes the
picture. however, when used for simple graphics, it produces a much poorer
quality image. To reduce the JPEG image size, the level of compression determines
the end file size.
|
- Graphics Interchange Format (.gif) has the ability to display up to 256
different colors. This allows easy editing of any color and produces a nice crisp image,
especially for flat colors. This type of image is ideal for logos, clip art,
drawings, cartoons, etc -- images with very few color shades. You can also reduce the
number of colors in the GIF format to make the file smaller and load more quickly onto your web
page.
|
| |
| How easily are you distracted? |
| The phone rings - do you answer it right away? A new e-mail chimes its arrival -
do you stop and read it? A text message arrives - do you read and reply back? |
| Studies have shown that the average person can only concentrate on a single task for
only about 5 minutes. There is so much technology at hand, interruptions keep that statistic
viable. That's not to say they are wholly responsible or that you should give up on
technology. Here are some ideas to help you relax ... mentally. |
- Leave the techno-gadgets at home and go for a walk.
|
- Leave the phone in another room when you retire for the evening
|
- Use conversation discretion when visiting with family and friends or better
yet, turn them off during the evening and check for messages as time
allows.
|
| If you talk with someone that is constantly being interrupted with chimes, bells, and
dings, it sends the message that they are more important than the conversation. Not a
good message to send, no matter what the technology! |
|
Additional Resources: For additional information on living with
technology in a human world, visit the below links:
www.news.cnet.com/Driven-to-distraction-by-technology/2100-1022_3-5797028.html
www.elearners.com/back-to-school/back-to-school/managing-your-home-office.asp
|
| |
| XSitePro2 Tips &
Tricks - Image Boarders your way |
|
Boarders are an easy way to add professional detail to any image.
One option is to insert them within a Table and set the boarder width. However, that
limits you in the boarder style. Here's how to enhance the XSitePro2 Image Properties to get
boarders your way.
- Within the XSP Design Tab, R-click on the image to be framed and select Image
Properties. Within the Attributes Tab, Misc section (at the bottom), choose the width and
color of the border.
- Within the XSP Source Tab, in the <Img style= section where the image code
is defined, replace the word "solid" with one of the following attribute options.
Hint: Define your color and size within XSP first, then change the attribute
source. Editing these parameters later automatically resets the attribute to "solid" by
XSP.
|
|
dotted
|
 |
|
dashed
|
|
|
ridge
|
|
|
thick
|
|
|
inset
|
|
|
outset
|
|
|
groove
|
|
|
double
|
|
|
| |
| Web Site Navigation
Ideas |
| It's sometimes easy to forget who your web site is for -- like highway signs for
the town resident or the visitor. People are coming to your site for information and the easier
they find it, the better, for everyone. |
- Always link the logo to the Home page. Then they can always start over
if they need to. Also include a "Home" or "Home page" link from your menu.
|
- Put a menu navigation system at the top or left side of the page and be
consistent. Don't change the location of the menu on different pages.
|
- Include a Site Map (see the July 2009 issue for more info on Site Maps).
|
- Optionally include a Breadcrumb trail (see October 2009 for more on
Breadcrumb trails).
|
| A good site navigation plan will cut down on the number of clicks from one page to
another. The general rule of thumb is 3 or less clicks from one page to another. Remember
the 'Keep It Simple' rule. |
|
|
 print  bookmark
|
