Get your favorite site designs featured on About.com: What is your favorite Web design?

More Web design resources and help: Follow me on Twitter or Become a Fan on Facebook

Wordless Wednesday - Reader's Favorite Designs: Alcoholics Anonymous of Midland, Michigan originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 00:00:19.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Do you write a blog about Web design, CSS, HTML or some other aspect of Web development? I would love to know about it. Submit your blog to my Blogroll by filling out this form.

Tell Us About Your Web Design Blog originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 05:23:34.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I love to read. I read over 100 books a year, possibly as many as 200 books. And while most of these books are science fiction, dantasy, or general fiction, I also read a lot of Web development books. These are some of the books that have come out recently that I would like to read.

(Compare Prices)

(Compare Prices)

(Compare Prices)

• HTML and JavaScript BASICS by Karl Barksdale and E. Shane Turner (Compare Prices)
• Host Your Web Site On The Cloud: Amazon Web Services Made Easy: Amazon EC2 Made Easy by Jeff Barr (Compare Prices)
• Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML (5th Edition) by Terry Morris (Compare Prices)
• Web 2.0: Making the Web Work for You, Illustrated by Jane Hosie-Bounar and Barbara M. Waxer (Compare Prices)

Read more...

Interesting Web Books - New Books on Web Development originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 14:08:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Last week I posted about some of the many ways that Web designers and Web developers can get on each others nerves. I then received a couple comments saying that that was what Project Managers were for - to make sure that the team members communicate. Well, I'm not arguing that point, but it made me start thinking about project managers - and if there's one thing that will make feuding designers and developers band together, it's in their hatred of Project Managers. :-) I have worked on many projects that wouldn't have been completed without the PM, but I have also been on many projects that were desperately hindered by the PM. And even good PMs have annoying tendencies. You might even argue that that's what makes them a good PM. Share Your Annoyances

• What Web Designers and Web Developers Hate About Project Managers
• What do you hate about Project Managers?
• What Web Designers Hate About Web Developers
• What Web Developers Hate About Web Designers

Project Managers Can Be Useful, But They Can Also Be Annoying originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 05:42:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

When you create a font stack, you are creating a fallback system for your customers. If they don't have the first font, the page will display with the second, and so on. But most designers don't test their pages looking at the alternate fonts, and this can cause problems with some designs. The challenge is that it can be tedious to view and remove all your fonts one at a time to do testing on them. And there aren't a lot of alternatives to doing that. But this script can help. The Font-Stack-Tester scans your CSS and puts an overlay on the page to allow you to remove the fonts manually. It's still in beta stages, and eventually it will be a bookmarklet, but right now it's pretty neat if you want to put the JS scripts into your pages for testing.

• Font Stacks: Font-Stack-Tester
• Font Stacks - How to Choose a Workable CSS Font Stack
• Share Your Font Stacks
• Web Typography Mistakes
• See all the Software Picks
• Suggest Software for the Pick of the Week

Web Design Software Pick of the Week: Font-Stack-Tester originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 05:05:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

This week I found some sites that teach how to do some nifty things with CSS. So the next time someone tells you that CSS creates boring designs, you can point to one of these sites and correct their perception.

• Pure CSS speech bubbles
• 4 Ways to Get Rounded Corners Using CSS
• Speed Up with CSS3 Gradients
• Create a smiley face using only xHTML and CSS
• A Fancy Photo Gallery - view the source to see how it was done
• Text Shadow Box
• CSS Tabs Without JavaScript
• CSS3 Menu Without JavaScript
• Creating an Image Map using CSS only
• Custom radio and checkbox inputs using CSS

Link Love: CSS Tricks originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 14:55:01.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

You're working on getting a new script finished to replace the one that is breaking in IE 8, when the designer comes asking you to move the navigation bar back from where he had you move it yesterday. Or you've finished your user testing and realized that the change you made to the navigation bar design is affecting the content lower down, but when you ask the developer to move it, she says "no" and goes back to fiddling with her code, ignoring you.

Whichever person you identify with more, both situations can be really annoying. But while Web developers can seem negative and Web designers wishy-washy, you still have to work with them. Find out what Web designers hate about developers and Web developers hate about designers, and share your own pet peeves about both.

Share Your Annoyances

• What Web Designers Hate About Web Developers
• What Web Developers Hate About Web Designers
• What do you hate about Web Designers?
• What do you hate about Web Developers?

Are They That Annoying on Purpose? originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 18:06:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

A Web designer is a person who focuses on the design of a site. They often build the CSS and graphics for a site and are focused on how the site looks to customers. A Web developer is more of a programmer. They often build the HTML (and sometimes CSS) for a site as well as the JavaScript, databases, and server-side programming. While I realize that most of us do at least a little (or a lot) of both of these disciplines, there is one that you focus more on. I left off the option "both" deliberately because I want to know what you do more of, even if it's 50.1% design and 49.9% development. Choose "neither" if you do something else on a website like provide content or you are still learning and don't have a focus yet.

Poll: Are You More a Designer or a Developer? originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 13:56:19.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Get your site featured on About.com: What is your favorite Web design?

More Web design resources and help: Follow me on Twitter or Become a Fan on Facebook

Wordless Wednesday - Reader's Favorite Designs: Ditte Schupp originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 00:00:19.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

When you're looking for a Web host, you'll probably notice the big red numbers splashed all over their screens proclaiming 99% (or higher) uptime. Since most of them offer this level or better of uptime, it hard to use this criteria as a way of choosing your Web host. And while I definitely recommend getting a host that offers at least 99% uptime, you should be aware that 99% uptime equals about 1 business day down every month. The fact is that unless you have super redundancy, which is extremely expensive, you're going to have some website downtime periodically. In a test Watchmouse did from January 20 to February 24, 2010, only two of the NASDAQ 100 sites had 100% uptime: Google and RyanAir. And 73% of the top 100 sites had an uptime less than 99.9%. This doesn't mean that those 73 sites should change hosting providers, (well perhaps Qualcomm and Millicom should). It means that they will be reimbursed for the time that their sites were down.

What uptime means in real terms originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 12:46:10.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

And the results are in. Some of the races were very close, while others had a clear winner almost from the start. It was all very exciting. You can view the winners in each of the different categories off of these pages:

• Best Web Designs
• Best Web Hosting Providers
• Best Software for Web Designers

Congratulations to all the winners!

Web Design Reader's Choice Winners - Congratulations! originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 03:01:13.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

There are dozens if not hundreds or even thousands of Web hosting providers out there. Trying to choose between them can be overwhelming. Many beginning Web designers start out with only one criteria - the host must be cheap or free. But most people find that the cheapest hosts offer drawbacks that slightly more costly hosts don't have. Make sure you're getting exactly what you need. Choose a Web Host

• Select a Web Host - Features of a Good Host
• 10 Best Web Hosting Providers
• 10 Worst Web Hosting Providers
• Web Hosting Comparison Chart

Does Your Hosting Provider Give You What You Need? originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 21:57:04.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

JQuery is a JavaScript library that focuses on the interaction between the JavaScript and the HTML. It was created to help simplify animations, server communication, and event handling. A good resource for learning it is the jQuery Cookbook. Many people who write Ajax use jQuery to simplify their work. Do you use jQuery?

Poll: do you use jQuery? originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 08:08:49.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I have created three basic templates for Web forms. If you remember not to get over complicated when building your form, you can create a form that is both usable by your customers and beautiful. But what Web forms do you feel are particularly beautiful? Share your thoughts on what makes a form beautiful and some URLs of beautiful forms. And here are the free Web templates:

• Top Aligned Web Form Web Layout
• Basic Web Form with Left Aligned Labels
• Basic Web Form with Right Aligned Labels

Start Basic to Create Beautiful Web Forms originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 20:14:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Voting ends at 11:59pm ET on February 24th. So there are only a few hours left to get your votes in for your favorite Web designs, Web hosts, and Web design software.

• Best Web Designs
• Best Web Hosting Providers
• Best Software for Web Designers

Take your time and vote for the sites that best exemplify the category. And don't forget to tell your friends to vote too. The winners will be announced on March 1, 2010.

Only a few hours left! originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 16:19:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

How do you do it? I know designers who use systems like GTD or Franklin Covey and other designers who keep it all in their head or on post-it notes. It's not so much how you do it, as that you do it if you want to be good at freelancing. Find out how other Web designers manage their time and share your techniques.

Good Time Management is an Essential Freelancing Skill originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 14:18:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I used to post these types of things on Twitter, but I think I'm going to blog them now. These are some of the Web design and HTML related articles I've read this week and found interesting:

• 5 Tips to Add Hours to Your Day - I love the first one, that's what has saved me tons of time. But the other 4 are good too.
• Creating an Inspiring and Inviting Workspace - this was interesting, but honestly, I don't think that clutter is bad - if it's inspiring clutter. I would LOVE a slide in my office, however.
• The Do's and Don'ts of a Successful Portfolio - part 1 of a series for graphic designers, but the information is completely relevant to Web designers as well.
• Checking Your Site For Visual Hierarchy - great advice, but I don't think that it works well how he's implemented it on this page. The bold text made me want to read just those items - which ended up reading like a poem not useful advice. But if you can ignore that, the content is good.
• 5 Lists Every Website Owner Should Keep - I was surprised to discover that I keep all 5 of these lists myself. So of course, I agree. :-)
• How to Choose Web Hosting for Designers - in a nutshell? shared hosting and reseller hosting.
• Group Interview: Expert Advice For Students and Young Web Designers - be aware that their list of experts is really a list of men who do a lot of bloging about Web design. But the advice they give is sound.

Link Love - time management, workspaces, portfolios and more originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 15:11:04.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

There are many different aspects to Web design from the principles of Web design to CSS to Web marketing and strategy. But one of the first places most people start is to learn HTML. But learning HTML is something that can be done quickly or methodically. How long have you been studying HTML, and do you feel you know HTML?

Poll: How long did it take you to learn HTML? originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 08:06:06.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

pLately I have received six new Web editor reviews. What's your a href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/library/bl_web_editor_reviews.htmfavorite Web design software/a?/p ul listronga href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/webeditorcustomerreviews/gr/codelobsterph.htmCodelobster PHP Edition version 3.2.1/a/strongbr / img src=http://z.about.com/f/bl/star/t1/5.gif alt=5 stars width=67 height=15 border=0 /br / by Stasbr / It has very good PHP/HTML/CSS autocomplete and HTML inspector with FireBug stylebr / a href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/freewebeditors/fr/codelobster-profile.htmCodeLobster Overview/a br /br / /li listronga href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/webeditorcustomerreviews/gr/kompozer3.htmKompozer version 0.7.10/a/strongbr / img src=http://z.about.com/f/bl/star/t1/5.gif alt=5 stars width=67 height=15 border=0 /br / by TechTooNAbr / The HTML editor is greatbr / a href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/freewebeditors/fr/kompozer.htmKompoZer Overview/a br /br / /li listronga href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/webeditorcustomerreviews/gr/expressionweb2.htmMicrosoft Expression Web version 3.0/a/strongbr / img src=http://z.about.com/f/bl/star/t1/4.gif alt=4 stars width=67 height=15 border=0 /br / by Cassiusbr / Microsoft Expression Web is a serious WYSIWYG web design software.br / a href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/expressionweb/fr/expression-web-profile.htmExpression Web Overview/a br /br / /li listronga href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/webeditorcustomerreviews/gr/jalbum.htmJALBUM version 8.5.1/a/strongbr / img src=http://z.about.com/f/bl/star/t1/5.gif alt=5 stars width=67 height=15 border=0 /br / by Davebr / I've used Jalbum for 4 years or so for variety of tasks and greatly appreciate its concept, design, evolution and support. In my opinion it is far supperior to other album creation tools that I've usedbr / a href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/freewebeditors/fr/jalbum-profile.htmJalbum Overview/a br /br / /li listronga href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/webeditorcustomerreviews/gr/alleycode.htmAlleycode version 2.21/a/strongbr / img src=http://z.about.com/f/bl/star/t1/5.gif alt=5 stars width=67 height=15 border=0 /br / by Stanbr / It is intuitive to use for the person just starting to code.br / a href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/freewebeditors/fr/alleycode-profile.htmAlleycode Overview/a br /br / /li listronga href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/webeditorcustomerreviews/gr/freewayexpress.htmSoftpress Freeway version Express/a/strongbr / img src=http://z.about.com/f/bl/star/t1/4.gif alt=4 stars width=67 height=15 border=0 /br / by Martin Bullivantbr / it is an HTML Generator-not an editor. That is it's strength-people who don't understand HTML Coding can design websites with it.br / a href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/macintoshhtmleditors/fr/freeway-express-profile.htmFreeway Express Overview/a br /br / /li /ul pstronga href=http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/od/webeditorcustomerreviews/Web_Editor_Customer_Reviews.htmMore Web Editor Customer Reviews.../a/strongbr / Lots of different editors and other Web design software reviewed by About.com readers just like you./p pWhat is your favorite Web design software or Web editor? a href=http://webdesign.about.com/library/bl_web_editor_reviews.htmstrongWrite a Review/strong/a/p p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/b/2010/02/17/some-new-web-editor-reviews.htm"Some new Web editor reviews/a originally appeared on a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/"About.com Web Design / HTML/a on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 19:54:16./ppa href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/b/2010/02/17/some-new-web-editor-reviews.htm"Permalink/a | a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc#038;zu=http://webdesign.about.com/b/2010/02/17/some-new-web-editor-reviews.htm#gB3"Comment/a | a href="http://webdesign.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://webdesign.about.com/b/2010/02/17/some-new-web-editor-reviews.htm#038;zItl=Some new Web editor reviews"Email this/a/p

Lately I have received six new Web editor reviews. What's your favorite Web design software?

• Codelobster PHP Edition version 3.2.1
  
  by Stas
  "It has very good PHP/HTML/CSS autocomplete and HTML inspector with FireBug style"
  CodeLobster Overview
  
  
• Kompozer version 0.7.10
  
  by TechTooNA
  "The HTML editor is great"
  KompoZer Overview
  
  
• Microsoft Expression Web version 3.0
  
  by Cassius
  "Microsoft Expression Web is a serious WYSIWYG web design software."
  Expression Web Overview
  
  
• JALBUM version 8.5.1
  
  by Dave
  "I've used Jalbum for 4 years or so for variety of tasks and greatly appreciate its concept, design, evolution and support. In my opinion it is far supperior to other album creation tools that I've used"
  Jalbum Overview
  
  
• Alleycode version 2.21
  
  by Stan
  "It is intuitive to use for the person just starting to code."
  Alleycode Overview
  
  
• Softpress Freeway version Express
  
  by Martin Bullivant
  "it is an HTML Generator-not an editor. That is it's strength-people who don't understand HTML Coding can design websites with it."
  Freeway Express Overview
  
  

More Web Editor Customer Reviews...
Lots of different editors and other Web design software reviewed by About.com readers just like you.

What is your favorite Web design software or Web editor? Write a Review

Some new Web editor reviews originally appeared on About.com Web Design / HTML on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 19:54:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this