Reading in Non-Designer's Web Book

At the risk of sounding really pompous, I'll admit to skimming the first two chapters. I'm old enough to remember programming in BASIC, and also the travesty that was Windows 3.11, but I'm young enough to be entirely conversant with the Internet, Web 2.0, and HTML.

I couldn't agree more with Chapter 5. I work at a non-profit that accomplishes nearly all of its communication through electronic channels. We save a fortune on printing and mailing costs, we're able to reach more people, and we're able to do it more often. The line about a webpage being "as fresh as your morning coffee" couldn't be more accurate - if that website is properly maintained. I am currently editing and updating our online store - e-commerce was apparently orphaned.

As far as Chapter 6 goes: I was actually able to apply some of the CRAP principles to the editing of the online store and to another update I created. I'm pretty blessed in that my director is programming-savvy and has a sense of style, so we have a very slick website with a functional, user-friendly interface. I'm always amazed when I see a website crammed with text - especially when it's not spell-checked - or that has misaligned photos, or photos without a 10-pixel bump, so that text runs right into them.

It may be a generational divide, or it may be a particular business sense, but I can't believe there are folks out there with enough motivation to create a website and maintain it, but who cannot understand that a website is often the first (and only, if it's bad) impression on a potential client.

It's not hard. You're renting the space, not the materials. Dress it up, people.

Background

I'm not sure I care much for this background. Finding it was easy, and changing the template equally so, but I just wanted the car...not the tribal tattoo thing. Oh well.

திஸ் திங் இஸ் டோடல்லி இன் தமிழ்

Transliteration is awesome.

Also using a Mac tonight. I feel smarter and better-looking.