Buy Expertise
The dangers of a DIY website and a suggestion for making better websites on the cheap.
Understanding Web Design
“Doing Your Part” Presentation & Two Short Assistive Technology Videos
This past weekend, I attended and presented at WordCamp Seattle: Experienced. Even if you don’t understand the code behind the techniques, take a moment to watch users of “assistive technology.”
The New Yorker Explains HTML5 and the W3C
You’ve probably heard at least a passing reference or two to HTML5, but do you really have any clue what it is? The New Yorker recently wrote a fun primer on what HTML5 is, how it came to be, and the messy arguments and competing standards that popped up on the way toward becoming a formal … Continue reading “The New Yorker Explains HTML5 and the W3C”
When To Use PNG, JPG, and GIFs. [image]
Do you know your JPGs from your GIFs? How do you say “GIF” anyway? Answers to those questions and more in today’s episode.
Tips For Picking a Good WordPress Theme (Free or Paid)
The WordPress theme landscape is vast and wild. It is a terrifying place, really, with lots of hidden dangers and dark corners. There are many things to consider when looking for a WordPress theme for your website. Here are some of the pointers I often give when the topic arises.
Taking a Step Back to Laugh [link]
Some humor to take solace in during a tough design project.
What are We To Do About Hover Drop Down Menus?
Hover-triggered drop down menus have long been the standard, but they come with loads of problems that have emerged over time. It’s time to drop them and move to something better.
Vetting Your Website Developer [link]
A great resource to help you make sure your developer will be addressing your full needs on a new website project.
Talk to A Developer
I gave two talks last week about WordPress for nonprofits and a common thread arose. Let me tell you about it. It’ll save you time and money if you’re getting started on a website.
Ease, Power, and Cost
Many people know the Free/Cheap/Good trade-off, but I think there’s a similar Ease/Power/Cheap one. Understanding it helps people make better and more-informed decisions about their projects.
Thoughtful Forms and Interfaces [link]
Last week’s post discussed how some practices and people—mostly straight white men—can blatantly make women feel unwelcome in the technology sector. This week’s post links to two articles about much subtler ways in which website interfaces themselves can marginalize people.
WordPress & Taxonomies: Part 3, Custom Taxonomies
In the third and final part of this series, I briefly cover the basics of adding “Custom Taxonomies” to a WordPress site and offer some useful tips on how to get the most out of them.
WordPress & Taxonomies: Part 2, Categories & Tags
The second part of the “WordPress & Taxonomies” series brings us to “Categories” and “Tags,” the two default taxonomies in WordPress and two frequently misunderstood features.
WordPress & Taxonomies: Part 1, Taxonomies & Terms
“Taxonomy.” That’s a weird-looking, poly-syllabic word that might be a bit scary, but you’ve seen them and used them all over the web. Learn what they are dive into this three-part series on taxonomies and WordPress.
Email Addresses and Spam on Websites
After my recent post on contact forms and email addresses, I tackle the issue of spam and “hiding” emails in hopes of avoiding it. After trying various security measures, I’m pretty cavalier about it all.
There is No Web Page
Old technologies and desktop publish have led many people to think of editing a web page as if it were a single piece of information, stored in one location, and edited in one place. It’s not.