Design Control is a Feature
I don’t know why it took me so long, but it just hit me that requests for controlling website design are feature requests just like just like an events calendar or Twitter widget.
Understanding Web Design
The Sweet Spot for Website Features & Content [link]
Every idea you have for your website has to meet these four criteria.
Videos of Assistive Technology and Accessible Websites in Action!
To understand web accessibility, it’s important to understand all the ways a computer can be used to visit your website. Here are six short videos of “assistive technology.”
Who Sees Your Home Page?
What percentage of users view a home page? Is it as high as the name might imply?
Buy Expertise
The dangers of a DIY website and a suggestion for making better websites on the cheap.
“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.