Hints Web Development
w3c link checker.
I have been working on a project with a few clients where they are moving all their static content (as well as creating some dynamic content) into a CMS. They have about fifty pages done and wanted to check the links on their site to see what was broken so I directed them to the […]
Hints HOWTOs Web Development
Find Your Location
If you ever are not sure of the path to one of your scripts of files (.htpasswd), you can easily find out by creating a new PHP file, and then copying the following code into the file: After you save the file, view it in your browser and you will see the location of your […]
Hints Hosting
jappler recommends: do not use godaddy.com for hosting.
Over the past few months I have had the chance to look at a number of hosting companies and their “control panels” by working with a number of clients. It seems as a number of people flock to godaddy.com because of it’s price (really cheap), but I have learned – once again – that you […]
Hints HOWTOs
Get Serious About Backups
If there is one thing I cannot stand more than anything when it comes to computer support – it is failure to have a backup strategy. If you have pictures, email, documents, music, videos, etc that you consider valuable – do something about it. There are many ways to easily backup your personal data and […]
Apache Content Management Systems Hints Web Development
debugging web site/database lessons.
After spending a frustrating day yesterday working with a client, their web site overload issues, and the hosting “advanced support” I am worn out. The issue: extremely high traffic database driven web site – when moved into the production environment on a dedicated server – would spike the processors’ load to 100% and would then […]
CSS Hints HOWTOs Web Development
CSS and z-index.
I have been busy working on an excited project that uses some pretty complicated layouts. I was originally hired to optimize and clean up the XHTML/CSS so it would work in IE 6, IE 7, Safari, and Firefox, but now am busy working on producing the clean XHTML/CSS from the start. I needed to brush […]
Business Hints HOWTOs
Work Smarter
When every hour you spend impacts your bottom line, I have learned a few tricks to working smarter. Do not be a slave to email. When I am working on projects, email can be a continuous distraction. “I will just see what x client wants really quick” can easily turn into a mental distraction as […]
CSS Hints HOWTOs Web Development
using parallels and windows for web development debugging.
Yesterday I finally broke down and bought Parallels and Windows XP to run on my MacBook Pro so I could do my CSS debugging and testing on IE 6 and IE 7 for Windows. After the ridiculously long Windows install and then security updates (74), I was pleasantly surprised with the speed and performance of […]
CSS Hints Web Development
cross check your css.
If you do not have a lot of time or experience with CSS, here are some quick ways to save yourself headaches down the road. If you have read my blog before, this is nothing new, but I cannot stress these points enough. Validate your code. By simply validating your code, you can learn a […]
Hints HOWTOs Web Development
If You Want a Web Site Redesign…
If you have thought it through and tried to make small changes but you are still unhappy with your site, here are some things to consider: Existing successful web sites. The first thing that I do as a web developer/consultant is ask my clients to list three-five web sites they like and find easy to […]
Hints Web Development
a little goes a long way.
I have had a number of people ask me to help them with their web site redesigns/re-development because they are unhappy with how their current site looks. Usually I hear one of two comments: “I have been using this design for x years and I need a complete redesign.” “X in the company is complaining […]