Comments for Boagworld http://boagworld.com A blog, podcast and community for all those who design, develop and run websites. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on I’m angry and frustrated by Amanda White http://boagworld.com/working-in-web-design/im-angry-and-frustrated/#comment-11729 Amanda White Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:01:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7412#comment-11729 Design is foremost about communication. Thus, it is about people. By avoiding people and working with them, we avoid tackling unique communication problems and challenges. In turn we may miss out on a brilliant new solution. That and it's healthy to work with people and it gives the work more meaning. These are, of course, just my opinions. Love your blog, by the way. It is always very insightful. Design is foremost about communication. Thus, it is about people. By avoiding people and working with them, we avoid tackling unique communication problems and challenges. In turn we may miss out on a brilliant new solution. That and it’s healthy to work with people and it gives the work more meaning. These are, of course, just my opinions.

Love your blog, by the way. It is always very insightful.

]]> Comment on Are you annoying your repeat users? by Helen Trahair http://boagworld.com/usability/are-you-annoying-your-repeat-users/#comment-11728 Helen Trahair Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:14:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7468#comment-11728 Milk & More are very guilty of the all above - they send me offers/discounts (yey) but their website refuses to let me in/ send me my (forgotton) password and username. If i do get in (after  searching my emails and having  found log in details) they refuse to accept I'm a new user because they have my email address and home address - and I havn't ever ordered anything! Looks like I never will either - short of moving house AND changing my email address to re-register!!! Milk & More are very guilty of the all above – they send me offers/discounts (yey) but their website refuses to let me in/ send me my (forgotton) password and username. If i do get in (after  searching my emails and having  found log in details) they refuse to accept I’m a new user because they have my email address and home address – and I havn’t ever ordered anything! Looks like I never will either - short of moving house AND changing my email address to re-register!!!

]]> Comment on Sites are like billboards not books by Jeff Croft http://boagworld.com/tumblog/sites-are-like-billboards-not-books/#comment-11726 Jeff Croft Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:42:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7461#comment-11726 I agree in some cases. But in others, it's not practical and don't make good, logical business sense to have the content/copy before you create the design system. For example, take a newspaper site. With new content being posted several times an hour, it's just not practical to do anything other than create a template and flow the content into it. Some sites are like billboards, yes. Some are more like books. Some are like newspapers. Some are like magazines. Some are like apps.  The answer to this, like pretty much every other design question in the world is: it depends. I agree in some cases. But in others, it’s not practical and don’t make good, logical business sense to have the content/copy before you create the design system. For example, take a newspaper site. With new content being posted several times an hour, it’s just not practical to do anything other than create a template and flow the content into it.

Some sites are like billboards, yes. Some are more like books. Some are like newspapers. Some are like magazines. Some are like apps. 

The answer to this, like pretty much every other design question in the world is: it depends.

]]> Comment on Sites are like billboards not books by Neal Chester http://boagworld.com/tumblog/sites-are-like-billboards-not-books/#comment-11725 Neal Chester Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:18:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7461#comment-11725 I totally agree! This has become my stance on web design as of late. It's more about the message the design just wraps around it. So what I've been doing is working on the message first and then creating a web presence that caters to that message. This also eliminates the number one problem in web development: clients taking forever to give content. if we start with a copywriter the most important part is taking care of and the process can continue to flow from there. Excellent post. I thought I was the only one who was thinking like this. I totally agree! This has become my stance on web design as of late. It’s more about the message the design just wraps around it. So what I’ve been doing is working on the message first and then creating a web presence that caters to that message. This also eliminates the number one problem in web development: clients taking forever to give content. if we start with a copywriter the most important part is taking care of and the process can continue to flow from there. Excellent post. I thought I was the only one who was thinking like this.

]]> Comment on I’m angry and frustrated by Brian B http://boagworld.com/working-in-web-design/im-angry-and-frustrated/#comment-11724 Brian B Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:47:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7412#comment-11724 This is really good stuff, Paul. Thanks for sharing the opening chapter. I think I spotted a typo in there on page 13, under the section about clients having valuable contributions. "Our," should be are. Cheers! Look forward to reading more! This is really good stuff, Paul. Thanks for sharing the opening chapter. I think I spotted a typo in there on page 13, under the section about clients having valuable contributions. “Our,” should be are.

Cheers! Look forward to reading more!

]]> Comment on Sites are like billboards not books by chronicler_Isiah http://boagworld.com/tumblog/sites-are-like-billboards-not-books/#comment-11723 chronicler_Isiah Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:44:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7461#comment-11723 I disagree as it depnds entirely on the client's business model and content requirement as to the type of site that best suits their needs.   The BBC for instance - would not want a purely  'billboard' site I don't think as it couldn't accommodate the rich drill-down of comments, blogs, reviews etc. They are very much a 'repository of information'.   Whereas for a self-employed photographer or designer say - the billboard option would be more the ideal.   Horses for courses I think. I disagree as it depnds entirely on the client’s business model and content requirement as to the type of site that best suits their needs.
 
The BBC for instance – would not want a purely  ’billboard’ site I don’t think as it couldn’t accommodate the rich drill-down of comments, blogs, reviews etc. They are very much a ‘repository of information’.
 
Whereas for a self-employed photographer or designer say – the billboard option would be more the ideal.
 
Horses for courses I think.

]]> Comment on Sites are like billboards not books by brendan murphy http://boagworld.com/tumblog/sites-are-like-billboards-not-books/#comment-11722 brendan murphy Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:13:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7461#comment-11722 Like this view point Paul, It is very true, but with the web now being developed on products like Wordpress, for client usability and this can be developed to be engaging on may levels.  But how would you describe this billboard development process, when we are clearly moving into "app" based design for many sites? You will know the figures that there are now more internet ready mobiles than board band users. Like this view point Paul, It is very true, but with the web now being developed on products like WordPress, for client usability and this can be developed to be engaging on may levels. 

But how would you describe this billboard development process, when we are clearly moving into “app” based design for many sites? You will know the figures that there are now more internet ready mobiles than board band users.

]]> Comment on I’m angry and frustrated by nattyman http://boagworld.com/working-in-web-design/im-angry-and-frustrated/#comment-11721 nattyman Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:37:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7412#comment-11721 This looks great Paul.  I am looking forward to reading the new book. This looks great Paul.  I am looking forward to reading the new book.

]]> Comment on Stop Using Stock Photography Clichés by ArenaCreative.com Stock Photos http://boagworld.com/design/stock-photography/#comment-11720 ArenaCreative.com Stock Photos Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:08:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=2778#comment-11720 Wow, awesome examples here how to use stock illustration and stock vector art effectively :)  Wow, awesome examples here how to use stock illustration and stock vector art effectively :) 

]]> Comment on Smart 404 by Yousaf http://boagworld.com/tumblog/smart-404/#comment-11719 Yousaf Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:33:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=6886#comment-11719 This is a great plugin!  http://www.elevatelocal.co.uk This is a great plugin! 

http://www.elevatelocal.co.uk

]]> Comment on I’m angry and frustrated by PauldeWouters http://boagworld.com/working-in-web-design/im-angry-and-frustrated/#comment-11718 PauldeWouters Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:01:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7412#comment-11718 not sure I understand your reply ;) not sure I understand your reply ;)

]]> Comment on I’m angry and frustrated by Chris Ruggia http://boagworld.com/working-in-web-design/im-angry-and-frustrated/#comment-11717 Chris Ruggia Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7412#comment-11717 For my part, helping clients is the primary source of fulfillment in my work. I have a very small studio in a very small town and for the most part I support very small businesses as my clients.  As you can imagine, my income is proportionally small compared to most agencies, but 90+% of my clients are sole proprietors who choose to work with me because they value what my design can bring to their business. That one-on-one relationship gives me the pleasure of seeing first-hand the difference my work makes to their bottom line, and the satisfaction of helping a friend to accomplish something they care about. For my part, helping clients is the primary source of fulfillment in my work. I have a very small studio in a very small town and for the most part I support very small businesses as my clients. 

As you can imagine, my income is proportionally small compared to most agencies, but 90+% of my clients are sole proprietors who choose to work with me because they value what my design can bring to their business. That one-on-one relationship gives me the pleasure of seeing first-hand the difference my work makes to their bottom line, and the satisfaction of helping a friend to accomplish something they care about.

]]> Comment on I’m angry and frustrated by Anonymous http://boagworld.com/working-in-web-design/im-angry-and-frustrated/#comment-11716 Anonymous Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:10:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7412#comment-11716 I have absolutely no problem with that choice. My problem is only when people those who choose otherwise. Cheers, Paul Paul Boag [ Web Guy, Writer and Polymath ] W: boagworld.com T: @boagworld M: 07760 123 120 I have absolutely no problem with that choice. My problem is only when people those who choose otherwise.
Cheers,
Paul

Paul Boag [ Web Guy, Writer and Polymath ]
W: boagworld.com
T: @boagworld
M: 07760 123 120

]]> Comment on I’m angry and frustrated by PauldeWouters http://boagworld.com/working-in-web-design/im-angry-and-frustrated/#comment-11715 PauldeWouters Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:03:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7412#comment-11715 There are more and more solo professionals in the web design industry. As a solo freelancer, client work is not scalable, you only have a limited number of hours per week, and so, your income is also limited. Creating alternative income streams is an important way to grow your freelance business without "becoming an agency" - which many don't want or can't do. An agency can absorb more work more easily than a freelancer. Web apps, WordPress themes / plugins provide these addition "passive" income streams which allow freelancers to grow their business when they can't absorb more client work. There are more and more solo professionals in the web design industry. As a solo freelancer, client work is not scalable, you only have a limited number of hours per week, and so, your income is also limited.
Creating alternative income streams is an important way to grow your freelance business without “becoming an agency” – which many don’t want or can’t do.
An agency can absorb more work more easily than a freelancer.
Web apps, WordPress themes / plugins provide these addition “passive” income streams which allow freelancers to grow their business when they can’t absorb more client work.

]]> Comment on Where is all the video? by Jason Neel http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11714 Jason Neel Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:22:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11714 Paul, I completely agree. As I said, video as supplementary content is wonderful. People should just be mindful when using video as a primary content format. That's the point I was trying to get across. Sorry if there was confusion about my original comment. Paul,

I completely agree. As I said, video as supplementary content is wonderful. People should just be mindful when using video as a primary content format. That’s the point I was trying to get across. Sorry if there was confusion about my original comment.

]]> Comment on Where is all the video? by Anonymous http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11713 Anonymous Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:01:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11713 I entirely agree with the sentiment that you cannot rely on video. However, equally that doesn't mean you cannot have it in addition. Cheers, Paul Paul Boag [ Web Guy, Writer, Speaker and Polymath ] W: boagworld.com (http://boagworld.com) T: @boagworld (http://twitter.com/boagworld) M: 07760 123 120 I entirely agree with the sentiment that you cannot rely on video. However, equally that doesn’t mean you cannot have it in addition.
Cheers,
Paul

Paul Boag [ Web Guy, Writer, Speaker and Polymath ]
W: boagworld.com (http://boagworld.com)
T: @boagworld (http://twitter.com/boagworld)
M: 07760 123 120

]]> Comment on Where is all the video? by Jason Neel http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11712 Jason Neel Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:58:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11712 I have always tried to keep the view of video as supplementary content for websites. When I visit a content heavy website, I want to be able to easily scan the pages for the content I am looking for, and that's not a very easy thing to do with video.  I also think that there are some accessibility concerns that haven't been sufficiently addressed that are holding back video as a primary content source. Certainly, the number one thing is the resources required to send the video to the user. A user must have a much higher quality connection to be able to download video compared to images and text. Bandwidth is certainly an issue when dealing with non-'desktop' contexts. You also must consider the resources needed to store those videos as well. I think Rachel brings up a good point about the environment of the user viewing the video. It requires much more of a specific environment to view multimedia content compared to content served as simple text and images. You also have the issues of captioning or transcribing video, which can be a hassle. Captioning and transcribing videos is not only necessary for those who having hearing disabilities, but also when done properly would help aid in SEO and indexing your video content, which is another pitfall of relying too much on video without these features. The problem I have with this is two fold: this requires a significant procedural overhead, and there is no real standard way of doing captioning/transcribing efficiently.  I have always tried to keep the view of video as supplementary content for websites. When I visit a content heavy website, I want to be able to easily scan the pages for the content I am looking for, and that’s not a very easy thing to do with video. 

I also think that there are some accessibility concerns that haven’t been sufficiently addressed that are holding back video as a primary content source. Certainly, the number one thing is the resources required to send the video to the user. A user must have a much higher quality connection to be able to download video compared to images and text. Bandwidth is certainly an issue when dealing with non-’desktop’ contexts. You also must consider the resources needed to store those videos as well.

I think Rachel brings up a good point about the environment of the user viewing the video. It requires much more of a specific environment to view multimedia content compared to content served as simple text and images.

You also have the issues of captioning or transcribing video, which can be a hassle. Captioning and transcribing videos is not only necessary for those who having hearing disabilities, but also when done properly would help aid in SEO and indexing your video content, which is another pitfall of relying too much on video without these features. The problem I have with this is two fold: this requires a significant procedural overhead, and there is no real standard way of doing captioning/transcribing efficiently. 

]]> Comment on Where is all the video? by Rachel Reveley http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11711 Rachel Reveley Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:33:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/tumblog/where-is-all-the-video/#comment-11711 Video is great but user's don't always want to watch a video. They may be in an environment where they can't play sound either because they're sat on the sofa with the TV on or in an office and can't be bothered to dig out the plugs.  It would be interesting to see some testing done on sites with video versus sites with text, though the ideal would certainly be to have both on the same page. Video is great but user’s don’t always want to watch a video. They may be in an environment where they can’t play sound either because they’re sat on the sofa with the TV on or in an office and can’t be bothered to dig out the plugs.  It would be interesting to see some testing done on sites with video versus sites with text, though the ideal would certainly be to have both on the same page.

]]> Comment on Icons as fonts by Heydon Pickering http://boagworld.com/tumblog/icons-as-fonts/#comment-11710 Heydon Pickering Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:40:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=7391#comment-11710 The latest development is to use specialised unicode characters to represent the glyphs. Incidentally, I offer two free / royalty free sets that you are welcome to extend (so long as you rename the resulting set!). These are available on font squirrel: http://www.fontsquirrel.com/foundry/Heydon-Pickering The latest development is to use specialised unicode characters to represent the glyphs.

Incidentally, I offer two free / royalty free sets that you are welcome to extend (so long as you rename the resulting set!).

These are available on font squirrel: http://www.fontsquirrel.com/foundry/Heydon-Pickering

]]> Comment on Why you will regret using Vimeo. by Anonymous http://boagworld.com/reviews/vimeo/#comment-11709 Anonymous Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:02:00 +0000 http://boagworld.com/?p=2744#comment-11709 I have absolutely no problem with that IF they communicate that clearly and IF they implement it consistently. Cheers, Paul Paul Boag [ Web Guy, Writer and Polymath ] W: boagworld.com T: @boagworld M: 07760 123 120 I have absolutely no problem with that IF they communicate that clearly and IF they implement it consistently.
Cheers,
Paul

Paul Boag [ Web Guy, Writer and Polymath ]
W: boagworld.com
T: @boagworld
M: 07760 123 120

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