About this Site - Coding & Design
This site was originally created on 27 February 2002. It serves two primary functions:
- to allow me to learn web-site programming and design, which I am teaching myself in my spare time
- to allow me to post my genealogical research interests and files.
It may, from time-to-time, serve other purposes as well.
Visitors will note these two main functions do not always work hand-in-hand. I do hope the genealogy files posted here will benefit as large an audience as possible. But, not all genealogists have the latest computer equipment with up-to-date web browsers. I do not fault anyone for that. However, I cannot limit my training in web design simply to meet the requirements of the ever-decreasing number of people still using outdated browser software. As the warning on the Welcome page states, this site is best viewed using the latest browsers. It can be viewed with older browsers but it won't quite format correctly. Fortunately, though, it is still quite legible both on-screen and in print.
Website Development:
I began teaching myself HTML in late February 2002 after a friend demonstrated the basics to me. Once I began creating my own pages, I decided to post my efforts to the world wide web for all to see. This allows me to become familiar with file transfer protocols, permits others to view my efforts and offer constructive criticisms and pointers, and exposes my work to a multitude of other browser types and resolution settings, again with the idea of attracting helpful comments.
I do not use any web design programs (visual editors) such as Front Page or DreamWeaver. My personal belief is that manual coding will better help me to learn and understand the basics of HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, Javascript, etc. For a beginner, the use of visual (WYSIWYG) editors does more to teach one how to use the software itself then the codes, functions, and processes behind it.
I use Notepad as an HTML editor. Graphics are created using Paint Shop Pro 7.04, although photos may be edited and modified using any number of programs. I am currently using Opera (version 7.54u2) as my default browser and maintain copies of Mozilla's Firefox (version 1.0.1), Netscape 7.2 and Internet Explorer 6.0 for design testing and various other purposes. I have also kept a copy of Netscape 4.7 on my computer so I can test code on an outdated browser. But for a few minor differences (namely Microsoft's continued refusal to conform to W3C standards), the latest browsers tend to display pages in an identical manner. Users of Mac computers, WebTV, AOL, and Yahoo may not see these pages as intended - I simply don't have access to those particular browsers for testing purposes.
My pages do incorporate some Javascript but only for functional purposes. I realize that many business networks and some personal users have disabled Javascript on their systems for security reasons. Doing so should not affect the appearance of my site - but may slow down the speed at which the pages load and remove some of the effects like the rollovers.
As I learn more of the concepts and functions of web design, regular visitors can expect to see changes in the site's lay-out. These may be barely perceptible or they may involve a major re-design of the entire site. Such alterations will not affect the genealogical material posted to the site.
My Internet Service Provider offers a limited (5 MB) amount of space, free of charge, as part of my basic connection package. Since this is a relatively small amount, I will be keeping the number of graphics and other files to a bare minimum. Therefore, the majority of the pages will be text-heavy, allowing me to upload significantly more data than if I included lots of photos, other graphics, or separate files (such as PDF, Word, GedComs, etc).
Web Design Resources:
My main reference book is "HTML for the World Wide Web, 5th Edition, with XHTML and CSS" by Elizabeth Castro. She does a wonderful job of both presenting the basics as well as providing information on more advanced functions and features. Beginners who may get confused by the references to XHTML and CSS may want to try to locate a copy of the 4th edition of her book, which concentrates much more on the basic HTML.
I use Cascading Style Sheets: The Definitive Guide (2nd Edition)" by Eric A. Meyer as my primary reference for CSS. I also use his book "Eric Meyer on CSS: Mastering the Language of Web Design" as a supplementary guide, especially when I need to reference working examples of CSS. Designed for intermediate to advanced users, it is a good follow-up to the basic CSS discussed in Liz Castro's book. This book has a companion website that provides all the projects, code, and errata. Eric Meyer maintains his personal website at Meyerweb.com. It contains links to his CSS Information page as well as his cutting-edge CSS design demos at CSS/Edge.
Just for fun, I enjoy stopping by the CSS Destroy website. The author has employed CSS to create some fascinating web-pages and web-design tricks. Unfortunately, those of you who use Internet Explorer will not be able to view the majority of his creations - you need a browser such as Opera to fully benefit from his work. However, Firefox, Mozilla, and the newest versions of Netscape will render most of the pages as they conform to the W3C standards for CSS (Internet Explorer does not). On a similar note is the CSS Zen Garden website. Although meant to showcase graphic arts in web design, its heavy use of CSS formatting provides another practical application for learning purposes. Again, the coding is W3C standards compliant which means Internet Explorer users will not be able to view the work as intended, if at all.
My reference for Javascript is "Javascript for the World Wide Web, 4th Edition" by Tom Negrino and Dori Smith. This book is now in its 5th edition, as reflected on the website. I would highly recommend any of the Visual Quickstart Guide titles from Peachpit Press for novice web designers.
A good on-line reference for both novices and more advanced programmers is the HTML Goodies website. It contains many good tutorials as well as tips, tricks, and free code for many of the neat format and design features that you've seen on the web but didn't know how to do.
Web Design Philosophies:
I try to learn as much about the various aspects of web design as practicable. As a hobby, I simply cannot dedicate as much time as I would like, to either instruction or practice. But, I examine and install new software, acquire third-party instructional texts, review a number of design-related websites, and attempt to practice what I have learned.
As my knowledge and skills increase, I will incorporate them into my designs. This personal site, as mentioned elsewhere, is the guinea pig for my experiments - much of what I have used in other designs appeared here first. When taking on a new project, I will often take the design requirements into consideration and, where possible, acquire new techniques in order to accomplish the goals. This makes each new design a learning experience as opposed to falling back on a single formula or variant thereof. Naturally, this increases the time necessary to complete a design but I feel it is well worth it if the new skills will serve me well in the future. With respect to commercial designs, this means I am forced to charge my clients for much less time than was actually involved. Obviously, I do my training and experimentation on my own time, not theirs. Again, though, I do believe it is worth it if I can acquire new skills and techniques.
One of the things I hate most about current design philosophy is the "cookie-cutter" approach to websites, especially commercial sites. Minor changes such as colour and personalized graphics may be incorporated to offer a "custom" look and feel but that goal is, in my humble opinion, rarely accomplished. It is the non-conformist sites that really grab our attention and impress us as visitors. Unfortunately, the business community refuses to acknowledge this. Instead of creating its own online niche, companies simply fall into the one or two left open by others. That is why CSS Destroy and CSS Zen Garden are so appealing - they demonstrate what can be done with a little effort and a lot of imagination.
My second complaint is the tendency of sites to lean towards a heavy reliance on Flash animations and other "glam" (or, as a friend of mine puts it, "frou-frou"). I readily admit they look wonderful and can perform functions that basic XHTML and CSS cannot. They do serve their purpose. However, I am often forced to question if the purpose was to showcase the clients' website and their products and services or if it was simply to showcase the designers' talents. Amateur designers fall victim to this as well - how many sites have you visited where some annoying music is playing in the background, large text in garish colours scroll constantly across the middle of the screen, or a picture of their favourite cat has been hard-coded to chase your mouse-pointer around the screen, usually obstructing the text and graphics that were the main reason behind your visit (and possibly the site, too).
My third complaint is the complexity that is added, often needlessly, to sites. Again, this is sometimes a result of the designer showcasing his or her own talents rather than allowing form to follow function. This complaint can manifest itself in a number of forms: large graphics, unnecessary animations, excessive and/or redundant coding, and complicated scripting (i.e., drop-down menus, complicated rollover functions, etc) that perform little or no useful purpose. To eliminate them would not detract from the site yet they are included nonetheless. Sometimes, these items can be accomplished through simpler means that require less time and computing energy to perform. For example, rollovers can be produced via CSS rather than sliced graphics and Javascript. Or, CSS can eliminate the need for a complicated nested-table structure even though it means outdated browsers may not render the page correctly.
My final complaint concerns the difficulty in navigating many sites. Menus are often hard to find and are not always reflective of the actual pages or contents they direct us to. Individual pages are hard to find as one must navigate through several layers of menus and sub-menus. Sometimes, the website contains pages that aren't even listed in the menu-structure - they can be located only through site maps or exhaustive searches of page content.
Anyway, to sum it up, my basic Web Design Philosophies are as follows:
- Form follows function
- Adhere to the K-I-S-S Principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
- Common interface within a site (single template)
- Simple navigation structure
- Easy to maintain
- Aesthetically pleasing
Web Design Portfolio:
Obviously, this personal site was my first design effort. It continues to be the most up-to-date of my websites. However, in order to save space, I have simplified the design considerably: thus, it no longer employs many of the techniques I have learned along the way. I have sacrificed form in favour of function which, in the grand scheme, really isn't all that bad...
In late 2002, I had the opportunity to work on my first commercial site. It was developed for my then employer, 3D Design Inc. The experience was rewarding. It was simple and straightforward, yet incorporated a couple of design features that were new to me at the time. And, it is always a little more demanding when you are designing to meet someone else's criteria and expectations. Unfortunately, they have since (Dec 2004) switched to a commercial site designer so my original design is no longer available for viewing.
In April 2004 I completed an upgrade to the New Brunswick Genealogical Society website. The primary purpose in the re-design was to "modernize" the look and feel of the site. Secondary considerations included a more efficient grouping of the various sub-pages and the ability to expand upon the site content while maintaining a consistent format and navigation system. The NBGS site was the first of mine to employ CSS to any great extent. It was also the first to use CSS to accomplish certain functions normally done with Javascript, since the use of Javascript and other scripting was not permitted by the site host. I continue to maintain the site in my role as NBGS Webmaster.
I recently completed another commercial design, this one for Shannon Security Ltd. The main criteria for this site were simplicity while maintaining a "professional" look and feel. It subscribes to my personal design philosophies of: common interface, ease of use and ease of maintenance. Both the XHTML and CSS are W3C standards compliant to maximize cross-browser compatibility. And, while designed for use with newer browsers, it will "degrade" properly in older browsers, maintaining navigation and content even though the appearance will not be the same.
My complete portfolio may be viewed on the Web Design section of my Services page.
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