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Design Principles
Web Style Guide, 2nd Edition (Patrick J. Lynch and Sarah Horton, Yale University)
Public access. The public has access to the HTML version of the book,
Web Style Guide: Basic Design Principles for Creating Web Sites,
Second Edition (2001). Links are provided to files that are associated with the content sections of each chapter (i.e., Front Matter; Process; Interface Design; Site Design; Page Design; Typography; Editorial Style; Graphics, Multimedia, and Back Matter).
Technology
Tutorials (Link-to-Learn
Professional Development--Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
Link-to-Learn, Pennsylvania Department of
Education, provides several tutorials related to the creation and
use of technology for teaching and learning. The following resources are
recommended:
Webmaster Resource Center
(Bravenet Web Services, Inc., Parksville, BC, Canada
Public access--ad-supported. Access articles, tutorials, reference
documents, scripts, tools (e.g., information window generator), clip
art, and much more.
Color Palette
Non-Dithering Colors (Lynda Weinman [formatted
by Joe Burns]; Jupitermedia Corp., Darien, CT)
Browser-Safe
Colors by Hue--RGB numbers are included (FrontPages Web
Hosting Network, St. Louis, MO)
Browser-Safe
Colors by Value--RGB numbers are included (FrontPages
Web Hosting Network, St. Louis, MO)
HTML
color names and HEX values (Refsnes Data, Norway)
Colors supported by newer versions of Internet
Explorer and Netscape
Table with Hexadecimal
Colors (Angela's Place, Germany)
Reference-Color Codes (WebMonkey; Lycos, Inc., Waltham, MA)
Image Capture and
Editing
SnagIt
(screen capture--edit and organize) TechSmith Corporation, Okemos, MI)
Windows 9x, NT, Me, 2000, and XP
Commercial. SnagIt includes multiple screen capture options, and SnagIt Studio allows users to edit images from a list of over 20 file formats, including those commonly used by Web site developers (e.g., .gif, .bmp, .jpg, and
.psd). The November 2003 version of SnagIt includes an add-in feature for Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Outlook, and Adobe FrameMaker.
ScreenPrint32 (Provtech Limited, United Kingdom)
No cost for home use, nonprofit or charitable organizations, and K-12 and postsecondary education (a registration is required)--commercial options are available; Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, and XP
Features:
- capture a desktop screen, active window, predefined area, or user-selected area to the [Windows] clipboard
- paste a captured image into an application (e.g., Microsoft Word or graphics program)
- save captures in .gif, .jpg, .bmp, and .png formats
- image annotation options (e.g., headers, footers, time stamps, etc.)
- change the size of images, or convert them to grayscale or negative image
- uninstall option
FrontLook Screen
Capture (DPA Software, Waukesha, WI)
Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, and XP
Commercial--a 15-day trialware option. A screen capture utility for an active
window or a screen area. Captured images can be saved, encrypted, zoomed,
printed, or transferred through electronic mail. (Note:
FrontLook Screen Capture is optimized for FrontPage users; however, the
FrontPage application does not need to be installed.)
Additional [commercial] Screen Capture and Editing Utilities
- Capture Express (Insight Software Solutions, Inc., Kaysville, UT)
Windows 9x, NT4, Me, 2000, and XP
- CaptureEze Pro (Application Techniques, Inc., Pepperell, MA)
Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, and NT4
Image Creation
and Management
NetStudio Easy Web Graphics (Net Studio Corp., Mountain View, CA)
Windows 98, NT, Me, 2000, and XP
Commercial. NetStudio is an application for Web site developers who need a range of graphic design options. Users can create common Web site components (e.g., buttons, banners, navigation menus, backgrounds, etc.) and advanced features such as customized sites and templates.
The following are available
to create Web site graphics:
- Microsoft Word--Drawing:
Main Menu>View>Toolbars>Drawing
- PowerPoint--Drawing:
Main Menu>View>Toolbars>Drawing
- Microsoft [Operating
System) Drawing Program: Start>All Programs>Accessories>Paint
Easy
Thumbnails (Fookes
Software, Geneva, Switzerland)
Freeware--no nags, ads, or spyware; Windows 9x,
NT, Me, 2000, and XP; software file format, .exe or .zip
Easy Thumbnails has reduction algorithms that accurately scale
images from a number of files types, for example: .jpg, .png, .tif, .tga,
.emf, .ico, .wmf, .bmp, and others. Thumbnail functions include: file
selector, slider controls, rotate options, quality controls, group
processing, and image viewer. Users can quickly render images for Web
sites, presentations, and other viewing options. Note:
Patent restrictions
prohibit the formatting of .gif files and some .tif files without a fee
paid to Unisys--check the Web site for patent expiration dates by
countries.
Refer to Image Editing (ZDNet.com, CNET Networks, Inc.) for a current list of utilities related screen capture, graphics,
photo editing, thumbnails, and other image-related tools.
QuickTime (Apple Computer, Inc.,
Cupertino, CA)
Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP; Macintosh 8.6 or later
The no cost version of QuickTime
includes periodic reminders that an upgrade to QuickTime Pro is available.
For Web site developers, QuickTime for PCs
includes Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, which allows you to: 1) view and
enlarge pictures or graphics; and 2) identify graphic properties (e.g.,
width and height in pixels, and resolution in dots-per-inch [dpi]) through a
right-click on the Viewer window).
Graphics Resources
Clip
Art and Media (Microsoft Office Online)
Criteria: a)
Microsoft Office System 2003, which includes Clip Organizer; b) Clip
Organizer, which is included with the 2002 versions of Word, PowerPoint,
FrontPage, Access, and Excel); or c) Clip Gallery, which is included with the
2000 versions of Word, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Access, Excel, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Office 2001 for Macintosh.
Files
from a collection of over 135,000 clip art images, sound, photos, and
animation can be used for personal and professional Web sites, and Office
documents. Use the directory structure or search system to find appropriate
graphics or multimedia.
Note
1. An ActiveX control module is used to copy and paste, or download
files to the Microsoft Clip Gallery or Clip Organizer. The temporary or
permanent installation of an ActiveX control requires administrative right
associated with Windows XP (or similarly configured PCs).
Note
2. A separate EULA (End-User License Agreement) applies to the transfer
and use of files within the directory, Clip Art and Media, Microsoft Office
Online.
Free Clipart (Bravenet Web Services, Inc., Parksville, BC, Canada)
Ad-supported--public domain clipart. Use the directory structure or query the database to find clipart related to the following: alphabets, backgrounds, banner parts, banners, bullets, buttons, dividers, flags, icons, maps, sidebars, signs and symbols, textures, and Web elements.
Realm
Graphics (Ender Design, Inc.)
Public access. The Archive Topics section includes free graphics for:
advertising banners, backgrounds, bullets, buttons, icons, lines, and
design sets. This site includes graphics that can be used within business
and personal Web sites.
Google Images [search] (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA)
Typically, the Google Images search system returns multiple images for each query. Most images
have an associated copyright, therefore, they cannot be used without an authorization from the author or copyright holder.
Note: Images identified through this search system can
serve as a guide for creating graphics through a standalone graphics program
(e.g., Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop) or the drawing modules within Word and PowerPoint.
fOUR
bEES--Free Web Graphics (Larry J. Rivera, Covera)
Public access. Review and save graphics within clearly identified directories (i.e.,
background and borders, bars and bullets, button, and banners). Note: Most
graphics are in .gif format, which is suitable for most Web sites
(although some Web sites use .jpg or .bmp graphics).
Barry's
Clip Art Server (ArtToday, Inc., Tucson, AZ)
Ad-supported. A portal with multiple directories for free clipart, including animated
graphics. Use the search option to quickly identify clipart images.
Links are provided to internal directories and other sites with
clipart, templates, animations, and software.
Clip-Art.com
(ArtToday, Inc., Tucson, AZ)
Ad-supported. A "clearinghouse" or database with links to
approximately 200 clipart sites with free and commercial options. Note:
Some sites linked from within this
clearinghouse have aggressive pop-up ads--alternate sites are available
if these ads interfere with your research.
Animated
Graphics
Note:
Contemporary professional Web sites developers tend to eschew the use of
animated graphics (except for sites with ads or marketing information).
Nevertheless, traditional animated graphics remain as a design element within
some personal Web sites.
FlashComponents.com
(ArtToday, Inc., Tucson, AZ)
Commercial--monthly, semi-annual, or annual membership options. Use a flash editor (e.g., KoolMoves or Linx Flash Editor) to customize .fla (source or project) files that can be downloaded from an extensive collection. A Flash editor or the original application (i.e., Macromedia Flash MX) can reformat .fla files into .swf (small Web format) files for Web site "movies." Web site visitors must have an up-to-date Macromedia Flash Player (or browser add-in) installed to experience these .swf files. Many animations at FlashComponents.com can be included within PowerPoint or Dreamweaver (without using an editing application).
Dorrets
Animation--Animated GIF Archive (Harry and Dorret Goodwin)
Use the alphabetical lists within several directories (e.g., animals;
directions, words, computer equipment; earth, moon, sun, weather;
holidays; people and body parts; transportation; and miscellaneous) to
evaluate over 3,000 royalty-free, but copyrighted animated GIFs
for non-commercial use. (If
you can imagine it, you’re likely to find it at this site.)
GOgraph
(Visicom
Media, Inc., Brossard, Quebec, Canada)
An ad-supported Web site with international graphics that can be used for
business and personal Web sites. Use the directory structure or search
engine to find static and animated graphics for non-commercial use
within Web sites, reports, or multimedia projects. Graphics with no
author are royalty-free or in the public domain; therefore, they can be
used for commercial projects. For additional information regarding the
use of authored graphics for commercial projects, refer to the Usage
Policy.
Animated GIFs for Free
(Webdeveloper.com, Jupitermedia Corporation)
An alphabetical directory
system is used to organize animated GIFs by subject. These
GIFs are free for non-commercial use.
ClipArtConnection.com
(ArtToday, Inc., Tucson, AZ)
Ad-supported.
A well-organized directory provides access to a variety of free animated
clip art.
Analysis of HTML
Files
W3C
MarkUp Validation
Service
This validation service allows you to have specific files (URLs)
evaluated, and you may upload HTML file from your computer for
evaluation. See also:
Dr.
Watson (Addy & Associates)
A free service that may be use to analyze various HTML functions (e.g.,
syntax, link verification, spelling, etc.) for each URL within your Web
site. A detailed report is generated. Note:
This service (i.e., Dr. Watson) is not associated with the
utility within the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Check Your Site (Craig Cecil, Software Engineer, Lockheed
Martin)
Public access--some identified services have commercial options. A site with multiple HTML validation, and link and
spell checkers (e.g., W3C's HTML/XHTML and CSS Validators, and
NetMechanic). Link directly to the original provider or paste your URL into the
service-related field within this directory.
Link Checker (SiteSolutions.com, Online Fulfillment Corp., Roseville, CA)
Public access. Type or copy-and-paste a URL into the online form and determine if a file on a Web server has malfunctioning [hyper]links.
Web Page Validation (W3Schools, Refsnes Data, Norway)
This validation service includes an evaluation for HTML, XHTML, XML, and WML
files.
Weblogs
(and similar options)
Note.
Weblogs (or "blogs") have transcended from a medium for personal "diaries" into the domain of professionals who share and exchange information. In 2003, Weblogs have become a common communication medium for leaders in business, information technology, education, and individuals involved in public advocacy. Therefore, Weblogs provide student and professional counselors with an alternative or adjunct to managing content-related Web sites.
Radio UserLand
(UserLand Software, Inc., Acton, MA)
Commercial--desktop application and a server account
UserLand can be used within an intranet or
to create a presence within the public Internet infrastructure. Userland is an application, which provides relief from creating content using HTML, and updating via
an FTP client. Its optional templates and automated features allow users to publish text, links, photos,
and documents with a minimum of time and effort. Radio Userland also supports RSS (Really Simple Syndication).
Blogger.com
(Pyra Labs--Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA)
No cost-- registration required--Weblog includes a link to Blogger.com
Blogger.com provides a Web-based and hosted solution for creating and managing a
Weblog. (Your Weblog can be integrated into your personal or professional Web site, if certain features are available from your Web hosting provider.) Users create or select a formatted template for publishing their
Weblog. Note: Service options and features at Blogger.com are expected to change based on its acquisition by
Google, Inc., which was announced in February 2003.
TypePad-[Personal] Weblog Service (Six Apart, Ltd., San Mateo, CA)
Commercial. The company best known for Movable Type, a server-installed application for online publishing, launched TypePad in 2003. TypePad account holders can post information and opinions, and link to other Weblogs, Web sites, and commercial products or services. (Some knowledge of HTML is helpful--post through a Web browser (Basic
account)--additional post options for Plus and Pro accounts include e-mail and selected mobile services.)
TypePad features include:
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A no cost 30-day trial (a credit card or online payment system is required)
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Hosted plans: Basic (1 account), Plus (up to 3 accounts), and Pro (unlimited number of accounts)
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TypePad features are different for each of the three accounts--a Basic account has fewer features, which include:
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Support Weblog post can include title, arrangement by categories (including dates or months), formatting options, ban IP addresses, and more
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Archive individual posts (by date or a monthly calendar with date links)
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Template management include an optimum number of customization and management options
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Typelists include link options related to your favorite books, songs, Web sites, Weblogs, people (blogroll) and FOAF (friend-of-a-friend) lookup
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(Photo Albums are included as part of TypePad Plus and Pro, but not a Basic account)
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Site management allows subscribers to create an about file, post the author's photo, create a list of links, and password protect your site
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System features include multilingual support, statistics (including visitor information), update monitor, and other options
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Technical features include CSS-based layout, XML syndication, secure login to your account, and advanced technical options
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The annual fee structure for a Basic TypePad account is approximately $50 USD (as of February 4, 2004)--this account has up to 50 Megabytes of disk space, and a maximum monthly transfer of 1 Gigabyte of data
Components of a Typical Blog Page and a links to a review of eight Weblog options (PC Magazine, December 30, 2003)
CityDesk (Fog Creek Software, New York, NY)
Windows 98se, Me, NT4, 2000, and XP; Internet Explorer, 5.5 or later preferred
Freeware, Starter Edition--50-file limit; commercial, Professional and Contributor Editions
The CityDesk application is a template-based solution for creating and managing a Web site. It also includes a Web editor, and an FTP engine for uploading your files to a Web server account. If "uniqueness" is not a high priority, and customers need mostly text on their Web site, this template-based application might offer a solution.
CityDesk has templates that support the creation and management of a personal or professional
Weblog, company lists (e.g., positions, training modules, etc.), electronic
newsletters, and daily updates to documents posted on the Web. This
application also is appropriate for information-based Web sites that include
regular updates.
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