Hello

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I've just joined the forum, so here's a quick email to introduce myself.

I'm a freelance programmer, and web developer, working with my wife (her graphic design skills are better than mine). Our website is http://www.justsoftwaresolutions.co.uk . I've been programming as a hobby for nigh twenty years, and commercially for twelve.

Most of my programming is done in C++. I tend to use PHP for websites, though I've also used Delphi and C++ for complex website backends. I'm a stickler for the HTML and CSS standards, and abhor websites that are browser specific, or require a browser plug-in to use --- I think websites should be usable from text-only browsers. Of course JavaScript and Flash can be used to enhance the user experience, but requiring them is just restricting your potential audience.

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Hi Anthony and welcome to webdigity

I guess it is very rational to write in php after C. The coding style is very similar.

BTW I saw your site, and I think you need a redesign. The look of it is very old style.

BTW I saw your site, and I think you need a redesign. The look of it is very old style.

Interesting. I'm intrigued as to what makes you say that. It's true that the site doesn't use Flash or AJAX, or anything like that, but it's not trying to be a showcase design or an entry for CSS Zen Garden.

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Well this is not the review forum, but I will try to give you some leads

1) Your site has nothing to do with the sea, so I guess the whole theme is irrelevant
2) The menu bar is a little dark (black with brown is not working well here)
3) The overall design is too simple

BTW hope you understand that I am criticizing for a good reason

In my opinion as you are not the kind of design guy, you could use a wordpress installation with some ready to run template. There are hundreds of them and they are free too.

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 I'm a stickler for the HTML and CSS standards, and abhor websites that are browser specific, or require a browser plug-in to use --- I think websites should be usable from text-only browsers.

Says the man who site uses tables for layout Welcome to webdigity

Well this is not the review forum, but I will try to give you some leads

I didn't ask for a review; I was just responding to your comment. I know that some of our clients have chosen us over our competition because they liked our website.

1) Your site has nothing to do with the sea, so I guess the whole theme is irrelevant

True, but I think it makes the site more pleasing to the eye. Software doesn't really lend itself to any particular graphics.

2) The menu bar is a little dark (black with brown is not working well here)

That's fair. When I next update the design, I'll think about the text colours.

3) The overall design is too simple

Simple, yes. Too simple? I guess that's a matter of taste. I prefer simple designs to more complex ones; it makes it easier to read the content.

BTW hope you understand that I am criticizing for a good reason

Constructive criticism is always welcome; thanks for the comments. "Your site needs a redesign" is not a very friendly way to welcome someone to a forum, though.

In my opinion as you are not the kind of design guy, you could use a wordpress installation with some ready to run template. There are hundreds of them and they are free too.

I'm well aware of Wordpress and the free templates available; I happen to prefer the look of our site as it is.

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I'm a stickler for the HTML and CSS standards, and abhor websites that are browser specific, or require a browser plug-in to use --- I think websites should be usable from text-only browsers.

Says the man who site uses tables for layout Welcome to webdigity

Are you thinking of someone else? The only table in the main content of my website is on the publications page, where it is used for a table. The Google sitesearch in the sidebar uses a table for layout, but that's code from Google, not mine.

I stand by what I said, and really don't approve of using tables for layout.

Code:

<table border="0" bgcolor="#918C78">
<tr><td nowrap="nowrap" valign="top" align="left" height="32">

<br/>
<input type="hidden" name="domains" value="www.justsoftwaresolutions.co.uk"></input>
<label for="sbi" style="display: none">Enter your search terms</label>
<input type="text" name="q" size="31" maxlength="255" value="" id="sbi"></input>
</td></tr>
<tr>

<td nowrap="nowrap">
<table>
<tr>
<td>
<input type="radio" name="sitesearch" value="" checked id="ss0"></input>
<label for="ss0" title="Search the Web"><font size="-1" color="#000000">Web</font></label></td>
<td>
<input type="radio" name="sitesearch" value="www.justsoftwaresolutions.co.uk" id="ss1"></input>
<label for="ss1" title="Search www.justsoftwaresolutions.co.uk"><font size="-1" color="#000000">www.justsoftwaresolutions.co.uk</font></label></td>
</tr>
</table>

Sneaky things tables they just sort of hide around corners

your right it is Googles code, but the point stands why do you use it if you want to be standards compliant

your right it is Googles code, but the point stands why do you use it if you want to be standards compliant

Now that's a better question. I don't have an immediate answer to that one except that I wanted the feature and that's the code that Google supplied.

Thanks for giving me a kick about this --- I'll think about changing it.

your right it is Googles code, but the point stands why do you use it if you want to be standards compliant

Incidentally, the code still validates so it's technically standards compliant --- it's just not a desirable use for a table 

Incidentally, the code still validates so it's technically standards compliant --- it's just not a desirable use for a table 

What validates? the w3c validator shows quite a few errors (oke maybe not on your table use but your page is far from standards compliant )

Oh and welcome to webdigity!

Incidentally, the code still validates so it's technically standards compliant --- it's just not a desirable use for a table

What validates? the w3c validator shows quite a few errors (oke maybe not on your table use but your page is far from standards compliant )

Gah! I should have checked before posting that. I really thought the page was compliant, and did validate. I'll have to fix it now!

OK; the page validates now, and doesn't contain the tables for sitesearch either.

Thanks for spotting the problems, guys.

Yes looking good now!

If you want to hear some nitpicking, I'd say make it validate as HTML 4.01 strict or XHTML strict. Whats that transitional anyway? Sounds to me like 'we are working on getting it right, but we just haven't figured it all out yet...'

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welcome Anthony!

nice place here or not?

about your site (design), I think it's basic because you're using "times" as font face. In the first moment people think about websites from years ago.

I'm a web developer too and not a designer, but I know that customers checking our websites and I'm almost sure they like the website with modern style elements and colors much more. Check the designs here http://www.webdigity.com/cssGallery/

I'm not saying this right or wrong, but imagine how much software companies invest a lot into good looking websites (and boxes)

hehe see come to webdigity say hello it's like meeting the lions and announcing your for dinner

Welcome Anthony albeit by fire of baptism to webdigity!

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... and don't worry we are not that bad

Welcome on board!
Im new here as well, but you now.., here i found friendly mates around!

yea, and check cssGallery!!! I found a lot of interesting for myself, probably you will like something as well

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