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Nov 7

How a web page works

Posted on Sunday, November 7, 2010 in Web development tips

A web page is a text file that contains text and HTML tags.
HTML tags are simple instructions for a web browser.
A web browser is a program like Internet Explorer or Firefox.
It interprets these HTML tags to display your web page.

Here is the HTML used to show the above four lines in a browser:
<p>
   A <strong>web page</strong> is a text file that contains text and HTML tags.
   <br />
   <strong>HTML tags</strong> are simple instructions for a web browser.
   <br />
   A <strong>web browser</strong> is a program like Internet Explorer or Firefox.
   <br />
   It interprets these HTML tags to display your web page.
</p>

If you run an html file on your computer it will open in a browser. The address will point to the file on your computer. In order to make it available to others you need to place it on a web server. When it is run from there the address will point to the file on the web server.

Apr 10

Keep URL short to avoid clutter

Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Email tips, Web development tips

When you have a long URL like this, use a free online programs to shorten it.

http: //maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rlz
=1R1GGGL_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=0,0,16524608578225602546
&fb=1&hq=First+United+Methodist+Church,&hnear=Sioux+Falls&
gl=us&daddr=401+South+Spring+Avenue,+Sioux+Falls,+SD+57104
-4398&geocode=11229897772533571274,43.543439,-96.732758&
ei=e2q_S8-GI4X6lweC-s3jBg&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=directions-to
&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQngIwAA

With tiny.cc it becomes http://tiny.cc/gfucj or
http://tiny.cc/GoogleMapFirstUMC using customurl of GoogleMapsFirstUMC.

With bit.ly it becomes http://bit.ly/bfN8et or
http://bit.ly/GoogleMapFirstUMC using Custom Name of GoogleMapsFirstUMC.

See World Today – Business  for their Top 10 Free Short URL Redirection Services list.

Oct 23

PC finally back to how it was before malware

Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009 in Web development tips

Today I think I made the last adjustment needed to get my reformatted PC back to where I was before being hit with malware.

Oct 21

Almost like getting a new PC

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 in Web development tips

I finished rebuilding my PC tonight. With all the backing up in advance, it takes a day. And then you have to tinker until it is just like it was.

Oct 20

I've nothing good to say about malware

Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 in Web development tips

Wikipedia defines it well:

Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer without the owner’s informed consent.

Arrrrrgh!

Jul 11

Beware of domain name renewal letter

Posted on Saturday, July 11, 2009 in Web development tips

The other day I received a letter from Liberty Names (LN). They wrote to “remind [me] that it is time to renew [my] domain name which is expiring soon” and that “by moving [my] domain name to [LN] [I] can take advantage of the saving [they] have to offer.”

Don’t be fooled!

It is likely that your current domain registrar will email you 60, 30 and 15 days in advance. That is why LN sends their letter about 80 days in advance.

LN’s pricing is three times the rate where I currently have it registered.

Jul 6

double-u double-u double-u

Posted on Monday, July 6, 2009 in Web development tips

Being a web developer, I feel the need to comment on the common practice of pronouncing www when speaking of a website.

There is no need to say www when mentioning a website.
Just say, “Please visit my website at widgets.com.”

There is no need to use http://www or even www when typing in a browser.
Just type gadgets.com in the address bar and you will be shown the site.

There is no need to use www in print advertising. It only gives the reader more to read and memorize; especially a problem on an Interstate highway billboard.

Browsing for buywigglyworms.com is the same as BuyWigglyWorms.com. Uppercase is only used by advertisers to make it easier to remember.

When purchasing a domain name be aware that choosespain.com can be read as both Choose Spain and Chooses Pain, to use a G-rated example.