All sites are hand coded html or php to ensure a robust, cleaner, search-engine friendly, faster loading site than those created in web development software packages, with clear navigation systems and bullet-proof security.
Using a Php 'includes' structure means that - for example - the menu links would be one file that is pulled in by every page throughout the site. Therefore the menu file is already loaded when you go to the next page so not only is that page faster to load, it also ensures that every page is consistent. If there were a link to be changed or added at a later date, every page picks up that change without fail and without the risk of one page being left out by mistake.
PHP, which stands for "Hypertext Preprocessor", is a server-side, HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynamic Web pages.
In addition to the very handy 'includes' method (described in the section above), PHP offers excellent connectivity to many databases including MySQL, Informix, Oracle, Sybase, Solid, PostgreSQL, and Generic ODBC. The popular PHP-MySQL combination (both are open-source products, and both we are happy to be able to offer our clientel) is available on almost every UNIX host. Being web-oriented, PHP also contains all the functions to do things on the Internet - connecting to remote servers, checking email via POP3 or IMAP, url encoding, setting cookies, redirecting, etc. It is a fantastically versatlie programming language and the Internet would be a mere shadow of itself without it. It is a far more complex language to code than HTML, and so you will find not every web designer can offer this to you; in fact a specialised Php programmer can commend fees of £200 per hour or more (I'm in the wrong business!!)
The MySQL database has become the world's most popular open source database because of its consistent fast performance, high reliability and ease of use. It's used on every continent -- Yes, even Antarctica! -- by individual Web developers as well as many of the world's largest and fastest-growing organizations to save time and money powering their high-volume Web sites, business-critical systems and packaged software -- including industry leaders such as Yahoo!, Alcatel-Lucent, Google, Nokia, YouTube, and Zappos.com.
Not only is MySQL the world's most popular and robust open source database, it's also become the database of choice for ecommerce or catalogue sites, as a way for people to manage thier own content updating easily and as a backbone for a large number of features such as gallery management and newsletter mailing systems.
There are an increasing number of programming scripts available to present your images or promote your projects beautifully; Highslide, Lightbox, Picassa, Slider, Ajax and CU3ER to name a few.
Should you wish to upload and arrange your own images in multiple albums within a slick gallery system, present your portfolio of projects through a cool eyecatching slider or maybe just enhance a few choice photographs, in recent years developers have produced some amazingly sophisticated open source scripting thats really put the 'fun' in functionality. Webcat can integrate most open source scripting into your pages to produce some striking features to impress your visitors - take a look at the Gallery to see some fabulous examples. We owe a debt of gratitude to many skilled and highly alturistic individuals who invest hundreds of unpaid hours in creating some absolutely stunning effects with the desire simply to share with others, making our online world a far more friendly and beautiful place!
High quality imagery is without doubt one of the most important aspects of producing a top-notch professional looking site. Royalty fees used to take professionally produced photographs beyond the reach of small business or individuals. With the advent of gigantic lowcost stock libraries on the net this is - happily - no longer the case. A stunning stock photograph, video or vector image starts at only a dollar or two so there's absolutely no excuse not to litter your site with gorgeous pics to capture the imagination and present your services or product in the best possible light.
Istock.com have enough to choose from to keep us all looking classy for the next millenium, but dont take our word for it - why not check them out yourself?
Over the last decade or more it became apparent that many people require new or better hosting facilities along with thier new website and, of course, a domain name or two. Clients often have to rely on thier web designer to source these services and I have a wealth of experience in this field. Back in the mid '90's my training ground was with a close-knit national ISP (and TV Channel) run by a handful of highly innovative Internet experts so such matters have always been under my instant and complete control. So, for flexible unlimited bandwidth requirements and industry standard top quality Unix server facilities, MRI, Auto responders, mysql database, ecommerce, cgi and PHP scripting, unlimited data-transfer, high quality visitor stats, cheap domain hosting/parking or pointing, and of course ultimate flexibility under your own control WITH a staggering amount of facilities included, talk to me before you talk to anyone else!
It can be a nightmarish experience dealing with the larger hosting companies when things go wrong (and believe me they can go really wrong sometimes), I've been asked to rescue domains and websites on many occasions, and organise new hosting facilities for probably up to 90% of my clients.
Sadly it is not just the large companies that can prove difficult, there are many individual 'web designers' who rely on you not knowing the business and its frighteningly easy to find yourself in deep trouble, for instance your domain may not actually have been registered in your name! This can be a highly risky situation - if you cant prove in a court of law that you own your own domain, it can be snatched away from you (in the event of a disagreement with your designer) and there would be nothing you could do to protect yourself. By 'pulling' your domain these individuals have the power to destroy your business in a matter of days if you dont have your wits about you.
It is always in the forefront of my mind that you have the right to choose where your site resides, so I make sure you recieve the very best service tailored exactly to your needs at no more than reasonable cost and that everything is above board and entirely legal. You will know every step of the way what is happening and why, I go to great pains to make sure your online property is secure, and that you understand the processes involved. Flexibility, reliability and honesty are key - that is what I aim to provide along with my personal and expert support - so have no worries that you will ever need to talk to any foreign call centres, or that I would ever put your business in a position of vulnerability through your dealings with me. Please dont hesitate to ask for references from any of my past or current clients, your trust in me is my priority - and privilege - to honour at all times. My belief and respect in *Karma is fundamental in all my business dealings.
*Karma is a concept which explains causality through a system where beneficial effects are derived from past beneficial actions and harmful effects from past harmful actions, creating a system of actions and reactions throughout a person's reincarnated lives.
