W E B
P A G E D E S I G N
Unlike earlier Internet and on-line communications
systems, the web system generates a display similar
to a newsletter. The display can have embedded color
pictures and logos, proportional type spacing,
different size type, type effects such as bold
or italic, and even different
"paper" or background designs. However, it
is not currently possible to do many sophisticated
print techniques such as different type fonts,
kerning, wraparound text, etc.
The effects and page layout design are controlled
by a programming system called Hypertext Markup
Language (HTML). The HTML codes are mixed with
the text portion of the information to be displayed.
Pictures, logos, and art, in digitized form are kept
in separate computer files until transmitted to the
browser and displayed. HTML is being continuously
extended to provide more and better effects.
In contrast to a print newsletter, details of the
actual appearance of a web display are somewhat
dependent on the particular hardware and software
used by the viewer. AZINET designs pages to display
well on a variety of viewing systems.
Web pages can have hypertext links which
are specially marked portions of text or images. When
the viewer selects the link with a mouse click,
another page or image is displayed. The new page can
have yet more links. The browser has a "back
up" button for returning to a previous page.
A web "page" can be longer than one
physical page but is loaded (with its embedded
images) by the viewer software as one operation.
Normally, the browser displays the top of the page
and can then be manually scrolled down the page.
The "home" page is the normal point of
entry and is the "default" page that will
be displayed if no page address is given (e.g.
http://azinet.com/yourcompany/). Home pages normally
have references to several other pages that can be
selected and loaded by a viewer mouse click or can be
directly accessed by viewer address entry (e.g.
http://azinet.com/yourcompany/page2.html). Any page
can be linked to any other page or even to a page on
another site.
Customer text for use in web pages being designed
by AZINET should be supplied on computer diskette in
any common word processor format. Alternately we can
manually enter text or use our scanning equipment to
input text directly from clean printed copy.
Unlike print media it does not cost extra to
publish full color graphics on the internet. Graphics
imbedded in web pages can be photographs, logos, or
art items.
Many viewers are connect to the internet with a
slow modem so the sizes of graphic files need to be
limited to allow for a reasonable download time. Also
keep in mind that some studies indicate that as many
as 15 percent of viewers currently "turn
off" graphics entirely. As modems and computers
improve, larger and more complex graphics will reach
a larger audience.
Graphic data is transmitted to the browser in
compressed digital form from the server. AZINET uses
a scanner to convert the graphic into a digital disk
file. The scanner accepts color or b/w hard copy
which should be at least 3 X 5 inches but no more
than 8 X 10 inches. (The size of the picture to be
displayed can be adjusted as necessary after
scanning.) We recommend that only relatively small
photographs be imbedded on pages to reduce display
time. Additional, larger or higher resolution images,
can be provided for transmission at the option of the
viewer if desired (e.g. "Click here to see a
full size image").
Logos and artwork generally can be somewhat larger
than photographs if desired.
As inexpensive and fast graphics capable printers
proliferate, an increasing number of viewers will
want to print paper copies of web pages for later
study, especially if the content is complex such as
product descriptions. AZINET designs your pages in a
manner ensuring good appearance on a black and white
printer.
The web system allows the use of on-line,
fill-in-the-blank forms which can be used for
ordering, questionnaires, surveys, requests for
additional information to be mailed, requests to be
put on mailing list or e-mail list, etc. Programming
to create and process forms is substantially more
complex than for non-form web pages. Forms have a
"submit" button which causes the viewer
supplied information to be sent back to the server
where it can be recorded and/or transmitted to
another location by e-mail. AZINET can design and
program on-line forms to meet your needs.
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