Maintain Your Site with Page Include Files

Written by Larry Poch


Continued from page 1

Now when you add a new page or section to your site and want to add it torepparttar navigation bar you only have one page to edit. The changes will appear where everrepparttar 132797 SSI include page is called up.

Note: when viewingrepparttar 132798 source code ofrepparttar 132799 page whererepparttar 132800 script is called up,repparttar 132801 include page coding will appear just as written inrepparttar 132802 SSI Include file.

--------------------

3..Javascript Includes

The Javascript Include is very similar torepparttar 132803 SSI Include inrepparttar 132804 example above. The differences are inrepparttar 132805 wayrepparttar 132806 code on our javascript include page is written. For this example we will userepparttar 132807 same navigation bar code as used above.

Create a file in your text editor and includerepparttar 132808 HTML code forrepparttar 132809 navigation bar. We then add some javascript coding to each line ofrepparttar 132810 HTML code as well as opening and closing javascript tags. The code forrepparttar 132811 javascript include page will look like this:

Note: The page must begin with Each page line must begin with document.writeln(' Each page line must end with ');

Now saverepparttar 132812 page with a .js file extension, "bot_nav.js".

Now placerepparttar 132813 following code onrepparttar 132814 page inrepparttar 132815 location you wantrepparttar 132816 navigation bar to be rendered.

Javascript is a very sensitive language, but you can include most HTML or javascript coding onrepparttar 132817 page. Here are some things to watch for. 1..you can not include javascript that has to access another file to run. DO NOT includerepparttar 132818 tags inrepparttar 132819 .js file, they are included in repparttar 132820 location script code. 2..if your content contains a backslash "" it must be preceded by another backslash "". 3..if your content contains an apostrophe (') it must be preceded by a backslash ('). 4..the most common reasons for script error messages are extra space atrepparttar 132821 end of a line, or missing characters.

This isrepparttar 132822 same type of script used to syndicate content for use on other sites. But to code a long article or web design tip by hand would take some time. I used a CGI script called "Master Syndicator" that codesrepparttar 132823 content for me. The script is available at http://www.mompswebdesign.com/cgi-bin/prolinkz/pl.cgi?willmaster

Note: whether using CSS, SSI, or Javascript Include pages be sure to upload them to your site in ASCII mode.

Implimenting one or all three of these "Page Include" methods will make maintaining and adding to your site a lot quicker and easier.

-------------------------------------------------

Larry(Momp) owns Momp's Web Design and MWD News newsletter. In addition torepparttar 132824 web design service,repparttar 132825 site includes a web design reference library for webmasters.

Momp's Web Design: http://www.mompswebdesign.com/ MWD Newsletter: http://www.mompswebdesign.com/mwdnews.html Contact Momp: mailto:momp@mompswebdesign.com

==================================================

Larry(Momp) owns Momp's Web Design and MWD News newsletter. In addition to the web design service, the site includes a web design reference library for webmasters.

Momp's Web Design: http://www.mompswebdesign.com/ MWD Newsletter: http://www.mompswebdesign.com/mwdnews.html Contact Momp: mailto:momp@mompswebdesign.com


Steps of a Project for a Freelance Web Builder

Written by Rachel Goldstein


Continued from page 1

If your client is local, setup an appointment in order to show himrepparttar mockups. If you have a long distance relationship, I suggest using Fed Ex to shiprepparttar 132795 mockups to your client. Ask your client to sign off onrepparttar 132796 back ofrepparttar 132797 mockup that he likes. However, ifrepparttar 132798 client doesn't like any of your layouts, which happens torepparttar 132799 best of us, you are back torepparttar 132800 drawing board.

Once you get a layout that your client likes, you should rename your Photoshop file to reflect this and moverepparttar 132801 unused files into an "idea file". There is no reason that these unused mockups cannot be modified for your next client. Also, you should proceed to takedrepparttar 132802 unused mockup copies out ofrepparttar 132803 project's docket and leave behindrepparttar 132804 chosen mockups. I would suggest placing unused mockups in a binder for new clients to look at to see what style they like.

Now is when you will be glad that you have created your Photoshop files in layers. Duplicaterepparttar 132805 already existing file and make mockup files for inside pages as well.

10. OPTIMIZE IMAGES

Now that you have all of your pages laid out in Photoshop, it is time to cut outrepparttar 132806 images that you will use inrepparttar 132807 web page. A good rule of thumb is not to exceed 30K per page. Otherwise, your web page will take too long to load. Here area few more tips that you should follow:

1. Illustrations should be saved as a gif. 2. Photographs should be saved as a jpeg. 3. Keeprepparttar 132808 amount of colors in an image to a minimum. 4. Aliased images are smaller. 5. The more compression you apply to a jpeg -repparttar 132809 smallerrepparttar 132810 image.

11. PROTOTYPE IT

Take your printed mockups and Flow Chart. Place them by your side and use them in order to layout your page. Create your pages so that they are all linked together. The following tips will help you organize your files.

1. Place all images in an images folder. 2. Place every section of your site in a separate file. 3. Structure your directories to roughly match your Flow Chart. 4. Make sure that your file names make sense (It is a good idea to have a company code in front of each file. For example, for XYZ Company's About Us page, I would use xyz_about.html.). 6. Have an archiving system in place in order to backup your files. Name your files accordingly in order to link all of your html files together in order to create a working prototype thatrepparttar 132811 client can test.

12. TESTING PHASE

Before you sendrepparttar 132812 prototype to your client, test outrepparttar 132813 usability ofrepparttar 132814 site with friends that haven't been involved with this project. Write down all input that they can give to you - both good and bad. Also, try as many different browsers, plugins, and operating systems asrepparttar 132815 visitors are likely to use. Make sure to fix any problems that you find and make a mental note for further projects on what works and what doesn't.

After internally checkingrepparttar 132816 site, uploadrepparttar 132817 site torepparttar 132818 host server to test out access speed, plugins, and configurations. When you are sure that things are in working order, it is time to letrepparttar 132819 client test outrepparttar 132820 prototype site. There will likely be several things that your client won't like. Listen carefully to your client and make sure to give merit to all suggestions thatrepparttar 132821 client makes. Make sure to haverepparttar 132822 client sign off onrepparttar 132823 prototype in order to makerepparttar 132824 site live.

13. MAKE IT LIVE

Oncerepparttar 132825 testing phase is complete, it is time to makerepparttar 132826 site live. Cross your fingers and hope forrepparttar 132827 best. Inevitably, visitors will always find something that they aren't happy with. You should always give support to your newly launched sites for at least 2 to 4 weeks.

14. REVIEW AND INVOICE JOB

Now that you have completedrepparttar 132828 project it is time to fulfill your administrative duties. It is time now to review your time sheet. Add up all ofrepparttar 132829 columns to calculate total hours spent onrepparttar 132830 project. Break this number into how many hours were spent on each phase ofrepparttar 132831 project.

Make a copy ofrepparttar 132832 time sheet forrepparttar 132833 client and create an invoice to reflect your agreed upon hourly fee. Always referencerepparttar 132834 client's purchase order number on your invoice. Otherwise, many Accounts Payable departments won't pay your invoice. If your client has not given you a PO# then you should contact him to make sure that there isn't a PO# linked to this project. Include all necessary information on your invoice. I always includerepparttar 132835 following:

1. Your logo, name, company name, address, and phone number 2. Client's Contact name, company name, address, and phone number 3. Purchase order date (date job was ordered) 4. Invoice date 5. Invoice number 6. Payment terms (for example, net 45 days) 7. Break down of how many hours were spent on each phase ofrepparttar 132836 project 8. Add on expenses (Printing expenses - remember to add 10% - 15% markup)

Staplerepparttar 132837 purchase order torepparttar 132838 invoice. Make sure that your invoice is neat and professional and then send it out torepparttar 132839 client.

15. ARCHIVE THE PROJECT

Now that you are finished, you can userepparttar 132840 docket to archive this project. Rememberrepparttar 132841 black marker and label that previously was used to name your project's docket? You are now going to file your project by this number. In order to find this project easier, I suggest placing a filing tab on each docket. Place everything in alphanumeric order.

Make sure everything that belongs inrepparttar 132842 docket is there. Place all corresponding files on a Zip or Jazz disk and then place it inrepparttar 132843 project's docket. All administrative documents, such as invoices and POs, should be placed inrepparttar 132844 docket. Also, any printouts, emails, or notes that correspond to this project also belong inrepparttar 132845 docket.

16. EVERYTHING IS REUSABLE

You shouldn't ever reuse projects that are copyrighted by your client. However, portions of every project are reusable. For example, you wouldn't reuse a design that you specifically created for a client. But, you could reuse Photoshop paths or textures that you created.

You will find that as you complete more and more projects, each one becomes a little bit easier. As you start out in freelancing, use each project as a learning experience. Each project completed results in a more experienced and valuable freelancer. Good Luck!

Submitted by http://www.allfreelancework.com/ - Freelance Jobs

Article submitted by http://www.Allfreelancework.com - 1000s of freelance jobs, articles, and resources. Allfreelance is also host of creative portfolios. You have permission to copy this article ONLY if you include the following blurb: <===============================================> http://www.Allfreelancework.com - 1000s of freelance jobs, articles, and resources. <===============================================>


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use