Afterthoughts of Development: Looking back at web site development.

Having developed several personal web site projects, I sought to approach this new venture in a similar manner. Before laying out a new project I begin with a blueprint. In said blueprint I decide what should be included, how it will be included, and what path the overall project should take. Once I have a general outline established, I can then structure the main site, which will be the focal point of the entire project. With a foundation established, constructing the frame and format of the site comes together with ease.

Having designed sites for many years by hand, I have found that using Macromedia Dreamweaver is an effective and efficient tool. It allows an user to visually layout the page, switch over to HTML if need be, or view both at the same time within a split framed screen. For the most part, I prefer using a visual layout display. However, when including particular items such as the slideshow on the main page, I prefer using standard HTML code. There are times when old methods work as well if not better than new methods. Using HTML code works when you need it to work.

Problems come and go. In this particular project, the problems were few and far between. Generally I have had problems with layouts. Layers would not line up. Pages that looked good on one browser or one screen would look totally wrong on another. Several months ago, I discovered an useful tip that has since changed said problems. Rather than using layers to establish the layout, I have switched to using tables. Tables allow one to establish a general layout that can include numerous entities throughout one page.

I sought to incorporate embedded PowerPoint slideshows within my web site. However, I discovered that unless one wants to spend a great deal of money on a program, there are very few options for those seeking to embed presentations at little to no cost to the user. It would have been much cleaner to incorporate the slideshow within a particular page. However, the cost does not outweigh the desire.

Web site projects require patience. One must take his or her time; establish a foundation and work from the ground up. Once the main site is outlined, the following pages will follow like placing one foot in front of the other.