Technical Matters

Notes on my approach to the technical choices involved in creating websites.

If you have any questions or concerns about my approach to your site, don't hesitate to e-mail me. I can be flexible.

I write my own HTML code in order to keep out unnecessary tags and other garbage that graphical web design tools typically put in. I focus on writing compact, clean and valid code.

HTML vs. XHTML, CSS vs. Tables

To reach a wide audience with a wide range of browsers, I generally write code to be compliant with either the HTML 4.01 Transitional standard or XHTML 1.0 Transitional. If desired, I can do XHTML 1.0 Strict, but the Transitional branches are handled better by some of the older web browsing software that is still in use; to reach more people, stick with Transitional for now.

I use Cascading Style Sheets to specify font styles and colors in order to reduce file sizes by avoiding repeated declarations of redundant information throughout each page. I generally don't use CSS as a replacement for table-based layout so that my page layouts will degrade well in older browsers. However, I can do all-CSS layouts if that's what you desire.

JavaScript

I believe strongly that visitors should not be required to have JavaScript enabled to use a site. Some devices do not support JavaScript, and many people browse the web without JavaScript enabled in their browser. Excluding them from navigating a site is a serious flaw in my opinion.

JavaScript can certainly be used to enhance a site's visual appeal (by enabling button rollovers and other eye candy) and perhaps to add inessential extra features within pages, but I work hard to make sure that visitors browsing without JavaScript enabled will still be able to use any and all buttons, links and other navigation tools.

Accessibility

If you wish, I can make sure your site meets the accessibility guidelines set down in U.S. Section 508. (These are design practices which seriously improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to access a site but which do not interfere significantly with able visitors' experience with the same site.) Non-federal sites are not required to follow these guidelines, but it is encouraged.

I can also code to the stricter guidelines of the W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Just be aware that following these guidelines may well require changes in your site's look and/or may make your site 'break' in older browsers.

Site Hosting

I've had very good experiences hosting several different sites (including this one) with Pair Networks; their prices are very reasonable for the levels of service, capacity and reliability that they provide. I act as a reseller for their services (so I can take care of all the details of signing up for webspace at no extra charge to you), but I can of course work with whatever hosting entity you wish to use.

Similarly, I usually register domain names with PairNIC; their prices are competitive, and their integration with Pair's hosting means that domain changes can be made entirely through the web with very little lag (unlike, say, with Verisign).

Interested? Contact me about your needs:

Steve Bogart
consulting@nowthis.com
703-850-7807

Suite 120, PMB 255
5810 Kingstowne Center Parkway
Alexandria, VA 22315

Résumé
References available upon request