Intermediate
SSH: It's really not that scary
by Megan McDermott, 29 October 2009 - 12:50am
For a long time, I avoided using ssh. As a designer, I thought it would be too complicated and difficult to learn. As it turns out, I was wrong! For the most part, ssh (and the shell commands needed to perform tasks) isn't that difficult to do. Being able to use SSH will make it easier and faster for you to perform many common tasks on your web server. Even if you're on a shared hosting account, you may be able to access your website using SSH (check with your hosting provider to find out).
How to create a multi-column, widgitized footer for Wordpress
by Megan McDermott, 13 June 2009 - 7:14pm
Multi-column footers are a big trend in web design these days. It's a great way to provide more information and links to visitors without cluttering up the top part of your layout. On content pages, this information appears just when the user has finished reading your article, leading them to find more great content on your site and other ways to interact. This article will show you how to make a 3- 4- or more-column, widgitized footer in Wordpress.
Using Grids in Web Design
by Megan McDermott, 28 April 2009 - 1:38am
Using a grid to define your page layout results in a more attractive, logical layout. A grid is simply a regular series of lines and boxes that define sections of a page. A solid structure makes layout decisions easier and helps create a pleasing layout.
21 ways to streamline your CSS
by Megan McDermott, 11 November 2008 - 7:57pm
These days, CSS development is a complex process. You may be working on sites with large CSS files, multiple developers ,and long development timelines. The more complex your CSS files become, the more difficult it is to work with them. This article will present some tips and tricks for keeping your CSS files organized and easy to work with.
3 Ways to Highlight Links to the Current Page with CSS
by Megan McDermott, 15 June 2008 - 3:44pm
Good usability suggests that you should always indicate links to the page the user is currently on. In fact, in an ideal case you wouldn’t link to the current page at all. On the other hand, in order to build a site that’s consistent and easy to maintain, navigation menus need to be either included with a separate html file or generated with a scripting language.
How to Design Graphic Mock-ups
by Megan McDermott, 1 June 2008 - 10:22pm
A typical stage in the web design process for most professionals is the creation of a graphic mock-up. A graphic mock-up or proof allows you to focus on the overall design rather than the logistics of creating the design using CSS. This article will outline the process of creating a graphic mock-up and include several examples for download.
Choosing the right doctype for your site
by Megan McDermott, 8 March 2008 - 5:11pm
Which Doctype should I use? This is one of the first questions people ask when they start using web standards. There are four main doctypes in use today. This artcile will firstly define what a doctype is and how it works, and then go on to explain the four types and help you to decide which one to use.
Web Standards > Validation
by Megan McDermott, 9 December 2007 - 3:16pm
Many programmers seem to think that complying with web standards means passing the validator. Validation is an important part of standards compliance but it is not the whole story.
Goodbye vBulletin, Part One: Reasons to Switch
by Liam McDermott, 3 October 2007 - 10:59pm
The aim of this article is not to poke holes, or say ‘vBulletin sucks’, but to provide constructive criticism of a successful product, proving that vBulletin is not always the best choice.
Divitis: What it is and How to Avoid it
by Megan McDermott, 15 September 2007 - 2:20am
When they start designing with CSS instead of tables, many web designers fall into the same trap. Instead of putting tables around everything on a page, they use divs instead. The underlying design practices remain largely unchanged.
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