Blog
The Doublespark blog is the place to discover what we’re up to. Read our posts to see what we’re currently working on, what or who’s inspiring us and other inside stuff from all our Doublespark locations. We blog in refreshingly non-geeky technical language and will - from time to time - post tutorials and other useful web design and SEO information on this page. You can subscribe to our RSS feed by clicking here.
Google Adsense: All About Ad Placement
If you happen to have a website and want to generate income from it using Google adsense, it would be wise to determine how you place your ads.
Can Directory Maximizers Really Drive in Traffic?
For people who want to get traffic in a hurry, some pay third party companies in directory submissions. Some charge a reasonable rate, sometimes at 4 cents per directory and considering that there are a large number of directories on the web today, it is bound to escalate.
Read more … Can Directory Maximizers Really Drive in Traffic?
A Closer Look at Web Accessibility
Last time I posted about the importance of web accessibility. I mentioned how other users, aside from the disabled and partially disabled, could benefit from web accessibility. As a web designer though that is not very familiar with web accessibility you should realize that there is a pretty wide range of disabilities to address including.
Web Design Book Review: Don’t Make Me Think
No I’m not trying to wiggle my way out of listing the best web design books. The post title is actually the title of one of the best web design books anyone can read - Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug.
Authoring Tools: Choosing the Right One for Your Design Needs Part 3
The last two posts gave the following factors when considering the most appropriate authoring tool when designing a website and/or e-learning tool.
Read more … Authoring Tools: Choosing the Right One for Your Design Needs Part 3
Authoring Tools: Choosing the Right One for Your Design Needs Part 2
Media and File Support - Make sure that the authoring tool you plan to use support the file types you also plan on using. For the most part if you’ll be using common image file types such as .jpg and .gif you shouldn’t have a problem with this. However, if you plan on streaming video and audio on the website/e-learning software you are developing then you’ll automatically be able to narrow down your choices since only few authoring tools offer support for such file types.
Read more … Authoring Tools: Choosing the Right One for Your Design Needs Part 2
Authoring Tools: Choosing the Right One for Your Design Needs
To make sure that you get the most out of the authoring software you use you must first be able to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Read more … Authoring Tools: Choosing the Right One for Your Design Needs
Automated Authoring Software: The Good and the Bad
Benefits of automated authoring tools:
- Programming-free authoring and publishing - Uses easy to learn and use WYSIWYG editing
- Time saver - Automated processes makes content translation faster and everything else faster, which results in saved money and earlier release of product to the market.
- Cost reduction - The in-house production/development of e-learning materials and websites using such tools can be significantly lower than hiring a development team.
- Quality assurance - Automated editing processes ensures that process steps are taken.
- Easier collaboration - Some automated software allows for real-time multi user collaboration.
- Results in documentation consistency - By automating documentation processes you can be sure that you’ll get more consistent and timely results.
Read more … Automated Authoring Software: The Good and the Bad
Automated Authoring Software: Introduction
Automated authoring software have been getting bad publicity from web designers and some people think that the reason behind this bad vibes is simply that these tools are displacing web designers. While it is true that there are people that now use automated authoring tools to “design” their own websites there is still no dearth of web design clients.
Usability Considerations: Help Files Continuation
Aside from pages with downloads other web pages where help is appropriate include:
- gaming sites - A help page where game information including the goal, rules, and instructions is needed for any website with games. Shortcut keys should be explained and a legend for icons given.
- online shops - A help page where people can find everything they need to know is important. However, due to the nature of the site the help pages for online stores are often subdivided into different topics including FAQ, product details, security issues, etc.
Read more … Usability Considerations: Help Files Continuation
