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PUGly Web Sites

Posted on Aug 27, 2009 in Client-Designer Relationships, Web Site Design

PUgly? What’s PUgly and what does it have to do with web sites? PUgly is my own abbreviation for the descriptive phrase “Pretty Ugly” and the rest should be self-explanatory.  I will admit, I got the idea from another phrase that I heard that’s exactly the same except for one letter. I’ll leave figuring out that one letter to you because I can’t print it here. You can’t see me, but there’s a big evil grin on my face. Why Are We Talking About...

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Developers! We Need Valid Code! Pretty Please?

Posted on Aug 25, 2009 in Content Management Systems, On Wordpress, Web Site Design

If there’s one thing that’s in my Top 10 Pet Peeves (more like in the Top 3) it’s invalid code in themes, templates and plug-ins for CMS’s and blogging scripts.  This issue is not solely related to WordPress, I’ve had the same thing happen in every single CMS I’ve ever used. A good majority of the designers (me included) who use these pre-made products not only try very hard to have all their pages validate, but in cases like designing for the visually...

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My Love-Hate Relationship with WordPress

Posted on Aug 24, 2009 in Do It Yourself Web Sites, On Wordpress, Web Site Design

I’m not one of those people who openly sings the praises of WordPress. Like anything else, something great is never perfect and as popular and versatile as it is, it’s still not the ideal solution to every single person’s web design prayers. I don’t believe there is now or ever will be such a thing because it’s impossible for any one thing to meet 100% of everyone’s needs. Some people love it, others hate it and you can probably toss in a good number of...

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When a Client Wants What’s Not Good

Posted on Aug 21, 2009 in Client-Designer Relationships, Web Site Design

At some time or another, every web designer winds up with a client (or two or three) who wants something for their web site that just isn’t good for it.  Sometimes they really have their heart set on it and you hate to burst their bubble, but you really wouldn’t be doing your job if you didn’t at least present the problem(s) associated with whatever it is that they want. They’re paying the designer for their knowledge and expertise, but they’re going to have the...

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