Web Design and Development

I’ve been happy using GoToMeeting, iChat and Skype but this looks like an interesting new option and I appreciate their use of open web standards.

Using only HTML5 and Javascript, the service syncs your browser window with the browsers of viewers whether they’re using IE6, Chrome, an iPhone or almost anything else. Transitions between images are super-fast and the service is a joy to use. It doesn’t include things like markup or native voice support (you’ll have to get on the phone) but for $15 per month, we think it looks like a great deal.

via Designers: Show Your Work Fast, Cross-Browser & Without Flash Using Black Tonic.

UPDATE: their broadcasting tech doesn’t use html5 (rww got it wrong…), which means Black Tonic works on more browsers now.

From an old friend… a great artist… and a great designer…

NOT ONE, BUT TWO PORTRAITS OF HUEY LEWIS, APPROXIMATELY 1983/1984

via DAN GOLDEN DESIGNS – THE DAN GOLDEN MUSEUM.

I suggest avoiding the word “welcome” on any Web site homepage. It’s a cliché and a missed opportunity to convey useful information about your firm. Spend time writing some brief copy — something slightly different to the about page would be appropriate to the home page. Also, “welcome” is an appropriate greeting upon first greeting someone but visitors to your homepage might come back again and again on one visit/day.

The first content anyone sees on your home page is the most critically valuable, for usability as well as SEO. Don’t ever bother welcoming anyone to your web site. That goes without saying. If I wasn’t welcome on your site, you wouldn’t have put it on the world wide web!

via The Top 5 Web Site Home Page Mistakes – Web Designers London.

7. Does your website have a strong headline?
Does your website simply say… “Welcome” in big letters at the top of your websites home page or does it say… “Who Else Wants to Discover The Secrets To ___?”

via http://bigsellingwebsitedesign.com

If there is more than one person tweeting for your company you might want to consider using this new software that adds many features to a company’s twitter-based branding efforts:

Multiple Accounts and Multiple Users

Manage up to five Twitter accounts through a single CoTweet login. Invite colleagues to join your accounts to work as a team representing your company on the front-line of your Twitter presence. Add your personal Twitter account and manage all your updating through one interface.

via CoTweet™ – How business does Twitter.

Google has begun to phase out support for Internet Explorer 6, the browser identified as the weak link in a cyber attack on the search engine.

via BBC News – Google phases out support for IE6.