21.07.09
Flash websites – a new new age
Written by Robert Wild 
in Developing

Flash has been about since 1996, and has since built up a progression of uses and options for deployment, commonly to add animation or interactivity. The impact of flash on webpage (if done correctly) can give some lovely visual effects and really bring a page to life.

However it does have some down sides, before any design through flash can be achieved, you of course need the application, currently a new install of flash CS4 would cost around £620. In terms of a webpage, the flash content is completely invisible to search engines and visual impaired user tools (like screen readers), designers can get carried away with design and so file sizes increase rapidly, slowing down page load times and increasing server strain for busy sites.

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16.07.09
Search Engines Optimisation and Campaigns
Written by Robert Wild 
in SEO and SEM
Search Engines Optimisation and Campaigns

In the previous article I discussed the industry pirates and cowboys, in no other sector of the industry are these more common than search engine optimisation. To avoid any arguments or mud slinging, I am not claiming to be a SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) guru, I do not know everything there is to know about SEO. We work to best practices and proven results, we do not make unrealistic promises.

Maybe that's why this particular discipline is so bloated with cowboys? We are honest, we never make false promises or hopes. We are confident with our results, but how can anybody guarantee top results for the system which has no official documentation, no direct lines of communication and changed on an hourly rate?

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08.07.09
The Design Industry Pirates
Written by Robert Wild 
in Current Affairs
The Design Industry Pirates

I suppose with every industry you get cowboys and pirates, those who set out to deceive the customers and clients with mis-truths and reputations. I don't think the creative industry is exempt from this, however it seems the real cowboys lie and work within our own ranks. As an established studio in Derby, we like many others have years of experience to call upon for projects and business goals, this does not automatically qualify you for greatness, but does stand you in good company. This is not say an industry rookie is inept and not worthy of company, on the contrary the ideas and creativity of a green employee often exceeds those of the established team members.

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