With so many computer terms and definitions being thrown around in regards to web and graphic design things can sometimes get a little bit confusing. Below you can read some of the basic terminology GWD uses when describing it's web and graphic services. Let us know if there is anything we've missed and we'll be sure to add it to the list!
Domain Name
To have a web site you must first own your own domain name (example: www.tradingpost.com or www.mybusiness.com ) A domain name must be purchased through a domain registry company and is not a free web development service. Many domain names are already owned or taken by various parties already so to purchase a name you must also check for its availability. If a domain name is available it can be purchased for a fee that ranges in price from various companies.
Web Hosting
This concept can be confusing at first so to put it in simpler terms web hosting in the online space you purchase to hold or store your web site. To build a house you need land to put it on, to create a web site you need space to "host" it. The amount of web space you are permitted to own will vary based on the price you are willing to spend as well as the service rates of a particular hosting company. There are thousands of web hosting companies in North America alone so do your homework on which company can offer the best ratesl.
Note:To have a web site you must own BOTH a domain name and your own web hosting space. One cannot work without the other and both are necessary to operate your site.
URL
A URL is the full web site link you enter into your Internet browser when bringing up a particular web site. For example, to bring up the GWD web site you must enter the complete URL http://www.gammawebdesign.com . Purchasing a domain name allows you to own a certain URL name but the actual URL itself refers to the actual link/text you enter into a Browser. Simply entering gammawebdesign.com or gammawebdesign is NOT a complete URL. A URL is the fully functional link one inputs to get into or bring up a web site.
Uploading
In order to place your web site online you must first upload the HTML pages onto your web hosting space. This requires the help of an FTP (a program which transfers files from your computer onto your web hosting space) and the process itself is known as uploading. Uploading can take anywhere from mere seconds to several hours based on your connection speed and the size of your files. Most regular web sites can be uploaded in a matter of minutes.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
An FTP is a form of software used to transfer files from your computer onto your web hosting space. You can download an FTP program free of charge through many web sites such as www.smartftp.com or www,cuteftp.com. Consider an FPT a phone line between your computer and your web hosting space that connects the two together. Once your web site has been uploaded the FTP is no longer needed.
Internet Browser
Your Internet Browser is the program or system your computer uses to surf the Internet. The two main browsers used by virtually all computer users today are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator ( with over 90% of the public using Explorer). When you click on the familiar "E" icon on your desktop this is a quick link that opens your Internet browser for use.
Optimizing
Optimization refers to the process of editing images or graphics for your web site with the intent of making file size smaller. The smaller the file size of an image or graphic the less time it will take to load. Professional and amateur web developers are often separated by their ability to properly optimize graphics and maintain good loading times for their site. Optimizing is done through image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and allows web developers to increase or decrease the DPI of a particular graphic.
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
DPI refers to quality of a particular image or graphic. DPI represents how many dots of color per inch a particular image has, with more dots indicating a higher level of quality. Web site images only require a level of 72 DPI or less for good results whereas images for print material usually require at least 300DPI . The larger the DPI an image has the larger it's file size will be.
Note: If you plan on providing your own graphics for print material such as posters or flyers the images should be at least 300DPI to print properly.
Screen Resolution
All computers have the ability to change their screen size or resolution when displaying its content. Some computer users prefer their screen size to be bigger and easier to read while others prefer a smaller screen size so more information can be displayed. The two most common types of screen resolution for web design are 800 pixels by 600 pixels or 1024 pixels by 768 pixels. Most web developers try to ensure the web sites they design look best in one of these two screen resolutions.
