Design
BACKGROUND
The sites I design are based upon an open-source web-based utility called Wordpress.
WordPress has been around for a number of years and has now developed – with WordPress v. 2.9.1 – into a highly systematic approach to web design and content management.
It is the same general site structure used for many custom-built sites that may cost much more.
MODERN WEB DESIGN
Gone are the days of table-based layout with embedded attributes, separate files for each page and a quotation based on the number of pages required.
Modern web sites are based on a single template, which can support an indefinite number of pages and posts at the click of a button.
Wordpress incorporates, as standard, a sophisticated, content management system.
Each site can support numerous ‘widgets’ (additional applications), which add functionality to the site – e.g form mailing, picture management, on-line sales.
The templates can be custom built, using a programme like Artisteer 2 (retailing at a standard $49.95 or $129.95 for the professional version) or you can download ready made templates from the web either for free or at a given fee. Downloaded templates can then be tweaked to give them an individual character.
DESIGN TOOLS
For picture management:
This utility is completely free and can be downloaded from the Internet. It not only allows you to view and organise your photographs in a wide range of formats. You can also crop, resize and touch-up your pictures. One of its most useful features is batch processing, which allows you to change the format or size of a number of pictures at once.
If you want to base your site colour scheme on particular colours a picture, Color Cop will allow you to measure the Hex value of preferred colours for import into other picture management programmes like Photoshop.
While Next GEN Gallery for Wordpress is quite convenient to use, you may prefer Jalbum for some purposes. Jalbum comes with a flexible interface and a range of skins/templates. It automatically downsizes your pictures and sorts them into albums ready for uploading to your site. Jalbum is free, though you are asked to make a voluntary contribution to development costs.