Blog #12

Conditional Comments and Networking

Conditional comments are conditional statements interpreted by Microsoft Internet Explorer in HTML source code. Conditional comments first appeared in Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5 browser and are supported through at least version 8.[1]
Conditional comments can be used to provide and hide code to and from Internet Explorer.
There are two types of "conditional comment", downlevel revealed, and downlevel hidden. Examples of code and more info is available at WIKI.

Benefits of Using Conditional Comments

Conditional comments have certain advantages over scripting methods of browser detection.

Low client-side impact.
When a downlevel browser encounters a downlevel-hidden conditional comment, the browser skips over the HTML inside the comment, and the content elements are not parsed, downloaded, or rendered. This saves client machine resources.

No script required.
Conditional comments do not require scripting and DHTML, and when no scripting is used in a Web page, no scripting engine needs to be loaded. Conditional comments are processed during the downloading and parsing phase, so only the content that is targeted for the browser is actually downloaded. Conditional comments can be combined freely with other browser detection techniques.

Separate code from detection logic.
Using conditional comments, script logic can be separated into smaller and simpler segments of code, which are easier to maintain and understand. Plus, code segments are loaded only by the browser version for which they were intended.

Cross-browser.
Conditional comments have been around since Internet Explorer 5, but their use is not restricted to Internet Explorer alone. Conditional comments can be used to customize content delivered to browsers that support conditional comments and those that do not. Get more info right HERE.

Networking Tip: Web designers and copywriters have a lot in common:
We work with clients who need a website.
We help clients who don't know how to start a website.
We offer individual creative services. I know – obvious tip – but they have corporate clients who are willing and ready for referrals. If you don’t like networking or cold calling, copywriters do both with very successful results. Find some copywriters and ask them what kind of design requests they get from their clients. Start the discussion now and clients will follow. Additional specs can be found HERE.

Tid Bits

• Reminder: Marketing s a "social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and want through creating and exchanging products and values with others." This definition obtained at WIKI.


• Do not assume; ASK! #14--Don't think the colour is right on your screen.. it's not, check a reference. More listed at Funny.


• Quote to live by""What garlic is to food, insanity is to art." -- Unknown

Useful Web Sites

• Throughout my posting process I am constantly researching and coming across many links that are helpful and even some that are not. In addition to your own research it is also a great idea to ask fellow designers about what sites they like to visit as well.
  
  
  



• The first one Jesh had mentioned in our reference list earlier; Methodologie. This site is pretty sweet because it shows you web canvas sizes and the percentage of people that can see in each size. This is a cool tool to check out for our upcoming new website.



• Another site he mentioned that will be helpful for our Photoshop layout is 1st Web. This is a site that has a list of the 90 New and High Quality Photoshop Web Layout Tutorials. Crazy sick knowledge at your fingertips folks!

In Other Graphic Design News

This first site I found while looking for the latest and greatest in Graphic Design. It is an article that was published after interviewing 20 designers. It sums up how these designers charge their clients. Its interesting to find out how different designers charge.

For you photographers out there I came across a site that has some interesting tutorials and information that you might find useful. DPS or Digital Photography School has interesting articles on How to photograph a rainbow, composition tips and photo challenges. I highly encourage checking it out just for fun.

A lil side note: If you are interested in some Thanksgiving wallpapers just visit this site.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!