Posted in Computers & Tech / Designing / Web Design and HTML
Author: 8ennett Total-Replies: 3

I just thought I would share my views and opinions on this topic as there are some things that are really starting to annoy me.

With the amount of people using the internet dramatically increasing as the price of computer hardware drops we are starting to see many companies in the private sector trying to either create an online presence or increase their online visibility using web pages that are not only beautifully designed but also full of feature-rich dynamic content.

This has given rise to a number of software applications being released that are designed to improve the speed and performance of developing web content. Because of the creation of this software, professional developers are now able to speed up the design process while using their own libraries to develop the dynamic content. However, this freely available software has also given rise to the amount of amateur web developers out there.

Just to clarify how I classify the rankings of amateur, intermediate and professional web developers.

1. Amateur web developers are those whose skills and knowledge of web development are severely limited, maybe they are new to the area or just haven't bothered increasing their skill levels. These people generally do not or have not worked in the web development area before and have little to no idea of the real work that is involved.
   
2. Intermediate developers are those who have taken it upon themselves to continue learning about the different areas of web development but only work part-time/in their spare time while working other jobs. Although they are more knowledgeable about what they are doing, they are still relatively slow in their work and do not rely on their skills to support themselves and/or their families.
   
3. Professional web developers are people who have been studying web development for many years and have the highest levels of skill. They are able to complete projects much faster than the previous two and to a higher standard both visually and dynamically. A professional is proficient in both all security techniques and especially cross-browser support.
   

Now amateur web developers are not what bother me, I think it's great that so many people are getting in to this area. People are able to create their own personal web sites and improve their skills to becoming intermediate and possibly one day professionals. What does bother me is the amount of amateur developers out there who underbid contracts for companies in the private sector.

Some prime examples of this are outlined below. These examples are in fact REAL, the contracts were ones I had placed a bid for myself and lost due to amateur underbidding however later was either approached to take the contract away from the winning bidder or employed to work along side the winning bidder.

1. A small telecommunications company were looking to completely overhaul their current site. The site had practically no dynamic content and contained nothing but contact information and a list of packages available which was updated through editing the html document. The contract called for easily updated site content (including packages, special offers, news and announcements etc.), a search feature which was linked to their customer database (the phonebook basically) and several other features as well. I put in my bid for the contract at £5,000 with an estimated work time of 8 weeks. I was underbid by an amateur who put in £1,500 over 4 weeks. I was contacted around 5 months later and was asked if I was available to work on the project with the winning bidder as they had still not finished the project. I agreed and came in only to find that the site was not even half written (not including the visual aspect of the site). I told the company to get rid of the guy immediately and to stop paying him £1,500 a month. I then told them I woluld have to start again from scratch and because of the urgency of the project due to the time lost I increased my bid to £3,750 per month and estimated 8 weeks. They agreed and I undertook the project, finishing it within 4 weeks to which they were so relieved they paid me for the 8 week estimate even though it was finished in half that time. Before I recommended getting rid of the amateur we worked together for a few days and he told me that his only experience was messing around with his friends website and most of the code was modified snippets off the web. He had lost his job with some accountancy firm and saw the advert so thought he would give it a shot.
   
2. I was underbid for a contract involving a simple creation of websites for several primary schools (elementary schools for the americans out there) within the local councils area. It was a simple job, with the proper photographs and logos I put in a bid of £500 and estimated a weeks work in my spare time. The winning bid was for £100 with no time estimation. The finished interlinked websites were completed after about 2 months and although they looked ok, there really wasn't much to them at all, I found it hard to believe a html only website could take that long. Anyway the council seemed satisfied with the work and use that experience to dictate future web development needs. They had a rather extensive contract out about a year ago, designing a council website which required a large amount of dynamic content linked to several databases and tonnes of individual department information pages. The job I would have estimated to be around 14 weeks of work and personally would have bid around £8,000 for those 14 weeks. They advertised the starting bid (don't forget development bids go down) at £500 a month which I later found out was at the recommendation of the developer who took the schools contract. That developer took the contract as well, from what I understand they are still building the website after a year and have had to get a second job.
   

So not only are these amateurs taking away work and money from real web developers, but they are also giving the world of web development a bad name. Because they constantly underbid contracts, the private sector are beginning to think that the work isn't really that difficult. Let's face it, who considers flipping burgers to be difficult? And how much do they get paid as a result? Well it works the other way around as well. I have put in for contracts in the past that have been very reasonable offers for my skills and services, and some of the people who have put that contract out there have been in shock. Because of their experience with amateurs in the past they laugh me right out of the building then wonder why they end up with a website that needs constant maintenance and is in essence sh**.

Employers wouldn't be so naive IF there weren't so many amateurs out there trying to undersell the web development field. But because the number of amateurs applying for these jobs far outweigh the number of professional and intermediate developers combined then it really is a big issue and is putting many professionals out of business or forcing them to work other jobs. The only real hope any of them have is to be signed on as a full time member of staff with a company. If you are unable to do that then your hopes of success in the field of web development freelancing are slim to none.

Does anyone else have problems with this, or have any views or opinions they wish to express on this matter?

Posted in Computers & Tech / Networking
Author: Ahsaniqbal111 Total-Replies: 5

Almost all web-developers like their websites to be hosted by professional hosting companies that provide high end services. But some also like some additional space where they can experiment, test new stuff, and improve their skills. For this they prefer something that may sacrifice some stability and other high end features but be easy on the pocket.

One solution for this is hosting your own web server. Most people nowadays have a spare computer and internet connections are present everywhere. In addition, server hosting operating systems are also very easy to get. The learning curve is also not very steep and one can easily learn the basics within a few days. So, hosting your own web server has no become quite easy, simple and affordable.

However, personal computers are not designed for server uses. In addition to many connectivity limitations (that can be overlooked in many testing environments), personal computers are not designed to run continuously 24x7. They need some cooling down after a couple of days to make sure the parts keep performing and the life span is not reduced. To overcome this issue, I have an idea in mind but I don't have any technical skill to convert this idea into reality. (Maybe the idea I am going to present is already tested and has been unsuccessful or successful).

The idea is that instead of one computer, why not use two computers alternatively. Most modern computers have the ability to be automatically turned on and off at a specified time (from bios or use of software). So we can create a system where one computer is on at a specific time but after a certain period of time (say 24 hours) it turns off and the other computer turns on. This would make sure that there is always a computer on to maintain the server, at the same time providing proper (in fact more than proper) cooling time for both computers.

The problem with this idea is that how would you make the server settings so that it can run when either of the computer is on. The computers will be connected to the same network but both would have different instances of the OS and the server software running. I hope this is possible and quite easy to do but I really don't have any idea how to do this.

If this can be done, then people like me who have spare p4 desktops lying around and a reasonable internet connection can create a handy testing environment to test and improve their skills.

Posted in Free Web Hosting / *FREE WEB HOSTING REQUESTS / FREE WEB HOSTING : NEW ACCOUNT..
Author: java-area Total-Replies: 2

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I would like to request free web hosting from Astahost.
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1. Your Registered Domain Name or Desired Astahost Subdomain Name:
   
   
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2. Account Username:
   
   
   1. jarea
      
   
   
   
3. Introduction:
   
   
   1. My name is Anton.
      I am professional software developer. Basically in Java and Web.
      But I have some other interests: music, velo, traveling, walking to long distance etc.
      Also I write short fiction stories in Russian, but I can translate them to English and French.
      
   
   
   
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   1. prettyform13@yahoo.com
      
   
   
   
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   1. 30
      
   
   
   
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   1. Canada
      
   
   
   
7. My Websites Theme:
   
   
   1. Open-Source Java (technologies reviews, tutorials etc.)
      
   
   
   
8. Reason I Chose Astahost:
   
   
   1. Your account is free + no forced logos on Web site
      
   
   
   
9. How I Found Astahost:
   
   
   1. on my own in the Internet (google search)
      
   
   
   
10. My Previous Host:
    
    
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Posted in Free Web Hosting / *FREE WEB HOSTING REQUESTS / FREE WEB HOSTING : NEW ACCOUNT..
Author: Coach Total-Replies: 1

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I would like to request free web hosting from Astahost.
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1. Your Registered Domain Name or Desired Astahost Subdomain Name:
   
   
   1. coaching333.com
      
   
   
   
2. Account Username:
   
   
   1. Coach
      
   
   
   
3. Introduction:
   
   
   1. In 38 years of professional life, I have work in the areas of:
      - Industrial management.
      - Project development.
      - Logistic Management.
      - Organizational and systems development.
      - Financial management.
      - Planning and institutional development.
      - General management.
      
      Now my main objective is to start bringing coaching services, because I think it's the better way to help others on their personal development.
      
   
   
   
4. Email Address:
   
   
   1. alfonso_ugarte@terra.com.pe
      
   
   
   
5. Age:
   
   
   1. 67
      
   
   
   
6. Country Where I Live:
   
   
   1. Perú
      
   
   
   
7. My Websites Theme:
   
   
   1. Personal and spiritual coaching
      
   
   
   
8. Reason I Chose Astahost:
   
   
   1. The higth quality service that ASTAHOST offers
      
   
   
   
9. How I Found Astahost:
   
   
   1. Surfing on the web I found: http://www.free-webhosts.com/free-mysql-database.php
      
   
   
   
10. My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. Build to Learn
       
    
    
    
11. Reason For Leaving My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. Serious problems when login into the cpanel
       
    
    
    
12. Desired Hosting Package:
    
    
    1. #2: Regular Package
       
    
    
    
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Posted in Others / Introductions & Welcome (N..
Author: twitch Total-Replies: 5

Hello, I am Michael Land (or mik). I'm a 15 year old happy-go-lucky web designer, developer and spork manic. I have been in the design circles for about two years, but in the past year or so I decided to make a real attempt and my ambition is to one-day rule the world... or become a professional; whichever happens first.

My sense of humour is a little more ranged than some might imagine; most of the time I use sarcastic comments to make the misfortune of others look as a brighter thing. I can't stand mopes (people who a drag) and I dislike fruit and veg' just as much. Chips, they are the only veg' I will eat.

And yeah, I have been here before I moved to trap17, but I lost touch with myself and had too much to do to be worrying about hosting. But now I am back, and fully loaded... with rubbish.

Posted in Free Web Hosting / *FREE WEB HOSTING REQUESTS / FREE WEB HOSTING : NEW ACCOUNT..
Author: PoddarWeb Total-Replies: 1

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I would like to request free web hosting from Astahost.
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1. Your Registered Domain Name or Desired Astahost Subdomain Name:
   
   
   1. poddarweb.astahost.com
      
   
   
   
2. Account Username:
   
   
   1. poddar
      
   
   
   
3. Introduction:
   
   
   1. Web Designer and Web Professional. Internet Surfing. E-Commerce and Database Management.
      
      
   
   
   
4. Email Address:
   
   
   1. poddarinfotech@gmail.com
      
   
   
   
5. Age:
   
   
   1. 50
      
   
   
   
6. Country Where I Live:
   
   
   1. India
      
   
   
   
7. My Websites Theme:
   
   
   1. Web Development & Web Designing
      
   
   
   
8. Reason I Chose Astahost:
   
   
   1. I found it as one of the best free host provider with no forced ads.
      
   
   
   
9. How I Found Astahost:
   
   
   1. MSN Search Engine
      
   
   
   
10. My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. cabspace.com
       
    
    
    
11. Reason For Leaving My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. Some features not supported
       
    
    
    
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    1. #1: Starter Package
       
    
    
    
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Posted in Computers & Tech / Designing / Web Design and HTML
Author: suicide Total-Replies: 5

Hello All,

I am very new to this site, and even to web development.

I was given a task to make a site using html(and anything I am intrested in). This site would have a common template along all the pages in it.

Now what I want is, Is there any way to define a template using HTML.

If yes how?

If no, what is the other easiest option for it. I dont like to code the sanme stuff in all the pages. Is there any way of data reusability.

I thought of some other way, like making a page with the template(that continues through all the pages in site) and calling that page in each and every page, I made that page, but I dont know how to call that page in all my pages,

Could anybody help me?

Thanks for your help.

Posted in Computers & Tech / Software / Content Management Systems (CM.. / PHP-Nuke
Author: wwheeler Total-Replies: 7

I currently use it on my web site, as I am at work too much during the day to really do a bang up website, and when I can it will change.

but, is there anything specific you would like to know about it....

It is simple to administer, and most of the features that you likely to need are right on the administration screen.

I feel that I can't emphasise this enough, as soon as you install it, click the link on the site that says something to the effect of create a global administrator account now. If you don't you will allow anyone that sees that link to control the content of your site.

As for the features it has, some of the many follows:
(At least on my version, which I had to Download. Not sure about the bundlwe that come from Astahost)

1. Forums
   
2. FAQ
   
3. Bookmarks
   
4. Private Messages
   
5. Recommend Us
   
6. Search
   
7. Sections
   
8. Statistics
   
9. Stories Archive
   
10. Submit News
    
11. Surveys
    

There is another feature called modules. This feature allows you to download chunks of code, and insert new features into your website. Like a Randowm Quote script that I run on mine...

If there is anything that you would like to know that I haven't mentioned, juist post it here....

Posted in Free Web Hosting / *FREE WEB HOSTING REQUESTS / FREE WEB HOSTING : NEW ACCOUNT..
Author: shahidiimran Total-Replies: 1

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   1. shahidiimran.astahost.com
      
   
   
   
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   1. logic
      
   
   
   
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   1. I am Student of computer engineering and working in a software house as software developer also....
      
      
   
   
   
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   1. Pakistan
      
   
   
   
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   1. Personal/Educational Stuff
      
   
   
   
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   1. Free and Professional community
      
   
   
   
9. How I Found Astahost:
   
   
   1. Friend told me
      
   
   
   
10. My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. NONE
       
    
    
    
11. Reason For Leaving My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. NONE
       
    
    
    
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    1. #1: Starter Package
       
    
    
    
13. Additional Comments:
    
    
    1. Give me the space now, i had applied many times but everytime i m getting some problem,
       
    
    

I have read, understand, accept, and agree with the Terms Of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, and The Forum Rules:
YES, I Agree!

Thank You,
shahidiimran

Posted in Computers & Tech / Designing / Web Design and HTML
Author: pbolduc Total-Replies: 16

I was just interested to see who many members are professional web designers or if they only work on their own site.

Posted in Computers & Tech / Software / Graphics & Web Design
Author: Citezyne Total-Replies: 11

ok I’m kinda new to the whole web page making thing and iv been teaching myself to use Front page... man it sux iv never used a program that is so bugged and so hard to use in my life its a disgrace, so now I’m on the hunt for a good and free webpage program something that is as cool as dream weaver but is very easy to use and so on is there anything that anyone could offer me

Posted in Free Web Hosting / *FREE WEB HOSTING REQUESTS / FREE WEB HOSTING : NEW ACCOUNT..
Author: QBRADQ Total-Replies: 1

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I would like to request free web hosting from Astahost.
Please find my application below.

1. Your Registered Domain Name or Desired Astahost Subdomain Name:
   
   
   1. skare.astahost.com
      
   
   
   
2. Account Username:
   
   
   1. skare
      
   
   
   
3. Introduction:
   
   
   1. Hello! My name is Norman Bradley Lancaster, I am 21 years old, and I live in eastern Oklahoma. I have been programing for nearly a decade now, mainly in compiled languages. Over the past year and a half, I have been getting into cross-platform scripted languages, and web applications development.
      
      I currently hold an MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) certification for Windows 2000 Professional. I am now pursuing a CompTIA Security+ certification, and plan to advance my Microsoft training to the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) level. I aim to one day become a network administrator for a major data warehouse, or a security officer in the governmental sector (possibly NSA).
      
      My biggest hobby is independent game development. I have made many demos over the years, and even considered pursuing a carrier in the industry. However, I decided that I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much if it were my responsibility to develop games, and that it would be best to keep it at a hobbyist level. Currently, I am developing a web-based strategy game called Skare (see comments).
      
      As far as getting to know me, here are a few key points that speak volumes:
      
      1)I have been using my handle “QBRADQ” since I was twelve years old, and have many articles of clothing with the handle printed on it.
      2)I picked up computer programming in the seventh grade because I thought it was fun, and I still do.
      3)I love a good LAN party.
      4)I played Quake: Team Fortress (the original Team Fortress MOD for the original Quake) on the competitive tournament circuit for nearly five years.
      
      In short, I am a computer geek and quite proud of it. I am also putting myself through school working in the auto-body repair industry, and am a hard, motivated worker.
      
   
   
   
4. Email Address:
   
   
   1. qbradq@gmail.com
      
   
   
   
5. Age:
   
   
   1. 21
      
   
   
   
6. Country Where I Live:
   
   
   1. United States of America
      
   
   
   
7. My Websites Theme:
   
   
   1. Web-based strategy in a fantasy setting
      
   
   
   
8. Reason I Chose Astahost:
   
   
   1. Free, feature rich hosting package with professional, production-grade paid service options.
      
   
   
   
9. How I Found Astahost:
   
   
   1. Google search
      
   
   
   
10. My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. www.100webspace.com
       
    
    
    
11. Reason For Leaving My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. Inadequate database quota (5MB)
       
    
    
    
12. Desired Hosting Package:
    
    
    1. #2: Regular Package
       
    
    
    
13. Additional Comments:
    
    
    1. As mentioned above, I am currently developing a web-based strategy game called Skare. This is the content I propose to put on your server. The Skare project is completely non-profit. The site contains no image content, and no download able files. It is completely text-based.
       
       The project is currently in a pre-testing development phase, and is not being promoted in any way. Alpha testing will begin once the basic feature set has been put in place, which should be within two months. During the alpha testing phase, testers will be recruited from my home town as well as the AstaHost forums (if permissible).
       
       Once the project has all of it's main feature set in place, the open beta phase will begin. This differs from a live production phase only in that I will be making frequent feature additions and modifications, as well as making balance corrections. This will also mark the start of active promotion of the site.
       
       Should this service become popular enough to place stress on the hosting server, I would like to set up some kind of paid hosting plan. Either an agreement for running your ads on the site, or paying you directly and running my own ads. Honestly I don't anticipate Skare to become that popular, as it is a personal project done for the experience and love of the genre.
       
       You can preview version 0.1.1 of the site here (hope it's OK to post that link, as I feel it is important to preview the content that might go on your servers). Currently, it features account registration, login, news system, game selection, and character creation. It is written in PHP, and uses MySQL databases as the data service.
       
       As the copyright notice implies, every stitch of code has been hand-written by myself.
       
       As a side note, I would be more than happy to place a “Hosted by” link in the top banner space for AstaHost. I feel it would be the very least I could do for such service.
       
       Thank you for your time, consideration, service, and excellent forum community.
       
       QBRADQ
       
    
    

I have read, understand, accept, and agree with the Terms Of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, and The Forum Rules:
YES, I Agree!

Thank You,
qbradq

Posted in Free Web Hosting / *FREE WEB HOSTING REQUESTS / FREE WEB HOSTING : NEW ACCOUNT..
Author: coolestindian Total-Replies: 1

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1. Your Registered Domain Name or Desired Astahost Subdomain Name:
   
   
   1. team7.astahost.com
      
   
   
   
2. Account Username:
   
   
   1. team7
      
   
   
   
3. Introduction:
   
   
   1. I am a student doing my grads in IT. I am presently developing a project in Java ME for end to end file sharing and free MMSing. I have floated a little company of my own which has 7 people in all, all friends. This website is to just provide and online presence to the company. As for my interests the include football, programming and driving. Hope to become the newest member of your community...
      
   
   
   
4. Email Address:
   
   
   1. coolestindian@gmail.com
      
   
   
   
5. Age:
   
   
   1. 20
      
   
   
   
6. Country Where I Live:
   
   
   1. India
      
   
   
   
7. My Websites Theme:
   
   
   1. Professional
      
   
   
   
8. Reason I Chose Astahost:
   
   
   1. Lots of recommendations, great package
      
   
   
   
9. How I Found Astahost:
   
   
   1. an SQL forum
      
   
   
   
10. My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. www.x10hosting.com
       
    
    
    
11. Reason For Leaving My Previous Host:
    
    
    1. PHPmyAdmin works erratically
       
    
    
    
12. Desired Hosting Package:
    
    
    1. #2: Regular Package
       
    
    
    
13. Additional Comments:
    
    
    1. Not Applicable
       
    
    

I have read, understand, accept, and agree with the Terms Of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, and The Forum Rules:
YES, I Agree!

Thank You,
team7

Posted in Free Web Hosting / Hosting Support & Help
Author: nightfox Total-Replies: 10


Yes. Dreamweaver is a professional WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) web page editor. You design your site then you upload the HTML (or PHP or whatnot) up to the server live on the Internet.

[N]F

sorry if it isn't clear.. I've had a rough day and I'm not in the best mood right now but I'm trying to relax a bit.