Friday 13 March 2009
Internet Explorer 6 - Why Upgrade?
EC have noticed that 10-20% of our website users are viewing the site on Internet Explorer 6. With Internet Explorer 8 in beta stage (soon to be widely released), and other browsers such as Firefox or Chrome increasing in popularity, are there any benefits to using IE6 and why should you upgrade?
IE6 was originally released in 2001, and therefore in many ways the browser is 8 years out of date. Not only does this have an effect on the speed of browsing the Internet, the look of websites and website compatibility, but there are also major security issues. IE6 is still potentially only able to cope with with virus, malware and other security threats circa 2001-2003, and therefore it does not always have the capacity to deal with the modern, more complex threats that the newer browsers do.
Other criticisms of IE6:
• It does not support new web development technologies so web designers must use workarounds for IE6 to display web pages correctly, costing time and money in the process
• Any new websites not taking IE6 into account, may be displayed incorrectly or not work properly
• It tends to crash easily
• It takes longer to display webpages, as the software which takes HTML code and outputs it visually as a website is out of date
• It does not use tabbed browsing so a new window has to be opened for every website being viewed, and this may slow down the users' computer
• It does not 'anti-alias' text on webpages, which means fonts looked ragged at the edges
• It has always been very unpopular, and was voted the 8th worst technology product of all time by PC World in 2006
EC will continue to develop IE6-compatible websites until the software is obsolete, however if you agree with any of the criticisms, or are concerned about the security issues, it might be time to upgrade your browser:
IE7: www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx
(or through Windows Update)
IE8 beta: www.tinyurl.com/cwk87j
Firefox: www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox
Google Chrome: www.google.com/chrome
IE6 was originally released in 2001, and therefore in many ways the browser is 8 years out of date. Not only does this have an effect on the speed of browsing the Internet, the look of websites and website compatibility, but there are also major security issues. IE6 is still potentially only able to cope with with virus, malware and other security threats circa 2001-2003, and therefore it does not always have the capacity to deal with the modern, more complex threats that the newer browsers do.
Other criticisms of IE6:
• It does not support new web development technologies so web designers must use workarounds for IE6 to display web pages correctly, costing time and money in the process
• Any new websites not taking IE6 into account, may be displayed incorrectly or not work properly
• It tends to crash easily
• It takes longer to display webpages, as the software which takes HTML code and outputs it visually as a website is out of date
• It does not use tabbed browsing so a new window has to be opened for every website being viewed, and this may slow down the users' computer
• It does not 'anti-alias' text on webpages, which means fonts looked ragged at the edges
• It has always been very unpopular, and was voted the 8th worst technology product of all time by PC World in 2006
EC will continue to develop IE6-compatible websites until the software is obsolete, however if you agree with any of the criticisms, or are concerned about the security issues, it might be time to upgrade your browser:
IE7: www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx
(or through Windows Update)
IE8 beta: www.tinyurl.com/cwk87j
Firefox: www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox
Google Chrome: www.google.com/chrome
Labels: browsers, web design
Monday 9 March 2009
Are you a freelance web developer/programmer?
EC are looking for developers/programmers to work freelance for us on a number of varied and interesting web-based projects.
Freelancers should have:
- Excellent PHP and MySQL skills in order to build web applications and back-end website systems
- Experience developing websites within CMS frameworks such as Drupal or Joomla
- e-Commerce experience, such as setting up/building within Actinic, other shopping cart software, or building their own small shop management systems
They should also have some experience with building valid, accessible XHTML/CSS websites. Some ASP and Javascript knowledge would also be a bonus.
If you are interested please send your details, examples of work and hourly/daily rate to jodi@ecdesignltd.co.uk
Freelancers should have:
- Excellent PHP and MySQL skills in order to build web applications and back-end website systems
- Experience developing websites within CMS frameworks such as Drupal or Joomla
- e-Commerce experience, such as setting up/building within Actinic, other shopping cart software, or building their own small shop management systems
They should also have some experience with building valid, accessible XHTML/CSS websites. Some ASP and Javascript knowledge would also be a bonus.
If you are interested please send your details, examples of work and hourly/daily rate to jodi@ecdesignltd.co.uk
Sunday 1 March 2009
Implementation, Rebranding and Design
The majority of UK companies see a successful rebrand as a key way of weathering the recession, according to new research.
Implementation, Rebranding and Design, a report commissioned by branding consultancy the Principle Group, surveyed 250 marketing directors of blue chip companies and UK business owners and found that the majority recognise the importance of rebranding in a downturn and acknowledge the role of design in assisting business recovery. A few that is shared here at EC and the brands that we represent.
85% said that design can play an important role in generating a recovery for some brands. A successful rebranding was seen by 64% of UK business leaders as a route to gaining a competitive edge. Similarly, 63% agreed that a new identity signified a ‘bold embracing of change’.
“Any brand with the appetite to develop its identity in a recession demonstrates a willingness to challenge the market and a commitment to its businesses, services and products”.
The report shows a number of examples that includes Tesco retaining its ‘Every little helps’ approach and Aldi actively marketing and advertising its core ‘value’ proposition to a new audience of middle-class shopper. Also this month Citroen launched a new identity and according to Citroen Communications Director: “At a time when the bulk of the automotive industry is suffering a loss in confidence, we’re using the opportunity of a difficult climate to change the relationship with customers and show them that the company is reinventing itself”
In-fact in a way, us the designers should be communicating the strength and power of good design, its value and relevance to success for business owners and in this report 76% agreed.
Source: Principle Group
Implementation, Rebranding and Design, a report commissioned by branding consultancy the Principle Group, surveyed 250 marketing directors of blue chip companies and UK business owners and found that the majority recognise the importance of rebranding in a downturn and acknowledge the role of design in assisting business recovery. A few that is shared here at EC and the brands that we represent.
85% said that design can play an important role in generating a recovery for some brands. A successful rebranding was seen by 64% of UK business leaders as a route to gaining a competitive edge. Similarly, 63% agreed that a new identity signified a ‘bold embracing of change’.
“Any brand with the appetite to develop its identity in a recession demonstrates a willingness to challenge the market and a commitment to its businesses, services and products”.
The report shows a number of examples that includes Tesco retaining its ‘Every little helps’ approach and Aldi actively marketing and advertising its core ‘value’ proposition to a new audience of middle-class shopper. Also this month Citroen launched a new identity and according to Citroen Communications Director: “At a time when the bulk of the automotive industry is suffering a loss in confidence, we’re using the opportunity of a difficult climate to change the relationship with customers and show them that the company is reinventing itself”
In-fact in a way, us the designers should be communicating the strength and power of good design, its value and relevance to success for business owners and in this report 76% agreed.
Source: Principle Group
Labels: design strategy, opinion, rebranding