Gathering Content , file formatting and naming_conventions
Here is a list of time savers for both you and the producer. These basic principles will be helpful in planning your site and cut countless hours of time.
Text & Copywriting
The copywritten text content and information you need for your site may already be in an electronic format. Possibly in a brochure or some other materials. It may be in a Quark Express file or Microsoft Word or created in some other application. Whether you have created it, or a print designer, chances are very good that it can be utilized to save time. These files may need to be resaved for a web firm to utilize them. Extensive copywriting or data entry may be an additional charge.
- Setting up a separate text file for each webpage will insure that the accurate capture of what you have in mind for your site. Name files according to what you would like to have the page called if possible.
- We and most firms accept text files in any format however, ASCII text or RTF are preferred.
- We and most other firms expect to make minor changes after the initial design your site's pages, but please send the nearest final version of your text to avoid extensive reformatting of additional files.
Graphics
Photographs and illustrations may also be available from an existing project in high resolution electronic format. For quality purposes we and most firms prefer the highest quality electronic files available or an original piece to scan or photograph.
- Photos and illustrations enhance the appearance of your Website and retain attention. Clipart tends to make an amateurish presentation and most stock photos are widely overused.
- Please attach a note to the photo/artwork hard copy to indicate its caption and which webpage it will go on or indicate by naming the electronic file accordingly.
- For custom graphics, if you know what you want, please include a sketch if possible. Most firms including MedeaWorks will not alter another artist/photographers work without written permission. We and others charge additionally for extensive Digital or conventional illustration and/or retouching.
- Basic interface graphics are included from most firms If you have an exact design in mind, make sure to show the firm so they can let you know if it's technically possible.
3D, Animation, Audio, Video & other
Files in these areas come in a extremely wide variety. Bit rates and khz variance for audio, numerous types of codecs for video and 3D and animation file extentions are vast. The media type varies as well: CDR, DV, DAT, etc. We or another firm can analyze your existing files to gauge the easiest possible transfer method to the proper web format. If your company does in-house production, they should be easily transferred. MedeaWorks can translate or produce any content you may require.
Naming Conventions
Most of the time it is not necessary to worry about how you name your files except to designate what they are and where they go. So don't worry about specifics unless your comfortable with it. Here are a few tech facts about naming conventions for the web.
For universal purposes, all files for the web are in lower case, (some servers will not recognize them otherwise) no spaces, no dashes, slashes or strange characters. Underscores and numbers are OK. Each type of code has it's own set of reserved keywords.
Good basic html examples: aboutus.html or about_us.php
pressphoto.jpg or bobs_press_release_pht.gif
Even on a local drive, many times Windows and NT systems misconstrue certain characters in a name and do not allow them to be seen, such as a forward slash: " / " This symbol on a server, is used as a path to "go into" a directory. bobs/photo1.jpg will not be found unless "photo1.jpg" is in "bobs" folder. 404!
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