Hardware - Page 2

I skimmed over the fact that one of the computers mentioned above filled the role of server, but when purchasing or upgrading a computer, having one with enough punch to be the server has to be considered from the start.

In the past, we have run up to four computers on the network with a Pentium 3 running at 500 MHz with 256 MB of RAM acting as the server. Our new setup will feature a Pentium 4 server, running at 1.8 GHz with 512 MB of RAM. If that doesn't do it, then I'll go play golf while everyone else works.

There are all types of savings to be had by using a network in this way. For example, one laser printer, one color printer, one scanner, a huge hard drive, and just about one of anything you want can be shared throughout the network, saving a lot of equipment costs.

We have chosen to take advantage of low prices to run our office with four laser printers, four color printers, and four scanners, but it really isn't necessary — except to save steps to go get the output from another room and because some things then can be done without having to use network resources.

It is important to make sure the printers and scanners you buy are network compatible.

Clearly, another way to save on hardware is to assign certain tasks to certain computers. In our case, one computer is used primarily to handle music from the studio and to use with the sound mixers.

In smaller offices that much specialization may not be possible, but even if there are only two computers on the network, you may wish to have one more potent than the other to handle graphics and 3D programs. That saves having to put the software on all of the computers.

One piece of software that makes hardware better comes into play if your shop has both PCs and Macintosh computers. We have one Mac to work with clients who only use Macs, but to make it more compatible with the rest of the office, it has a program called Virtual PC on it that allows it to be networked with the others through Microsoft's Client for Networks setup and to use PC- compatible software. Other manufactures make similar software, including some that allow users to have PCs more functional in a predominantly Mac office.

Software

There are three basic types of software programs that are vital for Web designers: HTML, photo processing, and drawing.

HTML

This is the heart and soul of the business, but it does not have to cost a fortune to have a good HTML editor. There are many on the market more than adequate, including some that are totally free.

The first decision to be made is whether to use a text editor or a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor. Purist will say there is no other way to go than to use a text editor; others say learning HTML is a waste of time when elements can simply be dragged and dropped onto a page.

As a purist, I'm willing to go so far as to say WYSIWYG editors are fine provided the designers use their own graphics and layouts rather than templates that come with such programs. By using original elements, the designer is giving the client fair value, not a look that is used on thousands of other sites.

Among text editors, Macromedia's HomeSite has perhaps as good a reputation as any, and it has long lived up to that reputation. There are, however, several that stand out including Amiasoft's SiteAid, Evrsoft's 1st Page 2000, Coffee Cup, and BBEdit for the Mac. That is just a handful of the good ones out there, and by checking freeware sites on the Internet it is possible to find several of that genre that are above average.

True purist, I suppose, prefer using Notepad or some similar program, but with those mentioned above, much of the coding can be inserted by clicking a button rather than doing all that unnecessary typing. That may not be important to everyone, but those who ever had a tinge of a repetitive stress injury will appreciate the difference.

Photo Processing

Adobe's Photoshop is the reigning king of this world, and it deserves the title. It has maintained that honor by consistently providing users with features and options that make it outstanding. The only problem: it can be expensive at just more than $600.

Jasc's Paint Shop Pro is an excellent program and sells for about $500 less than Photoshop. There are other programs in this genre that do a decent job and, again, a search of freeware sites can turn up some possibilities.

Whichever program is chosen, it is important that it offers enough features to enable Web designers to manipulate photos as needed. Most programs have followed the lead of Photoshop and PSP by offering filters to alter photos in many imaginative ways. Many of those filters (or some by a different name that perform the same function) are available for free on the Internet.

Setting Up A Web Design Business
Drawing Software - Page 3