How to plan Web Design for your website

Web design is design of web pages, websites and web applications using HTML, CSS and various web technologies. It is important to carefully define the purpose of website as one of the first planning steps. After defining the purpose, you have to understand your audience. Then you should start collecting contents according to the targeted audience. Then arrange them in the form of web pages. Collection of those arranged web pages form a website.

People use internet for information. so your site should be clean, simple and well-structured. Your site should have lot of informative contents with simple layout and easy navigation.The most important things is that your site should load fast and doesn't look like that it has been designed by a novice.

Follow the Tips below to start with:

Page Layout: There are two kinds of page layout common. One is fixed and other one is liquid layout. This decision of which style of layout to use is often made on a case by case basis, depending on the needs and audience of the website.

Adobe Flash web page Vs HTML Webpage: Adobe flash formerly known as Macromedia Flash. The decision to use Adobe Flash is also done as per needs and audience of the website.Flash based webpages takes more time to load.Loading time is an issue while designing a website. If your site is content based, i would advice to use HTML and CSS.

Table vs CSS: Use of table in a webpage has been quite poipular over years and still now. As most of the modern browsers are supporting CSS, i strongly support the use of CSS in your website. CSS gives you control over page layout. Page layout has really been siplified with the use of CSS. This also helps in search engine optimization.

Look vs Works: You have to consider works of the webpage. Although look is also an important aspect of webpage design, but the page should be optimized with works and looks.

Browsers Consideration: You should know that there are many computer platform and browsers in the market. The computer platform doesn't matter much but browser has to be taken into consideration. At least check your webpage in two very popular browsers-Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. This is because your page is diplayed differently in different web browsers.

Loading Time: This is the most significant problem faced by web designers. Ypou should try to keep loading times for your webpages as minimum as possible. This can be done by using less or repeatative images for your entire website as images take more time to download.

Consistency: Your web pages should be consistence throughout your website.Keep same background for all pages and use of colors, fonts and navigation buttons should be uniform.

Navigation: Keep the navigation simple. None of your pages should be farther than 3 clicks away from Home page.

Use of Font: Keep the font uniform through the site. If you want to highlight something on the web page, use bold and color tag.

Resolution: There are many resolution screen available in the market. Your page will be viewed in many types of screen with different resolution.To be safer side, use 800x600 screen resolution.

How to check for disk errors in Windows XP and fix it using Chkdsk

A Hard Disk is digitally encoded, high speed storage hardware. Sometime it develops errors that can cause file corruption and windows errors. Mostly Windows corrects minor errors by itself, but overtime it can develop more serious problems and can make the hard disk unusable. Precaution is better than cure. If we take action in time then we can avoid serious data loss or problem. Microsoft has included a wonderful utility called chkdsk which can rectify this kind of problem. It can check the hard disk for errors and fix them. Chkdsk is advanced version of Scan Disk which was once used with earlier version of Windows OS.

It is highly advised to run chkdsk once in 3-4 months. It will protect your data from unpredicted problems.


What Does chkdsk Do

Chkdsk will check the files and folders of the selected drive for any errors, lost clusters, lost chains, or any bad sectors and improves the performance of your computer.


How to perform Disk Errors Check and fix them

To check for file system errors and bad sectors on your hard disk, follow these steps below:

1. Double-click My Computer, and then right-click the local disk (usually C:) that you want to check.

2. Click Properties, and then click Tools Tab.

3. Under Error-checking, click Check Now.

4. Under Check disk options, click the "Automatically Fix File system errors" check box to mark it. You can also select check mark in the "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" box, but it will take more time. Normally I select both the options

5. Click Start. The test doesn’t start immediately. It will get you a message asking if you would like the tests to run the next time Windows starts. Select Yes and Restart your computer. It will take some time so you can get some other work done during that period.

Further Reading: Learn more about chkdsk command switches

How to recover from computer crash with System Restore

Imagine a very nice evening, you are downloading and installing new game, application or a nice software and suddenly you realize that your computer is not performing as it was just 1 minute before or has crashed. So what is next? Call somebody to fix it. Wait… Here comes System Restore. (Available with Windows Me/XP/Vista and system restore is completely reversible)


What it can do for me

System Restore works like the Undo command in Microsoft Word. System Restore will remove any system changes that were made since the last time you remember your computer working correctly. The beauty of this is that it does not affect your personal data files such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, favorites, e–mail or My Documents so you won't lose changes made to these files.


How System Restore works

It does this by monitoring changes to your files and folders and taking a snapshot of your system at regular intervals. If a problem with your system is encountered, you can restore the system to a previous point and roll back your system files and registry to a point when the operating system was working. Let's look at how to configure your System Restore options and how to put the feature to work.


How to undo changes you have made to your computer

Save your work before you start System Restore console. Follow the steps below to start System Restore process

1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.

2. Click Start -> All Programs -> Accessories ->System Tools.

3. Click on System Restore and System Restore starts.

4. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.

5. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.

6. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.

7. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.

8. Click OK.

Note: If the System Restore fails, then try booting your computer in Safe Mode and try restore again. To boot in Safe Mode, press F8 when computer is restarting.


How to Undo the Restoration

You may inadvertently restore Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration

1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.

2. Click Start -> All Programs ->Accessories -> System Tools and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.

3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.

4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.

5. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.

6. Click OK.

More Reading: Maximizing ''System Restore'' In WinME and WinXP

How to Customize the Command Prompt in Windows

This explanation of customization of Command Prompt will apply for Windows 2000/XP/2003

1. Open Command Prompt (Start ->Run->cmd or cmd.exe)

2. Left Click the upper left corner of the Command Prompt Window, and then Click Properties or use shortcut Alt+Spacebar+P to open properties directly (screenshot is shown)

3. Click the Options Tab; you can change Cursor Size, Command History Buffer Size and no. of buffers, Display options like Window or Full Screen, and Edit options

4. You can also change Font, Layout and Color by changing parameters in their respective Tabs

5. In the Apply Properties dialog box, there are two options – Apply properties to current Window Only and Save properties for future Windows. Select whichever option is suitable for you.

How to copy MS Outlook Address book contacts to Outlook Express

Outlook Express is a no-cost, basic e-mail program that is included with Microsoft Internet Explorer whereas Outlook is a part of commercial Microsoft Office Suite. Outlook Express saves its contact as .wab and Ms Outlook saves as .pab so both are not compatible. A simple solution to this problem is to export Contacts as text file from MS Outlook and Import that text file by Outlook Express.

Exporting Contact from MS Outlook

Click File -> Import and Export; then select Export to a file ->Tab Separated Values (Windows) -> Select Contacts under personal Folder (as shown in the picture above) -> Next -> Write File name for your address book and browse the directory to save -> Finish

Importing Contact by Outlook Express

Select File -> Import -> Other Address Book -> Select Text File (Comma Separated Values) -> Browse to locate the file just exported from Outlook -> Next -> Select type of mapping you want -> Finish

Additional Reading: Copy Outlook contacts to the Outlook Express address book

Advanced File Sharing can turn Windows XP into File Server

Windows XP – Home edition computers always have Simple File Sharing enabled and Windows XP Professional computers have Simple File Sharing enabled by default but it can be changed to Advanced File Sharing. Advanced File Sharing capability of Windows XP Professional turns the computer to act like File Server because you can control file permission. File permission means that who can access the share folder and who can’t. That decision will be absolutely on you. In the case of Windows XP Home, you don’t have such control. Anybody can access the shared folder.

As I said, Advanced File Sharing is not enabled by default in Windows XP Professional so you should have to enable it before you could use your computer as File Server.

Enable Advanced File Sharing

Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Folder Options and uncheck Use Simple File Sharing under View tab.

Share folder with permission

1. Right–click the folder you want to share, and then click Sharing and Security.

2. Click to select the Share This Folder check box.

3. In the Share Name box, enter the name of the share.

4. Click Permissions, and then edit the list of users who have access to the share. You can give each user or group full control of the share; permit them to change, or just read files.

Note: Don’t forget to remove Everyone from the permission.

More Reading: Windows XP Networking : Sharing in the Home Office

How to Record Streaming Music or Audio on your PC

If you are a big fan of Internet radio or music and streaming audio of all kinds, most likely you will want to record your favorite radio program or music for future listening. But most streaming broadcasting companies don't want listeners to record their broadcasts. Applications used for streaming such as RealPlayer or Windows Media Player don't include record options. Here comes Audacity – an absolutely free open source Audio Editor and Recorder. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. It will let you record and edit streaming music or other live Internet broadcasts to your PC.

What can you do with Audacity

1. You can Record live audio or streaming music playing on your PC.

2. You can convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.

3. You can Edit MP3, WAV, and Ogg Vorbis sound files.

4. You can Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together.

5. You can Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

If you want to know more about Audacity, you can visit Audacity feature Page.


How to Install Audacity

Step 1. Download Audacity 1.2.6 for Windows from here or go directly to download page. (note: There are two version of Audacity 1.2.6 & Audacity 1.3.2 Beta available right now)

Step 2. Download whichever Version you want to try. I prefer to use Audacity 1.2.6

Step 3. File download window will appear, Click Run (note: ActiveX may block the download, so you should allow it to start download.)

Step 4. Once download is complete, Click Run

Step 5. Follow the Screen and Click Next

Step 6. Select “I Accept the Agreement” and Press Next

Step 7. Follow the Screen and Press Next and Next until you reach Install

Step 8. Press Install to start installation of Audacity

Step 9. Press Finish and Installation is done


How can you Record Streaming Music or Audio

1. Start the Audacity (i.e. Start –> All Programs –> Audacity)

2. You need to do some Configuration here: In the main window, near the top on one of the toolbars, you will find a drop down box with a variety of inputs that you can record from. Same is shown in the screenshot with Red Circle. Select whichever option is suitable for you. In my case, Wave Out Mix worked. It may vary because it depends upon the sound card you have in your computer.

3. Make sure that your Internet radio or streaming music program is running and playing. Hit the Record button (the button with the red circle on it) in Audacity. When you have finished recording, Hit the Stop button (the button with the square on it). Record and Stop Button is also shown with Red Circle in the Screenshot.

4. Now Save the Recorded music in your computer. To save your recording, click File -> Export as WAV from the menu, if you want to save it as a WAV file.

How to Save the Recording in MP3

To save the Recording as an MP3 file, click File -> Export as MP3. But to do that, you must have to install LIME MP3 Encoder that allows Audacity to export MP3 file. You can download LIME MP3 Encoder from http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~raa110/audacity/lame.html. This is a Zip file so you have to unzip it and then copy that folder anywhere you like but I prefer to keep in C:\Program Files\Audacity folder. Then go to Edit -> Preferences – File Formats and Click on the Find Library. Then it will ask you to locate file “lame_enc.dll”. It will be in the same directory you have just unzipped and copied to C:\Program Files\Audacity. Then Click OK and again OK. That’s all. You can now export your recorder music as MP3.


Caution: While you are recording, you shouldn’t do anything that causes the computer to make sounds, including clicking on links in Windows Explorer otherwise that sound will also get recorded.


Bonus Tips: There are many options available in Audacity that you can set like no. of channels, sample rate for quality, Bit Rate and many more under Edit -> Preferences.

How to remove frames from Word Document

When you scan a document with OmniPage Pro or any other related softwares or convert your PDF document into word document, the word document contains multiple frames. Frames make the document next to impossible to edit the new document because all text is placed inside frames. We need to remove those frames if we want to edit the document. There are two approaches to tackle the problem. One is to remove all the frames from the document at once or remove individual frame one by one. Removing individual frame is easy. You have to right click on the edge of the frame and select Remove Frame option. That will only remove single frame. This will be too much of wastage of time. So another approach is to remove all the frames at once. Please follow the steps below:

Approach 1:

>> Open the file which has frames in MS Word

>> Save the file as a Plain text file. (As seen in the screenshot)

>> Open the new text file you have just saved in Notepad or WordPad or some other text editor.

>> Now Select all the text by pressing Ctrl+A, Copy and paste that into a New MS Word file. Then Save it with any name you want. Frames are gone.

Approach 2:

Another approach is to copy everything in the Word document (i.e. File containing Frames), paste all the text into WordPad, copy all the text in the WordPad document, and paste it back into the Word document. This is done because WordPad doesn't support frames and it will get rid of frames. This round trip approach will remove all the frames.

Approach 3:
Select the entire document (i.e File with Frames) by pressing Ctrl+A, and then press Ctrl+Q. This will set every paragraph back to its default condition.

Demerit: All the approaches taken above will reset the page setup and alignments so you have to take care of the Page setup in new world document.

How to display html code in blog post

Suppose you are writing a article which includes HTML code and that code you want to share with rest of the world. But displaying HTML Code on a webpage is not easy because the browser tends to interpret the HTML tags instead of displaying them. It will be simple to understand the reason behind it if we know how does the browser know something is an HTML tag? Browser looks for opening and closing brackets that starts and ends a tag. So those brackets (i.e. < & >) are the key. Now it is obvious that if we change those starting and ending brackets sign with something else, our problem will be solved.

Solution:

1. Replace < (i.e. less than sign) with &lt;

2. Replace > (i.e. greater than sign) with &gt;

3. Replace “ (i.e. quote mark) with &quot;

Example:

We want to display the code below on our webpage –

<a href=http://topaix.blogspot.com/>Digital Knowledge Center</a>

We would replace <> sign with &lt; and &gt; respectively. The result will look like this –

&lt;a href=http://topaix.blogspot.com/&gt;Digital Knowledge Center&lt;/a&gt;

How to remove or hide navigation bar from blogger

What is NavBar

Please see the picture above. That’s the Navigation Bar which blogger automatically inserts into all pages of your blogspot blogs. This is also called Blogger NavBar.

Why do you want to remove it

>> Most of the time, the NavBar doesn’t match with the template used. Thus it affects the look of your web page.

>> The NavBar has following buttons like Blogger, Search Blog and Next Blog etc. Most of these buttons drives your site visitors away from your page. This is something you wont’ like.

What do you need to know to do this

In my point of view, the job will be easier if you know little bit about HTML and CSS. But don’t worry, still you can do it. Juts follow the instructions below. You can learn more about HTML and CSS at w3schools.

How can I remove it (NavBar)

It is very simple. You don’t have to be web savvy to do it. Just copy and paste the CSS Code shown below in your blogger template and you are done.

1. Code for New Blogger:
<style type="text/css">
#navbar-iframe {
height:0px;
visibility:hidden;
display:none;
}
</style>

2. Code for Old Blogger:
<style type="text/css">
#b-navbar {
height:0px;
visibility:hidden;
display:none;
}
</style>

How to Implement it in your template

For the Simplicity, I am taking an example of new blogger template which I am using right now. But mine is customized. See the picture below how I have inserted this bit of code into my new blogger template. Login to your blogger account and then go to Template – Edit HTML as you can see in the picture. At this point, I suggest you to download the Full Template as you can always use it to restore your template incase you make some mistake. It will appear under Backup/Restore Template. Just click on that and save it on the Desktop. Then copy the highlighted code leaving <style type="text/css"> and </style> and paste them somewhere inside the body tag as shown in the picture below.