Web design shocker

I came across arngren.net today.

I'm very rarely shocked when it comes to web design.

Most of the sites I visit these days aren't bad. It seems like everyone's making an effort, and the web, compared to 10 years ago looks a lot tidier. How wrong can you be?

(They're probably making a packet of money from all the gadgets they're selling and don't really see the point in making the site any easier to navigate.)

Top 10 worst company domain names

If you need a domain name, it is advisable to look at your chosen name as others might see it and not just as you think it looks.

1. A site called ‘Who Represents’ where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name… wait for it… is
http://www.whorepresents.com/

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at
http://www.expertsexchange.com/

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at
http://www.penisland.net/

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at
http://www.therapistfinder.com/

5. Then of course, there’s the Italian Power Generator company…
http://www.powergenitalia.com/

6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
http://www.molestationnursery.com/

7. If you’re looking for computer software, there’s always
http://www.ipanywhere.com/

8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is
http://www.cummingfirst.com/

9. Then, of course, there’s these brainless art designers, and their whacky website:
http://www.speedofart.com/

10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at
http://www.gotahoe.com/

script.aculo.us

Very tasty!

If you're into free scripts, and especially scripts for UI then this really hits the spot.

"Script.aculo.us provides you with easy-to-use, cross-browser user interface JavaScript libraries to make your web sites and web applications fly."

http://script.aculo.us/

What can CSS do?

And in case there's anyone out there wondering what CSS is, and more importantly what it can do, here's a site that demonstrates the power and flexibility of CSS.

CSS Zen Garden: The beauty of CSS design

CSS box model

Over the last two days I've been doing something I haven't done for a while. Training.

I've been on a CSS course, and I left feeling as though I understood, and will remember and put into practice everything I learned.

Without doubt, the number one thing that stuck in my mind was the CSS box model, beautifully illustrated below.

The CSS box model is everything. It is the cornerstone behind using CSS for layout, and with a little practice and understanding the differences between IE6/7 and Firefox you can begin to use it as a foundation for all your web page designs.

You can find out more about the CSS box model at the World Wide Web Consortium.

Tell me and I will forget, involve me and I will understand!



Content - The actual content of the element such as text or an image. When using the CSS width property, you are actually defining the width of this content.

Padding - This is set around the content when you define the padding-top, padding-right, padding-bottom, padding-left and padding properties, the latter of which is the shorthand property.

Border - This is set around the content and padding when you define the border-top, border-right, border-bottom, border-left and border properties, the latter of which is the shorthand property.

Margin - This is set around the combined content, padding and border when you define the margin-top, margin-right, margin-bottom, margin-left and margin properties, the latter of which is the shorthand property.