Mark's Web Development Philosophy

Here are my ideas of what makes an effective web site, and what I have tried to do here.

This site is designed to deliver maximum information as quickly as possible. It is located on a fast server. This service costs more than most, but it is worth it for the speed and the excellent service.

I refuse to slow the site down with fancy graphics and extensive Javascript. I hope this doesn't mean it is unattractive. I am not an artist, but I believe the site is easy to read and pleasing to the eye. Graphics can convey information, but fancy graphics rarely do.

I continually try to change the site to make it easier to use. I solicit suggestions from users, even from strangers who know nothing about square dancing.

I try to use the right tool for the job. Much of the site is run by C++ and PHP code. This kind of code runs quickly on the web server. In a few places I've used Javascript, but I've tried to keep it to a minumum, because it runs on the end user's computer, which might not support Javascript, or which might run Javascript code very slowly.

I do use Javascript for two essential functions. (1) To hide email addresses from spammers. (2) To automatically detect the size of the user's browser window, so I can load a page that is optimized for a small-screen device when this would be beneficial.

All the HTML on this site is coded by hand. I don't use any visual editor. Microsoft Word, Front Page, and all the other visual editors generate code that is bloated and slow. To use them would be to deny my commitment to creating the fastest site possible.

I like to learn about new technologies and new tools, but I won't use them for no reason. I might construct a test page, but I won't use them pervasively unless they provide a real benefit.

Last updated Thursday 20 December 2007