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Definitions For most non-technical people, one of the most frustrating aspects of dealing with the internet (or any computer-related issues for that matter) is an endless stream of technical jargon that you feel you are supposed to understand but really don't. Montage would like to help by explaining some of the technical terms used in this web site in layman's language. Whenever we introduce a technical concept, we have provided a link to this page where a definition is available. |
A browser runs on a client computer - for example, your computer. If your computer runs the latest browser software, you have no problem viewing anything on the web. However, if your computer is older and you have an old browser, a web site that uses the latest features might not display correctly using such a browser (have you ever had one of those "Javascript error" pop-ups?). Conversely, a web site that restrics itself to only using "old" features cannot take advantage of many enhancements that have envolved over the years.
Montage attempts to strike a balance by supporting Internet Explorer V3 and later and Netscape V3 and later (about 1996 vintage), but also uses techniques to use more advanced features where necessary in a way that does not corrupt the display on an old browser. The old browser may not see the same output as a newer browser, but the display will be acceptable. An example might be that a button does not "highlight" when the mouse is placed over it, but works normally.
If, however, the web site advertises or sells a fixed set of products (such as a bed and breakfast), where changes occur infrequently, the products and services can be "hardcoded" in the web page. For any change, the web page needs to be modified.
Montage offers packages that contain a database (usually mySQL) for those sites whose products and services change frequently.
As part of the basic service, Montage will register a new domain name for your site, and users will access your site with the URL "http://www.yourdomainname.com". Annual renewals are part of all the maintenance packages.
If you wish to sell your products and services directly online, Montage will choose an eCommerce package that is right for you, and integrate your product set into the site. These options are available with the MontageThree and MontageFour packages, as well as custom deign.
Montage offers email response service as part of all its web development packages, and its use is highly recommended. With just one click of the mouse, a visitor to your site can send a message directly to you, and you can respond back by simply "replying" to the message.
Javascipt is another language used in web pages, and it is embedded in HTML using SCRIPT tags. Javascript adds dynamic manipulation of web pages: for example, if the web page displays the current date, that may be accomplished by Javascript. Also, the highlighting of buttons when the mouse goes over them is achieved by Javascipt.
Both HTML and Javascript are processed by the client browser. As such, the version of HTML and Javascript that the browser supports is limited by the browser. If a web page uses more advanced features of these languages, the browser may not display the page correctly.
Montage uses techniques to use more advanced features where necessary in a way that does not corrupt the display on an old browser. The old browser may not see the same output as a newer browser, but the display will be acceptable. An example might be that a button does not "highlight" when the mouse is placed over it, but works normally.
Montage offers a response form for the MontageTwo to MontageFive packages, and well as for custom design. Its use on a commercial site is highly recommended.
As a web site owner, the higher-up in the list your site is listed, the better the chances that a person will choose your site. Montage will work with you to accurately describe what your products and services are, and insert appropriate keywords into the HTML meta tags, (title, description and keywords) and in the introduction of your site. If you are really into spending money, Montage will also help to "sponsor" your site into one or more search engines.
Montage offers search engine registration in all packages. However, this is basic registration, not "sponsorship".
Montage recommends a site map for sites over about 25 pages, and it comes standard in the MontageThree to MontageFive packages.
Montage does not recommend using "free" web hosting services. Rather, we recommend you choose one that offers reliability and security, and with all the features (disk space, bandwidth and server language and database support) that you will need now and may need in the future.
Montage has done extensive research on web servers and will put your site on a commercial web hosting service that has over 99.5% uptime, and is secure, with all the features you are likely to need. This is offered in all the web design and maintenance packages.
For the sake of simplicity, you can consider a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) as simply a web address, which takes the form "http://www.yourdomainname.com" or "http://www.yourdomainname.com/folder/file". It points your browser to display the home page of a web site (in the former case) or a specific page in a web site (in the latter case).
If you use a URL frequently, it is useful to add it to your browser's "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" so that you can access a web site with a single click of the mouse rather than typing in the URL every time. Since this capability exists, it is not so bad to have longer URLs these days. You may need a longer URL since all the good domain names have already gone!
Actually, URLs are much more generic than just described, but that is for another day!
Database
A database is a collection of data (information) that can be easily added, modified or deleted by a database engine program. Such programs include Microsoft Access, mySQL and Oracle. You need a database on a web site when the variable contents of products or services change dynamically and/or frequently (for example, the books on Amazon.com).
Domain Name
A domain name is a name that uniquely identifies a web site on the world-wide web. Since they must be unique, domain names must be registered with a central authority to ensure that no two sites use the same name. An example of a domain name is montagewebsolutions.com. When you develop a web site, you usually need a new domain name that reflects your company name, unless you can piggyback off of someone else's domain. Domain names must be registered annually, or else someone else can grab it!
eCommerce
eCommerce is a generic term for online selling on the internet. An example of an eCommerce site is Amazon.com. Most eCommerce sites use a pre-packaged software package that offers a shopping cart, checkout and secure processing of credit cards.
There are a variety of eCommerce packages that are available today.
email
email stands for electronic mail and allows you to send and receive messages over the internet with only a few seconds delay. Email is a very effective communications mechanism because not only is it fast, but messages can be saved, stored and retrieved at a moment's notice.
HTML, Javascript
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and Javascipt are the two main languages used on web pages. HTML is the base language of all web pages, and most web pages consist entirely of HTML. With HTML, you can add text, buttons, images, hyperlinks and most other web page features. However, HTML is static: when a web page with simple HTML is displayed, it always displays the same content.
Response Form
A response form is a form that can be filled in by a visitor to your site to give you information about what he or she is interested in. An example of a response form can be found on this site in the estimate form. If you want your visitors to supply information (to request an estimate for example), then a response form is used for this purpose.
Search Capability
A search capability is a web site feature that allows visitors to enter keywords or phrases and display a list of pages (on the site or on the internet) that "match".
A brief description of each page is listed, and the visitor can determine if the "match" is valid, then click on the link to go directly to that page. This is equivalent to going into a store and asking a clerk where something is. Some visitors like to use a search capability, others like site maps, and others like to "explore".
Search Engine
A search engine is a universally-available web service that can find web sites. Examples of search engines are Google, Yahoo and Altavista, although there are hundreds of others. Visitors looking for products and services on the internet almost always start with a search using a few key words or phrases, such as "Atlanta Plumbers". A good search engine will search the internet for sites that have these words embedded in their title or description, or in the first few paragraphs of their site, and typically rank these in order of likely appropriateness. At least, this used to be the case; unfortunately today, many search engines accept "sponsored" sites for large amounts of money, and these sites typically appear at the top of the search results.
Site Map
A site map is an alternative way of navigating a web site. It is like the table of contents in a catalog, and you look through the map and when you have found what you want, you can click on a link to take you there. This is like going to the mall and looking at a store directory to find what you want. Some people like site maps, others prefer search capabilities, and others like to "explore".
Web Hosting
To get your site on the web, the site must be hosted by a computer on the internet called a web server. This is where your web pages physically reside to be seen by anyone in the world. The web server can also be located anywhere in the world
(having one close to home does not make access any faster as you might have thought).
Although there are some "free" web hosting services, these always come with a catch - usually they pop-up ads on your site when a visitor accesses it, which kind of distracts from the message you are trying to send.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)