Building Web Sites All-in-One For Dummies® (23 page)

Make a schedule or routine for yourself for making backups. When it's time, make your discs and then label them well. Be clear about what's on the disc and when you made it. That way, when you need to find something, you won't have to dig through lots of discs trying to find a digital needle in a haystack. A good technique is to burn the digital files to discs and put the discs in a folder along with any hard copies of documents pertaining to the project (signed contracts, brochures, and other materials). That way, you can locate all the materials related to one project very quickly if you need to revisit older projects.

Printers and scanners

Having a printer available when you're doing Web-design work is very handy. Part of the process of designing sites involves making presentations and outlining the plans, and can also include creating and signing contracts. If you're creating a Web-design studio, make sure you can copy and print documents.

You need a scanner, too. Often, photos or other documents are available only in physical form. If you expect to scan a relatively small number of images for use on Web pages only, you can use a common flatbed scanner. If you intend to scan large numbers of images and want to use them for print projects, you'll need a more professional-end scanner. Make sure you consider what type of work you will do and match the equipment to the task.
Note:
If you do choose to scan client materials, make sure you build the time it takes to scan those images into your proposal with an option for your client to opt out and scan and deliver the images to you in a suitable format. (Specify the format.)

Cameras and camcorders

Whether you're shopping for a still camera or a video camera, make sure you get quality gear that can produce professional results and that allows for future needs. The benefit is that you get equipment that's versatile and expandable while remaining affordable.

When you start looking for equipment, talk to professionals for advice on what equipment they're using as well as what they like or dislike about what they use. Also, check out message boards and consumer feedback sites. When you're reading message boards, look for comments that include information about what the poster is using the equipment for as well as his experience level. Look for people who are experienced and doing similar work to what you're looking to do. Also, make sure you read from several sources; that way, you can get a broad overview of what people are saying. The only thing to keep in mind is that you ultimately don't know any of the people posting. Reading many comments from different sources can help you get a more accurate picture.

Marketing materials generally promise professional results, but not all equipment actually produces truly professional quality. Many times, the automatic features actually produce undesirable results. The more the camera controls itself, the less you can use your judgment. In situations the camera isn't programmed to handle, automatic modes can become confused and produce poor-quality video. Make sure that whatever you buy for a camera or a camcorder, it allows you to take complete, manual control. This is important because you need to compress pictures and videos before using them on a Web site. Start with the highest-quality source material you can get. That way, you'll have high-quality Web productions. If your fully automatic camera makes some bad decisions for you, you might be left with video or images that aren't good enough to use.

Digital still cameras

If you need to take photos for your clients, use a quality camera that allows you to take professional-quality images. The better your images are to start, the more flexible they are while you work. It's also common for clients to want to multipurpose photos, so your camera needs to be able to take high-enough quality pictures that you can use them in other projects, such as printed materials. Research well before buying and try to stick with prosumer or professional gear.
Prosumer
(PROfessional + conSUMER = prosumer), in this context, refers to equipment that is considered to be of a higher quality than consumer-grade, lower-end equipment — these products straddle the fence between hobbyist-grade and professional-level. In general, you want to look for a digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera that can take pictures that are at least 5 or 6 megapixels.

Video cameras

Although consumer-grade video cameras have improved, they really aren't made for professional production. The better the quality of your equipment, the better the quality of your video — and it really shows in the final product. A higher-quality camera has features that will help you produce better-quality video under a wider variety of situations. Make sure you get information from actual users and not from marketing materials.

If you're looking at doing video, consider how you're going to get the video into your computer for editing and preparing it for the Web. You can connect the camera itself to the computer, but that's not necessarily the best way. Each time you use the camera for taping or for getting the video into the computer, you're producing wear and tear on the camera. If you plan to do a lot of video, you might want to consider buying a VTR (also called a
deck
) to do the job of getting the footage onto your computer. A
VTR
is a device that can play back the tapes from your camera — a
VCR
is a VHS deck. Many are available; look for one that can handle your needs. Check the format(s) your camera uses to make sure the deck works with it.

Accessories

Consider the cost of accessories when you're deciding your budget for purchasing camera equipment. The extras can add up quickly. In addition to actual cameras and camcorders, you might want to consider these add-ons:

•
Camera bag:
Use this for storing and transporting the equipment.

•
Cleaning equipment and supplies:
Use these to keep everything in good, working order.

•
Tapes:
Use tapes for video cameras unless you purchase a camera that doesn't require tapes. Research your camera before you buy it to make sure you get the right equipment for your needs.

•
Audio equipment:
Use this for capturing better sound. Your video camera will come with some type of microphone that's probably adequate but not of great quality. You might need to buy a better microphone(s) to improve the quality of your productions.

•
Lights:
Use these for improving shooting conditions when available light isn't good. A wide range of lights are available for still and video cameras, ranging from on-camera lights and flashes to whole lighting kits. What you need depends on what type of work you are doing.

•
Tripod:
Make sure you get a tripod that fits your camera (or camcorder). Make sure you have one that fits your intended use and supports the weight of your equipment. Don't forget to calculate battery weight and the weight of any other accessories you plan to use with your camera.

•
Storage cards and a card reader:
Card readers
are devices that attach directly to your computer and allow you to download your pictures easily by removing the card from your camera and inserting it into the reader. From there, you can download your pictures as you would if you had your camera connected to the computer. This can protect your camera from being damaged while waiting to download pictures. Generally speaking, you want at least two or three 512MB storage cards so you don't run out of space. Larger cards are available, but keep in mind that if you have a 1GB card and you fill it, you have to unload all those pictures. It can be more efficient to have two smaller cards so you can unload pictures from one while shooting on the other.

Graphics tablet

Some designers find a graphics tablet useful. A
graphics tablet
is a flat device ranging in size from that of an average mouse pad to about 12 x 19 inches. Designers use a penlike device — a
stylus
— to draw, paint, or write on the tablet. The tablet/stylus is pressure sensitive and generally includes a couple of buttons to substitute for the mouse buttons. The pressure sensitivity works with graphics software to produce more real-looking graphic effects. Whereas a mouse has a more-uniform response to your hand, a stylus or tablet senses how hard you press and produces stronger or thicker lines the harder you press. You can also set the tablet to affect opacity. The settings are up to the user, and you can change them to suit your needs.

Actually, a tablet and stylus can completely replace your mouse if you prefer it, but not all designers use tablets. Whether to use one depends on your personal tastes and what you're trying to do.

Setting Up Your Web-Design Studio

If you're working on a corporate Web site for your employer, you already have a workspace. If you plan to create Web sites for clients, you need to create your workspace. Some resources to have in your Web-design workspace include these:

•
A comfortable desk and chair:
Building Web sites takes a lot of time. Make sure your chair is comfortable for you to sit in for a long time. Sure, you can work with a hard folding chair and a little table, but you'll be more productive if you make a space that is comfortable and has enough room for you to sit and work for prolonged periods.

•
Bookshelves:
Web and multimedia production involve a lot of details. As you progress, you'll accumulate reference books, inspirational art books, trade magazines, and other books and materials. If you have a bookcase near your desk, it's easier for you to get to those materials while you work.

•
Enough desk area to accommodate all of your equipment:
Allow a little extra room for future growth. At least have some idea of how you can rearrange your workspace to accommodate more equipment if need be. If you choose to set your computer up with two monitors, you'll need enough space to have the monitors side by side so you can use them both comfortably.

•
Space to do paperwork:
Building Web sites also requires some paperwork. You'll find it's a good idea to have enough space to work on proposals, design prototypes, and other paper documents that help you stay on track.

•
Peace and quiet:
Your workspace needs to allow you to focus. You need a place that lets you keep your attention on all the details involved. If you set up in a major traffic area in your house, you might find it hard to be productive, especially when you have to work through a problem. Professional Web design does require an inquisitive nature and a place that supports reading and problem solving. Be sure to create an environment that will help you be successful.

Desperately Seeking Software

Throughout this book, we cover many different types of software, but this section gives you a quick-and-dirty list of what you should consider. Software is referred to as
industry standard
when it's the preferred package for a particular function amongst professionals. If you're concerned about building a resume, use industry-standard software whenever possible. It can give you a skill set that is valuable to the widest number of employers. If you don't intend to pursue a career or to work with other professionals, industry-standard software is less of an issue for you.