BROWSER COMPATIBILITY, DOMAINS & HOSTING ART340. BROWSER COMPATIBILITY.

BROWSER COMPATIBILITY, DOMAINS & HOSTING

ART340

BROWSER COMPATIBILITY

Why Browser Test?

Firstly, your site will be seen in a wide range of browsing environments.

It is necessary to ensure your site works under as many conditions as possible.

CSS Incompatibility – browsers are known for the inconsistencies.

Browsers to Check

Internet Explorer 8 & 9 Firefox 15+ Chrome 22+ Safari 5 & 6 Opera 12

(Check Windows & Mac Versions.)

Browser Testing in DW

Once your site is completely built, Dreamweaver has a tool on the document toolbar that allows you to check for Browser Compatibility.

Avoiding Browser Issues

HTML Errors are one of the largest browser issues. Validate your HTML on each page of your site: http://validator.w3.org/

CSS Errors http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/

CSS Reset resets any of the margin/padding issues you may encounter in different browsers. http://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/css/reset/

Questions to Ask

How does the page look? How does the site function? What happens when the page is resized? Is the site usable when graphics are

turned off? How does your site look on dial up?

Compatibility Limitations

If you are curious whether or not you can use something, visit: http://caniuse.com/

If you are noticing browser inconsistence with a specific CSS property, you can also check this site for compatibility limitations: http://reference.sitepoint.com/css

Browsershots.org

Allows your to enter your site URL and the browsers you want to check your site in.

Adobe Browser Lab

A free, cross-browser compatibility tool that lets your test your site in different browsers.

To put your site on the web, you will need a domain name and a web hosting service.

DOMAINS & HOSTING

Domain Names

Your domain name is the name that points to your site. Associated with a numeric IP address (74.220.195.31). Ex. cassreese.com

To register this name, you must find a registrar, and typically pay an annual fee.

As millions of names have already been registered, you have to check if the name you want is available.

Web Hosting

Many sites that offer domain registration, also offer hosting.

Web hosting companies own servers that you can purchase space from.

In addition to space, you are also provided with an IP address.

Most companies purchase space from a large hosting company, as it is cheaper and more reliable.

Disk Space

The total size of your everything on your site.

+ +

Bandwidth

The amount of data requested by the visitors of your site.

If 6 people visit your site, the bandwidth would be 6 times your used disk space.

14 ft.

Backups

The storing of your site on another backup server.

Each company handles this differently: Some allow you access to former site

backups (in the case you break your site). Some only create

backups in the case that their server breaks.

Each company has your back in a different way.

Email Accounts

Most hosting companies offer an email server with your package.

The mailbox size and number may vary. Example: [email protected]

Server-Side Languages/Databases The important thing to keep in mind

here, is will you be using a CMS (Content Management System).

For example, Wordpress is run on a PHP server with a MySQL database.

The Process

1. Buy the domain name.2. Find a host. I recommend using the

same company as your registrar. In the case that you do not, you will have to manage the DNS (Domain Name System). Here is an article that helps this process: http://coding.smashingmagazine.com/2011/05/25/introduction-to-dns-explaining-the-dreaded-dns-delay/

Registrars/Hosting Companies There are companies that will provide a

free domain name if you buy their hosting. GoDaddy is a great option, as it is known

for its incredible pricing. $19.14 for 3 mos. Hosting and 1 year domain registration.

Network Solutions was the original registrar.

BlueHost is what I have been using. Justhost.com iPage.com

The Process, Cont.

3. Login to FTP. Enter the server name, login, and password.

4. Navigate your folders. Find the root folder on your server.

5. Upload Site.6. Browser Check. Open your site in a

browser. Voila!

References

Duckett, Jon. HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites. Indianapolis, IN : Chichester: Wiley, 2011. Print.

Niederst Robbins, Jennifer. Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to (X)HTML, Style Sheets and Web Graphics. 3rd ed. Beijing ; Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly, 2007. Print.