As the first editorial I've written, I've decided to devote this to revealing my motives behind the design and forthcoming maintenance of this site.

Being a professional HTML designer, and a surfer of the web virtually since it's earliest days, I've found myself in an excellent position to not only become aware of the increasingly powerful Internet technologies available, but also of their widespread misuse, overuse, and occasionally underuse.

While I am refering for the most part to the changes in the HTML language (and the way in which it is practically used) along with marginally increased bandwidth - which has brought new opportunities and challenges in itself, other technologies such as JavaScript are also of relevance.

Now is is just my fertile imagination, or has anyone else noticed just how many apalling websites are out there? In using the term 'apalling' I'm referring to sites demonstrating one or more of the following characteristics:

* Dramatic overuse of frames, JavaScripts, and Java applets, often in situations where pure HTML alone can do the job.
* HUGE, massive, uneccessary JPEG images and client-side image maps which are a mockery of the term 'bandwidth friendly'
* Poor site layout, with little thought put into structure, presentation, and organisation of text-based content
* Sites which spawn new windows - 'as if they were giving birth to triplets'
* Visually gut-wrenching and meal prolonging colour schemes
* Poor use of english - featuring manny speling erozs
* Broken or outdated links - even entire sites which seem to be 'lost in space'

I could probably go on, but you get the picture.

In engineering Web Design HQ, I've attempted to provide the culprits of these henois crimes with brief, to-the-point information, creative but practical examples and useful tips 'n' tricks in areas such as HTML coding, web page layout and structure, relevant software to use, and computer graphics technologies.

While there are other sites available which offer a wider range of information, greater resources, and more visual 'eye-candy' to attract visitors, my goal with Web Design HQ is not to try and match those efforts - but instead to focus on information and resources which are relevant and useful to YOU, the visitor.

In attempting to do this, your assistance would be most welcome. If your'e handy with Java, mail me your scripts or applets for posting, if you've created some appealing Photoshop artwork, mail it to me and I'll post it for display. Perhaps may even have some general suggestions or tips which may help me to better cater for your needs. In short, the more input I receive from YOU, the more likely I'll be able to provide a online resource which you'll find useful.

Happy surfing!





Nick Smith
Webmaster
Web Design HQ