Google to abandon older browsers!
So it looks like your time is up! If your company is using an older web browser as of the 1st August, Google is making a big step to stop the use of ageing browsers which can be insecure and not sophisticated enough to handle the latest web technologies.
A big bold step from one of the largest Search Engines in the world. Good for companies like ourselves, but are businesses going to be ready for the move? They had better be!
Those using IE7, Safari 3, Firefox 3.5 and their predecessors to view Gmail, Google Calendar, Talk, Docs and Sites will then lose some functions.
Eventually, it warned, these web services will stop working for those sticking with older browsers.
As a result, from 1 August, Google will only support what it calls "modern browsers". By this it means the latest versions and major prior releases of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.
As new versions of these are released, Google will get its web services working with that and then drop support for the third-oldest version.
Support in this sense means that Google will only do compatibility testing with more up-to-date browsers. It will make not test with older programmes and can make guarantees that web services will work with them.
So make sure you are NOT using IE6 or 7 and if you can download Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome today!
Firefox Update!
Mozilla today officially released Firefox 4 Beta 9 and it's a big improvement over previous betas and a parsec beyond the Firefox 3.6.x experience. At this stage, after months of development, Mozilla developers are clearly nearing the end of this development marathon.' After Firefox beta 9, a beta 10 and a single RC are scheduled (this road map can change, of course).
The main features of Firefox beta 9 are IndexedDB and tabs on titlebar (just like Chrome and Opera). IndexedDB allows sites to store data on your computer (with your prior authorization). Tabs on titlebar is self-explanatory. Old-schoolers can always turn on the 'show menu bar' to get their familiar GUI back. Oh, and Fx beta 9 is fast and starts fast. Firefox beta 9 available here and in lots of official mirrors
2011 is the year to make sure your website is secure!
Today in the news there was an article relating to an Irish Political party.
This is further proof that website security is just as important when choosing the correct company to host your website.
With Co-Net, our hosting is Green, Secure and wont break the bank compared to other online companies offering cheap unreliable hosting.
Further information can be found on the BBC News Website.
New Website = The Constant Gardener
April has been a busy month for us, with company updates and new websites in development.
Constant Gardener is a re-designed website for Claire Golemboski, who is a fully qualified Garden Designer and freelance Gardener, based in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
To view the new website, please visit: www.constantgardenerni.co.uk or further information is avilable at our website: www.designbyconet.com.
Stock Imagery on Websites or Posters being used right
An interesting story came up this morning with two policital parties in Northern Ireland using a stock image to endorse their campaigns.
As you can see from these 2 Posters, that they are using the same model to pubically edorse their message. Despite their massive budgets, they forgot to check if a stock image can be used to endorse a policital party. Which is cant!
Stock imagery is massive for graphic designers and companies. Its cheap and solves the problem of getting good photography to promote their message. However, without the knowledge of the rights of stock image, it can get you into trouble.
The company used is Istock Photo. A company we ourselves used for clients both online and offline design.
The BBC Website states; " The list of terms and conditions on the istockphoto website states these pictures cannot be used in a way that "depicts personal endorsement by model".
It specifies that it is prohibited to use models in such a way that it would lead "a reasonable person" to think the model personally endorses any cause.
The only exception is where the picture is accompanied by a statement that explains the content is being used for illustrative purposes only and that the person depicted is a model.
A spokeswoman for istockphoto said: "We care deeply about the correct usage of the images licensed on our site and our compliance team will be investigating this matter, as it does others such as this."
She suggested the parties may not have been aware they could have been breaching the terms saying "we caution against a blanket assumption of malicious intent".
However, she said anyone using the company's service should be aware of the rules.
"People really should read carefully the terms of service on any contract they sign, or checkbox they tick off."
What’s the difference between Google and a Browser?
I saw this on Smashing Magazine and I just had to show this. So ask yourself, how many people really know the difference between a search engine, and what a website browser actually is and that there is a choice!
Browsers like Chrome, Firefox are still in their infancy, but they have taken on Internet Explorer (the grandaddy of browsers) and are doing a better job of it too.
So here is a video that promotes Google's new Chrome browser, but always highlights that the average user still doesnt know what a Web Browser is!
Microsoft Retail Shops open
Well it was only a matter of time before Microsoft started to do something very similar to their competition right again. The first Microsoft store opened in Arizona.
Check out this link: http://www.bitterwallet.com/step-inside-the-world-of-the-microsoft-store/20239
I'm not sure if any will be opening in the UK, but I don't think I would like to visit a Microsoft store.
Google’s Chrome goes from strength to strength!
The first day of the month and Google has signed a deal with Sony to incorporate its Chrome internet browser into the Japanese technology giant's personal computers.
This is the first such deal that Google has signed with a PC maker.
Google said it plans to tie up further deals as it looks to promote the browser it launched last year.
Chrome lags well behind Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer and Mozilla Foundation's Firefox browsers in market share.
Internet Explorer is used by more than two-thirds of all internet users, while Chrome is used by less than 3%, according to web firm Net Applications.
"User response to Google Chrome has been outstanding, and we're continuing to explore ways to make Chrome accessible to even more people," Google said.
Some Sony PCs are already running Chrome as a result of the deal.
This is good news for Google and any fans of their Web Browser. In particular it is good news for less consumers will evetually use the dreaded Internet Explorer, just becasuse it is installed on their laptop when they start it up for the first time.
Does your website work in Google’s Chrome?
Google announced last month that they have made a deal with some of the largest PC and Laptop Hardware manufacturers in adding their Chrome Web Browser to these systems.
Some of the companies include; Acer, Toshiba, HP, Asus and Lenovo.
Fortunately Chrome is still in beta testing, but it does mean from 2010 onwards, website users using Chrome will grow significantly.
When was the last time you checked your current website in Chrome? Does it work correctly? Your customers next year may see a fault and not do business with you.
I would advise you download Google's Chrome now to get ahead of the game at Google.
Influence and Plagiarism – The Fine Line
Most designers would agree that the worst thing anyone in the creative industry can do, is copying the work of another designer/company. Blatant plagiarism is insulting and hurts our industry. I recently discovered a severe case of such practice from a local design company who had taken a logo, created by a world-renowned company as part of one of their product lines, and sold it as their own design for a new company (who in turn thought they were getting their own, original design).
I won't name and shame the company as I wouldn't want to cause any conflict or possibly damage the business of the company in question but I felt it wise to discuss the matter.
It is a huge shame that the company lacked the integrity, skill and even enthusiasm for their industry to sit down and develop an original brand and more so, a body of work they could be proud of. It is sickening that they would charge the client for a lazy, lack-lustre job that could also have legal implications that, at the very least, could result in a full rebrand (more time and money spent on developing and applying the branding to vehicles, stationary signage etc.) or worse... a hefty lawsuit. It has the potential to damage the company in big ways.
Again, I don't know all of the details involved in the project etc. I am only able to comment on what I see.
A lot of people say there is a fine line between influence and plagiarism. The company in question clearly stand on side of that line and it's such a shame to see this in such a competitive and ever growing industry.