We personally have a system for such occasions.  There's a number of =
steps
we have to walk through.  First, there's the calculation, which we base =
on
all the input we get from customers.  There has to be a written =
agreement of
this.  After that, we do the basic layout in a graphics program like
PhotoShop.  Written agreement is needed for this.  Then, we build te =
first
version of the site, with dummy text.  In this build, we ananlyse the =
layout
and all display possibilities.  This includes link colours, font faces =
and
sizes, graphics, frames,...

Once there's written agreement over this, we start collecting content.  =
Once
we have everything, written agreement is given to start finalizig the =
site,
maybe with some declarations of content to come.  There's an analysis =
of all
content to see if the number of pages matches that of the original =
request
and calculation, within a certain margin.

Finalisation is done.

We always point out to our customers that there is a certain level of
knowledge to be had to deal with webcontent.  Since they hire us, there =
are
certain requirements WE pose on THEM.  They know we will do our best to =
keep
all content visible throughout all major browsers.  If there are =
problems
with things like links (as you described), we explain them or show them
examples of a (large) number of sites that have the exact same or very
similar feature, like mouseovers and such things.  We explain this is =
done
for USER-FRIENDLINESS.  We also explain purely static websites are to =
be
kept away from, since it's better and maybe even cheaper to have a =
folder
printed then.  Mouse-overs for example offer valuable feedback to the =
user,
like when you have to press a button in real life you FEEL the button, =
so
you don't miss it.  Working with a website should offer something =
extra, and
preferably not just interactivity on the content.  The time where =
hyperlinks
were THE thing on the net is long gone.

So don't forget, internet users have grown used to "not-so-obvious"
navigation and interaction.  While a picture link might be quite =
obvious to
80% of the users, it's possible it isn't for the other 20%.  Though if =
a
choice has to be made between irritation with 80% and somewhat more
difficult navigation for 20%, the choice is quite obvious.

Feel free to pass part of this on to your customer.  And hey... there's =
a
certain obligation you have to your customer at this moment.  Though if =
the
way of working is not matched or doesn't suit her, there's no =
obligation for
you keeping her as a customer.  We regularly have customers that make
trouble about certain things or our way of working (they have to sign =
some
paperwork and have some meetings with us every now and then), well =
there's
no use doing more projects for them later.  It's better for the two of =
us
then to spend our time on more effici=EBnt ways of doing things.


- Kayjey -


-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: owner-hwg-techniques(at)hwg.org
[mailto:owner-hwg-techniques(at)hwg.org]Namens psalmon
Verzonden: donderdag 9 augustus 2001 14:15
Aan: hwg-techniques(at)hwg.org
Onderwerp: opinions please



I appears we have a great group on this list, so I figured I would =
throw out
to you all a small problem I have been having. I hope its not =
completely OT,
but I am at my wits end here.

Its about a particular website I do for a horse breed organization.
<now this has nothing to do with the last horse related thread, I
swear-grin>

 The head of the organization,  is really a newbie. My problem is that =
HER
lack of knowledge and those in your organization are causing me such =
grief
over designing the website I am about to rip my hair out.  I can't use =
any
cutting edge techniques AT ALL, let alone something as simple as a =
mouse
over! I have worked on this website for almost 6 months and there is a =
never
ending stream of annoying questions about this or that.

I won't go into details because I would be here all day,  But when I =
got up
this morning, I had received yet another annoying email from her. It =
appears
that she and her cohorts can't figure out that the underlined words =
under
some thumbnail pics are links. I kid you not!  (Patti- banging my head
against the monitor)

On any other site, the actually pic would be a link, or the words would =
be
mouse overs, but I can't DO that on this site because these folks would
NEVER figure it out.

My question to all of you here today........WHAT do you do with =
customers
like this? I don't mind a few legit questions and stuff, but this is an
endless stream of inane questions. (ie...why do the links change color =
when
you click on them?)<sigh>

 I am embarrassed by the simplistic nature of this site and annoyed =
with
their never ending nit picking.  But its their dollar and does the old
saying "the customer is always right" apply to this situation?

Thank you for letting me vent this morning....<grin>

Patti

=20

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