faq

A: Flash is intended for multimedia - not content presentation. Sites built from Flash are terrible for SEO (search engine optimization), accessibility and general user-friendly operation. They're distracting, slow loading, often don't work on mobile devices, and lack basic functionality (such as the browser's navigation buttons). Simply put: no.

A: I am proficient in (X)HTML and CSS. I also know PHP, and this site uses a lot of it (it's parsed in the HTML files). That said, I neither have the capability nor the desire to design PHP applications from scratch (custom shopping carts, etc.), so if you require such work I can enlist the help of a programmer. As far as graphic design goes, I am very familiar with Adobe Photoshop, and can handle most requests. If you're not sure about a job, don't be afraid to ask about it.

A: All requests are considered individually. Monochromedia reserves the right to deny service to any customer, for any reason, at any time.

A: Each project is different. For a free quote, please drop me a line or two on the contact page with a specific description of the job you require. I try my best to answer all e-mails within 12 hours, and can almost guarantee a response by the next business day.

A: All payments can be submitted with the speed and security of PayPal from the clients page. In the case of graphic design, clients first receive sample images with overlays to prevent theft. For full sites, clients receive screen shots of the completed design. For large scripts, clients may receive access to a sample version of the site. After payment is received, the "unbranded" files will be delivered to the client via e-mail or FTP.

Please Note: eCHECK payments must clear before files can be sent.

A: All projects up to $500 will require an initial deposit of 35%, which counts as a portion of the final payment. Projects greater than $500 will be split into segments of $500 or less, each treated as an individual project. The remaining balance on each segment will be due before work on the next segment is initiated, with the remaining balance on the final segment due before files are sent. Work split into multiple segments will be treated as multiple projects in accordance with the terms of use.

A: For information regarding legal rights to designs and design elements, please click here.

A: How long does it take to build a house? Depends on what type of house you're building. The same principle applies to quality web design; it depends on what you want designed. Notwithstanding, I'm fairly flexible with deadlines, and I'm sure we can work something out.

A: Taking a bad design and adding a highlight effect doesn't make it any better. It just makes it bad design 2.0. I aim for the best in all my work, but I try to avoid cliché effects and cheap solutions.

A: Yes. I can redesign your current site, or I can convert any image (i.e. a .PSD file) into an W3C valid, (X)HTML/CSS template.

A: No, I simply design the template. What goes on the site is your decision and your responsibility.

A: Notepad and Photoshop. Some designers prefer WYSIWYG editors, but I like to "hand-code" so I know what each individual line of code does. Notepad makes that easy.

A: Yes, I code in valid (X)HTML and CSS, unless instructed otherwise by the client.

A: The World Wide Web Consortium sets standards for internet content. While these are merely guidelines, and aren't enforceable, they ensure that content remains functional across different versions of different web browsers. If you own a site that isn't coded to these standards, chances are high that users of other web browsers will see malfunctioning content. Furthermore, sites that aren't coded according to W3C standards sometimes fail to survive browser updates, meaning they have to be redesigned. Essentially, validation saves you time and money in the long run.

A: I can only guarantee the quality of the code I personally write. More often than not, clients will modify their own sites, which sometimes results in the loss of validity.

A: No. Currently, I'm working alone and I'm not interested in joining any design groups or teams. I take jobs on a per project basis; however I often complete multiple projects for the same client.

A: I use PHP/Linux Business Class Hosting from InMotion Hosting. If you're more inclined towards Personal Hosting instead, get the "Basic" or "Max" package. In the interest of transparency, I feel I should let you know that's an affiliate link. Regardless, I'd still recommend them to anyone (as I did long before I became an affiliate) simply because they do things right. I've worked with their 24/7 technical support department many times, and I'd trust them over any other host on the net.