Anchorage Alaska Web Design

What Is the Difference Between Web Design and Web Development

9:34 AM

Differences Between Web Designers & Developers

Sometimes people use the terms “web designer” and “web developer” interchangeably, but they actually have two different meanings. Web designers usually involve with the design and front-end of a website, while web developers work with back-end of a website.

Web Design Processes

The front-end of the web covers two processes: the designing of a website and front-end development. The design can be developed by graphics program such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or Fireworks to reflect the look and feel. Also concerning about usability of a website to help users easily to navigate and want to return back. The front-end development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript combination to code all elements needed. These include things like images, font, color, buttons etc.

The back-end of a website covers two parts: a database and a server. Let’s say, if you use online banking, you usually interact with the front-end. Once you’ve entered your information, the website or web application stores it in a database which was created on a server. All information stays on the server so when you log back into the website your account information still there. A web developer uses server-side scripting languages such as ASP.NET, C or PHP to make this work.

A web designer is a graphic artist who styles elements on the web. He or she typically has a creative mind set, while a web developer usually thinks logically. Because of the difference mind sets, it’s hard to find a good web designer who is also good at back-end development. On the other hand, web developers probably find it hard time to create an appealing website.

When you’re looking for someone to develop your website or web application. The best way is hiring a web design company since you can get both on the designing and programming. We, Alaska Web Design, have web designers and developers to help you meet your goal on the next project.

NWDS Alaska Web Design

About NWDS - founded in 2003 by six software engineers, NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) provides custom computer programming and systems design services. NWDS creates many types of software, including e-commerce, financial, defense, engineering, logistics, aviation and more. www.nwds-ak.com

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How to Create a Facebook Cover Photo

4:17 PM

Facebook cover photo is like our account representative. We would like to have nice and aesthetic in order to draw attention from audiences. These are some processes to help you to create the nice one.

1. Select image

Your photograph needs to have high resolution so you can work on it with Photoshop or your favorite software photo editor. I usually use Photoshop to adjust brightness and contrast before uploading, also when I play around with saturation can get more interesting look.

2. Dimensions

Cover photos are 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall. If you upload a smaller size image it will be stretch to fit these sizes. For the best result is having your image with the exact same size of Facebook’s dimensions.

It’s a little bit tricky sometimes when the image sizes don’t fit. I always resize the width first to be the exact number I need. Then I crop the image by using the width number I already got and the height I need. So I’ll get the width and height with those numbers.

For the profile picture sizes are 180x180 pixels. If you want to have a white space around the image, you can design it to be smaller but sit on white background that have the profile size need.

NWDS logo

3. The design

Please keep in mind when you design the cover photo. On the bottom left corner will be hidden by profile image. So it’s better to avoid to put something important or text on that area.

To add or change your cover photo:

Log in to your Facebook page
Go to your timeline
Click Add a Cover if you haven't have a cover photo yet, or hover over your current cover photo and click Change Cover
Choose a new photo from your computer
Click Save

Please check out our Facebook page

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5 Things We Need to Know Before Designing Your Website

4:16 PM

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SMS Pro Logo - Airline/Airport SMS Software Logo

4:15 PM

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How to Create Geometric Graphics in Adobe Illustrator

2:39 PM

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The Nice Trip in Seward, Alaska

10:15 AM

Hiking is definitely not my favorite sport, but it sounded very interesting to visit the abandoned Word War II sites especially here in Alaska. I've never known about any World War II battles that took place in Alaska, however I found a number of places when I Google about it.

Caines Head State Recreation Area was a historic World War II fort that is known for its scenic trails. It was the transportation center during the war. But in order to accomplish this adventure I have to do something I don’t like much—hiking.

This 6,000 acre recreation site can be accessed by boat or foot from Lowell Point Seward. The three mile coastal trail from Lowell Point to North beach can be hiked at low tide only. With a lot of camping and rain gears we decided to take a boat. We took the boat from Miller’s Landing to Derby Cove beach then walked about 600 yards in rain to the cabin.

We examined surrounding area nearby on the first day. It had a small waterfall just a few yards next to cabin. We climbed up about three hundred yards to explore more and saw a roughly fifteen-foot tall waterfall. Our friends’ kids had made their own fridge by placing a piece of wood in the creek to create a small dam, and placed their drinks in the cold water. The cabin was tucked into groups of spruce and hemlock trees within the rain forest.

When we went out to see the beach it was low tide. I noticed the rocks were really flat and had grey to dark color, as did the ocean. There were several boats out there trying to catch silver, but we didn't because we still have some reds in our freezer.

The next day we explored the historical site’s abandoned buildings. We took off from our cabin fully outfitted in rain gear along with backpacks for lunch and water. It was a rainy and foggy day with temperature about mid-50s. We hiked across the hill headed south to the entrance of Fort McGilvray trail. After 20 minutes of hiking in rain on a muddy trail we reached the North beach.

The north beach was a wider open area with a closer look at Glacier and mountains. There were some people camping, a group of kayaks, and fishermen along the beach. From here we could see the ruined Army pier which was built in 1941. It survived the 1964 Good Friday earthquake and tsunami but the land dropped five feet. We spent some time taking photos before hitting the trail.

It’s about a 5 miles round trip hike from here up to Fort McGilvray which was sat on 650 foot rocky cliff. Along the trail we could see some abandoned underground army buildings and artifacts all over the place.

The main building at the end of the trail was too dark inside to take photos, but luckily I had a flashlight so I could wonder around. There were approximately twenty rooms in the maze of underground passages in the T shape building. The other two entrances had the old military stronghold guns. The width roughly was 16 feet diameter. Later search, I learned that it was a 6-inch gun battery designed to sink enemy ships.

There were stunning view as it overlooked the bay and mountains which was worth a million dollars to me who had never hiked this far!

It had been raining most of the time we were there, but it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I enjoyed being surrounded by nature, appreciated what our Army did for this beautiful land, and fulfilled with the energy for my design work again. Like I mentioned earlier, hiking is not my preferable activity but I have to admit this was one of my favorite trips.

Sources:

Division of parks & outdoor recreation

Alaska state trails program