Wisdump

Dumping wisdom on design and the web

Forums and Tables

I am setting up a forum for all the members of the 9rules Network and remembered the million times that my buddy JC asked me to do a CSS skin for phpBB (the forum software that I will be using). When using CSS and tables it is accepted that tables should only be used when using tabular data (duh right?). However, does forum content equate to tabular data or should it really be done in all CSS?

I think it should be in tables because each data cell represents a specific column in a specific row. That’s my indepth scientific explanation.

If the general consensus is that it isn’t tabular data and I create a CSS skin, I will make sure to release it to the community in case anybody else wishes to use it. However, if it really should be in tables I don’t wish to use a pure CSS layout without tables when it is isn’t needed.

Originally posted on April 20, 2005 @ 1:04 am

COLOURlovers

Color inspiration and color selection articles are all over the web (there is even one included in the latest issue of Design In-Flight), but sometimes you just want a place to go where you can see different color combinations at work. This is where COLOURlovers comes in.

The site hosts a number of color combinations and even allows you to rate each color and combination. Definitely a site that every designer should have bookmarked. I think I will play with some of the combinations on this site today to change things up a bit.

I’m really feeling this palette. Which one is your favorite?

Originally posted on April 11, 2005 @ 10:50 am

Design In-Flight April 2005 Issue

The latest issue of Design In-Flight is now out. I remember speaking with Andy about this publication late 2003 before it was released and was very excited to hear what he had planned. It seems that he has now hit his stride with it as this is the best one to date.

This issue sports a newly redesigned style with brighter colors and new typefaces. It all fits in perfectly with the new Spring season that has fallen upon us. It also introduces two new recurring features: Eye on Type (typography column) and Six-Penny Anthems (comic series). Other articles include:

  • The opportunity to change
  • Smooth Slide: SlideShowPro
  • Choosing color combinations
  • Feeling your way around grids
  • Who owns your portfolio
  • Beyond Portfolios: A fresh look at marketing your skills
  • Acing the Interview: Tips and techniques for success
  • The more things stay the same, the more they change
  • Designers as agents of change

Go check it out and make sure to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. It is well worth the $10/year.

Originally posted on April 11, 2005 @ 12:44 am

Why I Value Design

Thought some of you might find this entry I wrote at Work Boxers titled Why I Value Design interesting. The entry goes into my thoughts as to why I am getting outside help with the design of some of my sites.

And if you are looking to build traffic or make a little bit of money from your sites then maybe you should peruse the archives over at Work Boxers because that is what the site is about.

Originally posted on April 15, 2005 @ 10:51 am

9rules Network Blog

I would like to introduce you to the 9rules Network Blog. The old 9rules blog has gone and past away so if you liked what I said on that one or are just curious to keep up to date on the 9rules network happenings then I suggest you give the new blog a ride.

For the design I asked for something minimal, but with a style of its own and Rundle delivered on this one. I could’ve given him weeks to work on a more detailed and elaborate design, but for what the purpose of the blog is, the design works perfectly in my opinion. Knowing him you will probably see some tweaks over the next couple of weeks, but the foundation has been laid.

This is the first of many new blogs that will expand on the WordPress platform. We have some crazy things in the works for the network that involve WordPress and RSS so all you WordPress fans make sure to keep your eyes open.

New sites for the network could start to appear any day now…

Originally posted on April 20, 2005 @ 2:41 am