The AXZM Group - Articles - RSS Feed http://www.axzm.com Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:44:10 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.axzm.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.axzm.com The AXZM Group - Articles - RSS Feed http://www.axzm.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=225 In the world of Web Development (http://www.axzm.com/web-development.html) there are a lot of available technologies that some companies don't necessarily want you as the consumer to know about. The more in the dark you are about how everything works and what options are available, the more likely they can coral you into a solution that benefits them the most. This, unfortunately has become the modus operandi for many web development companies out there. If you are considering starting a Social Networking website for example, you should expect a hefty price tag when you request a bid. However, a social network, does not have to be an expensive business venture these days, at least if the developer is honest with you.  I wanted to write an article about the options that are currently available and hopefully remove some of the smoke and mirrors for people who are seeking larger, dynamic website developments of this nature. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:32:10 +0100 http://www.axzm.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84&Itemid=225 Many people across the web from developers to IT professionals have been inundated with promotion about the recent push to switch to PHP5. With the latest stable version, PHP 5.2.3, released last month, there has been a lot of debate on the pros cons of converting to this new upgrade from PHP4. In the second installment of our blog I wanted to provide a short explanation of what PHP is, some history as well as how upgrading might affect your ability to run the latest web based applications for certain businesses. A brief history of PHP… Originally designed to create dynamic web pages, PHP (http://www.axzm.com/faqs/what-is-php.html) generally runs on a web server, taking PHP (http://www.axzm.com/faqs/what-is-php.html) code as its input and creating Web pages as output, however it can also be used for command-line scripting and client-side GUI applications. PHP can be deployed on most web servers and on almost every operating system and platform totally free of charge. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:11:57 +0100 http://www.axzm.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=225 One of the most common buzzwords I hear misused is “Web 2.0”. It seems like everyone in the industry these days throws that word out as little more than a selling point, often with no understanding of what it actually means. I thought I would start off the AXZM blog right and explain this new approach to the web in Laymen terms as well as offer some insights into relevant technologies. Hopefully some people out there might get a better understanding of what web 2.0 is and more importantly how they can use it to their benefit. The one thing you need to understand is that Web 2.0 is an idea. It's not a specific technology, script or platform as much as a way of approaching the web. The term began originally with a conference (http://www.web2con.com/) between O'Reilly and MediaLive International. Legendary web jedi What Is Web 2.0 - Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software (http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html?CMP= ATT=2705) O'Reilly outlines the new terminology very concisely by contrasting older web based business models with newer ones that utilize this paradigm through enhanced architecture, community interaction and various web based applications. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:56:42 +0100 http://www.axzm.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=83&Itemid=225 One of the most important aspects of the industry we are in is Graphic Design (http://www.axzm.com/graphic-design.html). Why is it so important? Perception is reality for most people. If your presentation is flawed or is viewed as amateur, all the sales, networking and customer service in the world won't fix the way a person looks at you and or your services. In this blog I wanted to explain what the basics are for good graphic design. Hopefully by learning what goes into a well designed, balanced website or brochure, you will learn how to identify bad design practices and more importantly how to avoid them. Good Graphic Design (http://www.axzm.com/graphic-design.html) is clean, legible, appealing and attractive; it conveys a message that will encourage a response. A businesses designed collateral (their image) is what connects them with their customer. I am not going to get into all the different aspects of what makes a good website, the focus here is simply what are the basic components that go into a good design. The key elements of good design are as follows: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100