Everyone loves to surf the internet before starting their work day. Whether or not they chose to go to a particular site depends on various factors. Although there are many things that determine a site's population, here are the most common elements to a well designed site. These apply to websites designed from scratched or created using a web hosting platform. Navigability-In a world where nearly everything is instant, people want to be able to fly through a site with the click of a mouse to get to the content they want to see. Having to jump through hoops for a simple answer to a question is a major turn off for viewers and they find themselves giving up half way. When designing a website ensure that every page is easy to get to and anyone could find what they are looking for. Error-free- Nothing makes a viewer want to forget the name of a site more than seeing the numbers 404. Don't just test your links, have friends with different computer settings do it. You may find that part of your site is not compatible with a certain browser. If so and you cannot fix it, put a little note next to the link letting your audience know about the limitation. It is better to tell them than to let them find out for themselves. A Catchy or Memorable Name-It is true that it is better to use keywords in the name of your site so search engines and the general population can find it for the first time. That being said, repeat business is a more important aspect because those who like a site will spread the word. Have a website name that your viewers can remember the instant they see it. They won't have to look it back up when they want to tell their friends and coworkers about it. Pleasing to the Eye- Have you ever visited a website that may have had useful information but you couldn't tell because the color scheme was horrendous? If your viewers can't stand the sight of your website, they will never get to the relevant information it portrays. Many people enjoy softer colors against a dark background so there is minimal brightness coming from the screen and less eye strain. No music- The worst thing a web designer can put on their site is music or sounds that automatically play once the site loads. As stated above, viewers enjoy browsing sites at work. The last thing they want is attention brought to whatever they are looking at. Sounds can startle a viewer and force them to frantically look for the volume button. This leaves a negative impression with them about your site. If it is absolutely necessary to have some form of sound, have it muted with an option to listen. The viewer might come back at a more convenient time to listen. Following these guidelines will help the most novice of website designers to create pages that people want to see. Anyone can make their knowledge about a subject well known on the internet. It is just a matter of how they present it. | |
0 Comments
With sugary and fatty junk food having most of the commercials on television, children often skip an important food group for days on end; fruits and vegetables. Any parent will tell you it is hard to get a child to eat their vegetables. There is nothing stopping you from having the child sit there until they eat them. I recommend that as a last resort, but it is better to associate vegetables and fruits with something positive. Here are some ways to get your kids to eat more fruits and vegetables in their diets. All of them are easy, cheap, and yours to try:
1. Finger Foods- Kids love to eat with their fingers. Heck, while I write this I'm on the floor eating French fries and green pepper strips. Baby carrots, vegetables cut into strips and apple slices make handy snacks with no forks needed. 2. Make them the "grab" food- This is mostly for older kids who can go right into the fridge and grab something. Apples and carrots can be eaten right out of the fridge while dried fruits like raisins are ready in the cabinet. Put the junk food on a high shelf so it makes it a less convenient option. Applesauce with no sugar added or an orange makes a great addition to any lunch that moms can throw into a lunchbox with a sandwich. 3. Stir fry- It's amazing how much a tablespoon of peanut butter can mask the taste of any vegetable. Chopsticks make the meal fun and interesting for any age group. Stir frying is quick and easy. Just saute vegetables in a pan and add your favorite sauce. My favorite is peanut butter, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and a hint of red pepper for spice. Most kids love Chinese food and this is the healthier and cheaper alternative. You could even fry up some chicken to go with it and it would still be better for you than General Tso's. 4. Soups- I can't think of anything easier to make than a soup. Even my husband can't mess it up. Throw vegetables, meat, and spices into water and allow them to boil. No need to get fancy. We all remember eating soup when we were sick and it brings back positive memories. It makes us all warm and comfortable inside. For an added bonus, add noodles that kids can slurp. It's very common to slurp noodles in Japan! 5. Banana ice cream- Ice cream in moderation is a good thing, but you can't have it for breakfast. That is unless it's made out of bananas. Just freeze a few bananas, peel them, and serve with fruit, whipped cream, or a hint of chocolate syrup (we won't tell your mother). Bananas provide lots of potassium and increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, making you happier. Looks like ice cream for breakfast can kids happy in two ways. 6. Mushroom pizzas- This one is up in the air and you'll have to try it for yourself. Portabella mushrooms have a meaty flavor but some kids can be put off by the texture. Just use the mushroom as the crust of a mini pizza. Coat the mushroom with a bit of olive oil, top with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings, and put it in the oven until the cheese has melted. 7. Applesauce in brownies and cakes- My mother taught me this trick and I have used it ever since. When baking a cake or brownies with a mix, substitute the oil with applesauce. The goods come out more moist and healthier. After you've had a brownie made with applesauce, you'll never go back to oily ones. There's no better way to turn a fat into a fruit. 8. Smoothies- These aren't just for adults anymore. Blend yogurt, ice, and fruit to make your kids what they might end up calling a milkshake. It is fun making these with kids and they can pick whatever flavors they want to go into their smoothie. I love blueberries and banana because it makes a gray color. Best of all, you can make a whole pitcher and put it in the fridge for the next few days. Don't plan on using it for awhile? It freezes and defrosts just as easy. With spring just arriving it will not be long until summer is finally here. Surfing is a popular summer sport on every coast, but it takes dedication to learn. Many people who surf consider it a major hobby and want to stay connected to the latest trends on the sport. For that, they are several podcasts available to the avid fan of the waves. Down the Line- Scott Bass and Jeff Baldwin discuss everything about surfing on this popular podcast. There are interviews with surfing experts and celebrities, popular issues, recent surfing stories, f or fiction segments, and surfing trivia. Listeners can tune to XTRA Sports 1360AM San Diego 7-9am PST on Sundays or go to the website to listen to previous airings. It is also available on iTunes under the keyword "Scott Bass." Surf Simply- This podcast is hosted by surfing teachers from the International Surfing Association in Nosara, Costa Rica. It teaches surfing basics and skills up to level four in a straightforward manner. The show would be good for beginner surfers novices who want to learn more. However, advanced surfers may not enjoy it. Surf Splendor- Scott Bass along with David Scales host California-based Surf Splendor on Mondays. Scott and David have conversations about more specific topics in surfing. They have covered issues from racism in the sport to surfing females from Bangladesh. Experienced surfers would enjoy this podcast since it covers obscure topics other podcasts skip over. Weekend Warrior- Dr. Robert Klapper, aka "Doc", does not always talk about surfing but it is easy to search on ESPN.com for the episodes about surfing. He does talk about more mainstream topics but he brings to the table the health aspect of surfing and how to prevent injuries. The show airs on ESPNLA 710 AM from 7-9am on Saturdays. A Day at the Beach- Clint Beachwood and Rickshaw Records hosts this San-Diego based podcast. It focuses more on instrumental surf music and bands than advice and news stories about the sport. Local surf bands can contact them for a chance to have their songs on air. They make a new one every month but not at regular intervals. Sometimes there are two in one month. |
Archives
August 2014
Categories
All
|