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Web-Friend
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FAQ Page
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web-friend.com F.A.Q page:
Q: What does faq mean?
A: It's a common acronym for Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: Who is "web-friend.com"?
A: web-friend is solely one person .... me: Charles H. Davis. (nickname: Ched) See the Site Info section for more details.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: I had my first experience with a computer in the fall of 1984, when my parents purchased a mail order Zenith Personal Computer. I fell in love with the computer field immediately - and signed up for a non credited Community College course. The rest is a long history of classes, trials and errors and an on-going saga of "Ched" and the computer field.
I first experienced the Internet via the local schools BBS and Telnet programs. I got my first "Home Internet" account with AOL early in 1993, and have been on-line ever since. (Although it didn't take long before I grew tired of the AOL nightmare, and switched to Compuserve).
Q: How old is web-friend?
A: I created my first site in 1997 as a personal home page that was offered by my service provider "city-net.com." The web-friend.com domain was born September 26, 1998. See the Site Info section for more details.
Q: How big is your site?
A: Over 450 pages at web-friend.com, and more than 800 pages spanning the various domains and servers that I post to. I also provide technical help and design for over a dozen other domains. See the Site Info section for more details.
Q: I sent an email to you but you never answered me ... why?
A: I receive an average of 150 emails a day, and occasionally a legitimate email will get deleted or bounced. My email is filtered through a mail screening utility that deletes / bounces junk mail due to the large volume of spam I receive. If your email address is listed in a "spam" database, or doesn't have a valid return address, then I will never see it. If your email got dropped, I am sorry, you can use the feedback form to drop me a line, and I will mark your email address as one that is allowed through. You can find the feedback, or contact form here. . For more information about email issues ... click here.
Q: How can I talk to you when you're online? (Do you (AOL IM, Yahoo, ICQ) chat online? (under what name))
A: I used to 'chat' a lot, but not very often anymore. I was either cheddavis or -lone.wolf. It just wasn't productive, it took up too much time, and it does leave your computer open to attacks from the Internet. While I met some really great folks through chat programs, I also found a lot of immature idiots too. If you're going to get online to chat, take a few tips.
Q: What kind of computer do you use / recommend?
A: I use several different computers.
My main computer is a Dell Dimension 4400: P4 1.6 CPU, 17" monitor; a home built 233 MMX, various drives, and 19" monitor; and an old 386 laptop that rarely gets used.
Q: What kind of computer do I recommend?
A: That is a question that can't be answered without knowing the full details: what you want to do with it, how much you can spend, and what kind of deals are available in your area. You may be able to find a very good used computer to do everything you want for only a couple hundred dollars ... or you may want to pay for the state of the art graphics, gaming and processing.
Through 2002 and early 2003, I felt that Dell offered a very good computer at a very good price - but many companies do. I suggest you check out recent Consumer Reports, and check with some of the Computer Shopper and technical sites for current reviews. Also, if you have a local store or friend that knows their stuff .... ask - nothing beats a give and take consultation. Bottom Line: My personal opinion (and it is only that, MY opinion) is that for a basic computer, Dell offers the best PC for the money.
Q: Do you have any computers for sale?
A: No. I no longer build them.
Q: Where did you get all the graphics and sounds for your web-site?
A: When I first started, I downloaded or saved them from the "free" and "Public Domain sites" such as mediabuilder.com and xoom.com (no longer the same owners). You can find many of their sites on my Master Links page. Currently I create all my own graphics with 3D rendering programs and PSP.
Q: Do you make pages / stuff /graphics for other people?
A: Sure, that's what I get paid for. If you're asking me to make something for free, I am sorry, but I just don't have the time to do that on an individual basis anymore. If your interested in having a custom page or graphic designed -
contact me.
Q: What do you charge?
A: You can visit the Services section for more details (but never less than $25 per hour)
Q: If I make a page will you host it on your site?
A: No ... not unless you are willing to pay for it.
Q: Can I just have access to your domain and I'll do the work?
A: Are you serious? ... NO!!!
(I actually get asked this one from time to time) note: There was ONE exception - you're welcome Bob.
Q: Can you add me as a link to your site?
Paid Members of web-friend are offered a free link to their site, and I do exchange links with other site builders. I don't usually add any more links without a link being posted on a reciprocating site. If you wish to submit a page or site to web-friend for review, click here .... AddURL.
Q: Do you have a newsletter?
A: No. Do you really want me to clutter up your email with notes that I made a new wallpaper, or moved a file from here to there? If you want to drop me an email, I will reply ... but I don't spend a great deal of time writting email, spam, and "look at my site" stuff. If I do something really major to my site, then I will drop a line to my members.
Q: When I signed up as a member, I had to put my email in ... what do you do with it?
A: Not to worry, I don't sell or give other folks email addresses out. The only reason I need an email is so that when I change the login password to my members section, I can inform you of the change. Also, in line with this privacy issue, my web-friend.com site does not create, retrieve, or look at cookies (the little file on your computer that many sites use to track its visitors). I don't really care where you like to surf on the Internet ... so long as you visit my site once in a while .... ;-) You can view the web-friend privacy policy here.
Q: Why do all your pages look different? I thought you were supposed to use a common theme when designing a web-site.
A: A valid question, and one I have responded to on several occasions. The bottom line is that while I do try to keep aspects of the site similar in regards to various sections (such as wallpaper vs. rooms, vs. About the site, etc), one of the things I enjoy about creating web pages and surfing the Internet is the vast range of styles, colors, tools, and such. In other words, I get bored with the same thing over and over again. I strongly suggest to any clients however, that a web-site to promote any business venture on the 'net should, (as mentioned here), stick with one particular style for your site. Same backgrounds, fonts, sizes, etc.
Note: As of May 1, 2003 this has become an obsolete question
Q: Why don't you use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
A: Another good question. I do, have, and will use them. You'll find my newest pages and the members section using css. Generally though the reason I haven't made more use of this powerful tool is the fact that when I started creating pages, Style Sheets were not available. I opted for the use of templates at that time, continued that practice out of habit more than anything else. You can expect to see more use of the CSS tools in the future though, for no other reason than I am being dragged (kicking and screaming sometimes) into the future. (Note: If you know enough about html to ask this, then you probably have your own site. Send me a link, and I'll take a look at it.)
Note: As of May 1, 2003 this has become an obsolete question
Q: What does the "(edit)" or "(completed)" mean next to your update: date?
A: It means that although I've gotten the page posted, I plan on doing some editing to it in the near future. Naturally the completed means that I'm done editing that page and it is in a completed state. ;-)
Q: Why don't you have a guestbook / page counter / message board /etc.?
A1: Years ago I did have a guest book, and a page counter, and a message board, and and and.... To be quite frank, I've always felt that the guest books were a plea for visitor to say something nice about a site. I don't beg for kind words about my site, I do the best I can with it, and hope you enjoy it (or at least find some useful information). For those of you who have sent in kind words about the site, Thank You VERY VERY much. It's alwasy nice to get a little praise. Besides, who's going to read a guestbook? Folks that are already here. If you like the site, tell a friend.
A2: As far as a page counter goes, I keep track of my server logs so I have a good idea who is visiting and what they are looking for. Over half of my visitors come from a Google search, and I pay attention to the types of browsers being used so I know how to design pages. Too many sites put up counters, then tweak them to make it look like they get 10 times the traffic they really do, I'd rather put my efforts into providing a good site. I figure "If I build it, they will come".
A3: I just don't have time for a message board. If I get too many questions about the same thing, I post it here.
Note: As of May 1, 2003, I have opened a message board / forum here. It's not something I am actively promoting at the moment - but I do check it.
Q: Your site is "... *&^$%#@&!!, terrible". (language censored)
A: Fine, each to their own - leave and don't come back. Better yet, create a site yourself and stay there.
Q: Do you have any tips for creating a web site?
A: I post html help files in the members section. As of July 2003, there is now a html tips page here.
Q: Have you won any awards for web site design?
A: Nope, never applied for one. Update. Due to a post I made in a webmasters forum, I started getting "web awards" in 2003. Not that I requested them, but I've posted a few of them on an "Awards" page..
Q: Why don't you offer ****** on your site? (music, downloads, themes, etc.)
A: My site is what it is. Perhaps I don't want to violate any copyright laws, perhaps I have no interest in said suggestion, or perhaps I will in the future. Try doing a search at Google or Yahoo for the items you are looking for.
Q: Why should people to pay to see your "Members" section?
A: Hey, everyone has to make a living somehow. I put a lot of work, time, and money into this site. It would be nice if it returned a little refund once in a while. Note: You don't have to join if you don't want to.
Q: I can't find ****. Can you help? (a file, a download, etc.)
A: I often help my members find what they are looking for on the net. I try to post information about many items you may be interested in the form of links. Other than that, drop me a note, I'll see what I can do when I have time.
Q: Can you get me a copy of ***** program?
A: Sure. Send me the money, and I'll be happy to pick it up for you. The bottom line is that I don't "do" bootlegged software (commonly know as warez). Yes I know what it is. Yes I have tried some at times. (Usually to evaluate it long enough to see if I want to buy it). Yes I know how to get it. No I don't recommend it. No I won't do it. No I won't help you do it. It is illegal, it hurts the little guy who is trying to make a living, and I don't want any part of it. End of story.
Q: Can you add ***** to your site?
A: I will consider it. Perhaps I will, perhaps not. Go to the AddURL page and follow the instructions. Can you create a site that offers some samples for me?
(yea, I know, a little on the short side. But I do what I can, and this one really gets to me sometimes. Folks that are either too lazy, or too cheap to find something they want seem to come to me to get it for them. It gets old real fast.)
Q: I noticed that you use other peoples programs or scripts in places on your site. Why don't you just write your own scripts?
A: A valid question. The answer is that there are a lot of good, free things available out there. I appreciate the work that goes into it, and I don't mind saying "Hey, look what Joe, or Betty wrote". And to be quite frank, while I can do some basic javascripting, and implement some Java apps - I am not a professional programmer in either of the two languages. If it is already there, the author has posted it publicly for others to use, (and I do post the requested bylines), then I don't have a problem with using it to make my work easier. Perhaps one day that person will be able to return the favor.
Q: I click on some of your links and it says the page is missing or does not exist, why?
A: As far as broken links on my own site, there can be several reasons for this, the first being that I have moved pages that were at one time in the free area, to the members section of web-friend, and another site or search engine is still listing a link to the page in the public domain area. The second most common reason is, I made the mistake, and typed the address for that page incorrectly. Other reasons could be that a search engine, or another site had a link to a page that I no longer post (either it became outdated, was merged with another page, or moved.) Details about '404' Missing Page errors can be found in the help section. If you find a broken link, feel free to contact me.
Q: What Software / Tools Do You Use?
I didn't start making web pages until I learned that "web pages" were simply "text" files with certain formatting requirements - at that point I created my first page with a DOS text editor (DOS 6.2 "edit" command). I still use a text editor to fine tune almost all of my pages.
For Making Web Pages:
My primary tools are: Dreamweaver for pages, Swish for flash, SoThink DHTML for menus, Top Style 3.0 for css, - then cleaned up and tweaked in a text editor. My first tool was an old Netscape html editor called Composer, and I'll still use that for a quick and dirty temporary page. Other tools I've used include: Front Page, Macromedia Flash, Fireworks, Homesite, Ace HTML, MS Office, Adobe Premiere, Publisher, InSite.For Creating Graphics:
As far as general graphics work and post rendering work; I use Paint Shop Pro most often. I do use Corel version 8 at times. Once a graphic is created, I'll use the ULead Smart Saver to optimize. If there are a large number of files to do a conversion of some sort on, I'll run Irfan View. To create my thumnails, and organize my graphics, I use Thumbs Plus 3.30. Its an old version, but I love ver. 3 for its simplicity. For fonts, banners, and buttons: I use ULead 3.5 Cool 3D, Font FX 2000, and 3D Font Creator (one of those $5.99 CDs you find in the clearance bin at your local software store). I don't use Photoshop, Paint, or any of the MS Image tools much anymore, but many of the early graphics were created with them. I know the real professionals will swear by Adobe (and it is a wonderful program), but I prefer the low overhead that PSP offers.3D graphics:, I started with Bryce, now I use Vue d'Esprit. I will also use the Terragen program at times for scenery. I use Poser for creating the characters, people, and animals, Raydreams or Lightwave Modeler to create various other inanimate objects. I have yet to master either World Builder or Lightwave as a true rendering program, but that's the direction I'm headed in the future.
For Uploading and Downloading:
Until I upgraded to Windows XP I used Norton Navigator as my only "ftp" program. However, it doesn't work well in the XP/NT environment, so I've had to switch. Now I use WS_FTP Pro. If you are looking for downloading tools, I suggest Gozilla, DAP (Downlaod Accellerator Plus), or GetRight. All are good at recovering a dropped connection and picking up where you left off. Particularly good for large downloads.For Surfing the Net:
I pretty much use Microsoft IE 6.x, although I'll pop open Netscape, or Mozilla on occasion to see how a page looks. I used to run Opera, and Aviator, but have given that up. If I'm forced to used dial-up, I run StayLive from the gregorybraun.com collection to keep and active connection. I run a tweaked version of the Zone Alarm firewall, and keep Nortons Anti-Virus updated. When I'm all done surfing, I clean out my cookies, temp files, spyware, and other junk with Ad-Aware 6, JV16, Regcleaner, and RegScrub.Misc:
Other Misc. tools I won't do without? NoteTab, MS Powertoys, Winraw, and an old copy of Sidekick for Windows 2.0. There are a host of other tools, but much of it depends on what you do with your computer, and the OS you use. (Windows 9x, MAC, Linux, XP, etc.). If this has been of any help to anyone .... np, glad to assist. Hope it answers some of those questioning emails. Many of the free tools I use can be found and downloaded at Major Geeks.
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posted: 01.03.2002
updated: 07.07.2003
Copyright © 1997-2003 Charles H. Davis