What is a website anyway?
Website: "a set of pages, each containing a combination of text and media. Media can be e.g. images, movies, animation. A page is referenced by an address, which resides on a domain, like e.g. www.caribmedia.com. A website can be accessed through the internet, and is a medium that can be used for marketing purposes as well as give access to online applications like email or databases."
Some common questions people ask us
- How long does it take to make a website?
This depends on a lot of factors, not the least your own input (see the previous question). The shortest cycle is several weeks, up to one month, where you'd have all materials ready for us, and require a site without a CMS for no more than 10 pages. This also depends on the current work load of our team.
- Can I update my website myself?
This depends on the options you require for your site. A website can be updated using a CMS (content management system). If you have opted for installation of a CMS you can still have us to the updates, or you can do them yourself. To be able to update the site succesfully a training session is recommended.
If you have not opted for a CMS the updates will have to be done by CaribMedia. You can have a support contract for these or have each update charged separately.
- How much time do I have to invest myself during the process?
This depends on the size of your website. A site of 200 pages takes more of your effort than a site of 10 pages. Be prepared to deliver all content promptly and to be available for meetings, especially in the beginning of the project. If you have your materials prepared before you come to us, this can help speed up your project. E.g. already come to the first meeting with a CD containing documents, pictures, and a house style (colors and fonts).
- Can I use the font 'quirky blob' which is used in my company logo?
Unfortunately only a small set of so called web safe fonts can be actively used in a web browser for plain text. Some of these are common fonts such as Arial, Times and Verdana. Text placed in images or flash can be made using any font, but do require a designer to create it, and cannot be updated using the CMS.
- I don't have a logo. Can I still get a website?
You can, but we'd have to sit first to define your organization's matching color scheme. Using two or three base colors will give your website a consistent look. We advise you to have a logo created by us.
- I have a MS Word document ready, so can I get my website done right away?
A Word document with images and text will help us to get your content online a little quicker, but this is not the most time consuming part of building a web site. Creating a framework and a consistent design and style are the first step, after which content is placed within this framework. If you require a CMS more work is involved in setting this up.
- Can I prevent other people from stealing images and other content?
There are multiple options to protect your images, these are the most important ones:
- Disable right-click
This method essentially captures the "right-click" mouse event and runs a JavaScript that informs the person that the images on the page are copyrighted and not available for download. This is a simple/easy solution, but if people disable JavaScript, they will still be able to right-click and "save image". This method will also disable other common browser functionality (under the right-mouse click) like "view source", "reload" and "bookmark".
- Put all images in Flash
The method requires the use of Flash. The images would be included in a Flash objects, the right-click and "save image" does not work in Flash. Even when you disable JavaScript, you are still unable to "save image"
- Visible Watermarks
This method allows you to add a visible watermark or signature to each of your images. This method makes downloading and using your images less attractive since there will be a watermark on each image.
- Invisible Watermarks
This method allows you to add a digital watermark or signature to each of your images. The watermark is invisible to the naked eye, but can quickly be retrieved using a watermark reader. Watermarking doesn't prevent someone from copying an image, it simply makes tracking down the offenders possible. This method makes tracking down people that steal your images possible.
There is an insecurity inherent to the web itself: a page is completely downloaded by a visitor, including any content and images. A so-called "screen capture" will simply make an image copy of the whole screen, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. The text and layout of content is even more difficult to protect. The only 100% failsafe method is not to have a website.