As a web mechanic I’m a pretty left-brained, techno-geeky, function over form sorta’ guy. Due to time constraints occasionally, and more frequently budget restraints, often I’m the only one making decisions about how things look. The simple truth is that in this day and age, with all the technology that we all have access to, we are all placed in the role of designer on a regular basis. The tools are all around us, and the expectation to use them is very high, but most of us have no idea what we’re doing when it comes to making words and pictures looks good together.

Enter Robin Williams. Even if you never read any other book on design, The Non-Designer’s Design Book should prove valuable enough that you will use it continually. It may not make you great immediately, that would likely require more training and plenty of experience. However it may help you become good enough in a shorter time than you imagine, and it will most certainly help you improve regardless of where you start.

I spend a great deal of time in front of a computer. Most of us do nowadays. Here are two things that make my time better and might help you:

#1 – Get lots of monitor real estate!

I use two 21″ monitors, each was less than $200 and both are driven by a single video card. My Windows desktop crosses them so I can drag windows from one to the other. If you haven’t ever tried this, you will be amazed.

#2 – Use the Tabs in your Browser

Having lots of pages up and switching from page to page makes using the web a bunch easier. Tabs are easier than windows by a great margin, and effective use of them will make your online life better.

I hope this helps you.

Read this absolutely brilliant article at The Real Estate Tomato™ about planning and maintaining your website. It’s aimed at real estate professionals but applies to nearly everyone.

Now go

7 Series BMW

Do you want to make a computer-geek / programmer nervous? Put him to work designing a website for true artists and craftsmen!

Fortunately these artists and craftsmen were looking for a clean and simple design that would show off their work, not mine. They’ll be adding to the Gallery, but the folks at Formula 1 already have some example of the work they do and it is fantastic.

I have the great good fortune to be a volunteer with The Fin Foundation, a local non-profit started by my friend Shaun Pipes. He and a number of volunteers give presentations to local schools, and others all over the Southwest, about our oceans. I’m proud to say I certified Shaun as a diver in the early part of my 19 year run as a scuba instructor, I’ve been on hiatus for the last 3 years. Shaun teaches and is active in the industry and has a, if you’ll pardon the pun, very deep background in marine science and biology. Take a moment to check out my contribution, I built the website that they themselves maintain.