Perhaps you have a few questions about the technology required to build a website. Maybe you've heard all the terms before but never really knew what they meant. We have created the following sections to help explain some of the things we consider, and the options we have available, while planning your web site. First, a few simple definitions:

Bandwidth – Bandwidth is a measure of your visitor’s ability to receive information via the internet. A visitor using a 56K dial-up modem has a “low bandwidth” connection. Visitors lucky enough to have DSL, cable, or a T1 connection have a “high bandwidth” connection. Web pages that contain multiple uncompressed or low compression images; lengthy, non-repetitive sound files; or large video files would be far more accessible over a “high bandwidth” connection. Visitors attempting to view such a page using a dialup connection would likely be quite frustrated waiting for so much information to download. By comparison, a web page that contains only text would download almost instantaneously via either a low or high bandwidth connection, but might be considered boring and visually unappealing. In practice, neither type of page is practical or preferable. The Big Giant Media Web Development Team strives to reach a happy medium by combining the right amount of content with visually appealing images and sounds to optimize download time.

HTML – HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language, which is the fancy name for the code that is used to display content in internet browsers. HTML provides a uniform way for web developers to speak to the wide variety of browsers currently available for consumer use. A document created in HTML uses simple text augmented with special “tags” to create a visually appealing document that displays consistently in many different browsers on many different platforms.

JavaScript – JavaScript is a scripting, or programming, language that works within the framework of an HTML document to provide additional control over various elements of the document. Using JavaScript, Big Giant Media developers can add simple animation and navigational aids to a website. For example, if the information on your website can be easily broken down into several major categories, but each one of those categories has multiple sub categories, our developers can use JavaScript to create a navigation system consisting of “fly-out” menus. When a visitor to your website rolls the mouse over a link describing one of the site’s main categories, a “fly-out” menu will appear providing direct links to each of the sub categories. JavaScript can also be used to create special pop-up windows when a customer requires more information, or a larger view of a particular image. NOTE: While JavaScript pages are considered to be part of a category of web pages known as Dynamic HTML, or DHTML, the inclusion of JavaScript alone is not sufficient criteria to describe the whole page as dynamic. See the definition for a dynamic page below.

Macromedia Flash – Macromedia Flash is a technology developed to enable rich media presentation via the internet. Like JavaScript, Flash works within the framework of an HTML document to enhance the interactivity and visual appeal of a website. However, Flash offers far more versatility than JavaScript, including advanced animation and audio presentation features. And, Flash was developed to allow the maximum number of features within a minimum bandwidth. Advanced animations and sounds that would bloat a standard HTML page can be delivered quickly and efficiently using Flash. Flash also allows Big Giant Media developers to create unique and exciting navigation systems, animated presentations, and interactivity beyond that which is possible using simple HTML.

While Flash content does require a special plug-in to be viewed within a browser, a very high proportion of new computers and browser software purchased since 1997 come with the Flash Player pre-installed. According to statistics published by Macromedia, greater than 98% of web surfers can view Flash content without having to manually or automatically download the Flash Player. And for the remaining 2%, the Flash Player is available for free at the Macromedia website, and requires less than 1 minute to download. For more information, please visit the Macromedia website (www.macromedia.com).

SQL – Pronounced “sequel” by some, SQL is the abbreviation for Structured Query Language, and is the name given to a technology developed by Microsoft that allows for the construction and communication with a relational database. Such a database is frequently used as a repository for information delivered to a website, as well as for data collected by forms on the website. An SQL database could be used to store information from orders placed on-line, from customer input forms, or to maintain a mailing list for customers who have visited your database. SQL is one of many competing technologies but is one of the most widely used database products available. It is easily scalable and can be used for both the simplest customer feedback form and the most complex, high traffic on-line ordering system.

Macromedia Cold Fusion – Cold Fusion is the technology developed by Macromedia that allows any standard HTML based browser to retrieve information from and store data to a relational database. Using a set of custom tags similar to those developed for HTML, Cold Fusion takes input from the web browser and performs specific operations on the database, returning information to the browser that can be displayed in any manner that our designers see fit. Cold Fusion is the “middle man” between your visitor’s browser and the information you want them to see.

Static Page – For our purposes, a static web page is defined as a web page that contains content that rarely if ever changes. Static pages are created using HTML, and all of the content visible on the page is stored directly in the HTML document. Changes on the page must be made directly to the HTML document, and must adhere to strict HTML standards. The original document must then be uploaded via FTP to the web server. NOTE: a static page may contain JavaScript or Flash animations, and so may not appear static in the strict sense of the word. Nonetheless, since the document content does not change, we define the page as static.

Dynamic Page – A dynamic page uses a custom HTML template designed by Big Giant Media to display content retrieved from a dynamic database. Since data on this type of page is not stored directly in the HTML document, changes to the page may be accomplished by updating the associated database, and no knowledge of HTML or any other coding language is necessary.





Drawing on the arsenal of technologies described above, Big Giant Media developers can choose from many options while designing and constructing your new website. We must consider all of the following:

Site Introduction or “Webmercial” – Does your website require a simple, animated introduction; a complex and exciting “Webmercial”; or none of the above? Using the features available in Flash, the Big Giant Media Web Development Team can create everything from a simple animation of your logo, to an eye-catching, “ear-catching” commercial-like presentation about your company. Do you want an original music soundtrack to accompany your webmercial? Our composers can create new, royalty free music for exclusive use on your website.

Big Giant Media provides several options for an opening animation. For example, the animation can appear once during a user’s first visit, or every time a visitor comes to the site. The introduction may appear before the main Home Page begins to load, requiring the visitor to view or skip the introduction before proceeding to the Home Page ( a “pass-through” intro), or the introduction may appear in a smaller foreground window while the Home Page loads in the background (a “pop-up” intro). The intro to your site can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.

To Flash or Not to Flash – Flash is a dynamic and electrifying technology. Using Flash, our developers can create distinctive navigation systems for your website. They can present information in innovative ways that cannot be duplicated on a standard HTML site. But Flash is not necessary for every website. We carefully consider the alternatives before making a recommendation regarding use of Flash technology. While Flash is designed to deliver maximum content within a minimum bandwidth, the very nature of Flash encourages the utmost use of its potential, thereby sometimes resulting in larger file sizes. Sometimes it may be necessary to consider mirroring a Flash site with a standard HTML site.

Mirroring a Site – In the circumstance that you wish to take advantage of the added features of a Flash site, while assuring that every possible user will have access to your site, it may be necessary to create a “mirror image” of the Flash site using standard HTML. Under these circumstances, Big Giant Media can create a second, completely functional version of your site by removing the Flash features and replacing them with similar HTML elements. While this approach may take a little longer to implement, you can be assured of having a state of the art site that will not limit your customers ability to view it in any way.

Banner Ads – Do you want to allow other companies to advertise on your website? If so, do you want to track your customer’s response to the ads? Banner placement can be an effective means to increase the revenue generated by your website. The Big Giant Media Development Team can integrate the ability to display banner ads on your website, and we can create the tracking application that will allow you to show your advertisers exactly how popular the ads are.

Visitor Input – If you need to get information from your visitors, whether its an application form, customer feedback, or an on-line survey, your website will need to incorporate forms. Big Giant Media will create and implement all the forms you require. You may choose to have the data on a form emailed directly to you, or you may want email notification with concurrent placement of the data in an on-line database that you can use to generate mailing lists or customer tracking info. Either way, the Big Giant Media Web Development Team will create an implement the system that will best suit your needs.

Static or Dynamic Content – Are you going to want to update your site frequently? Do you have an on-line catalog with items that change frequently or seasonally? Does your site present information that changes on a daily or weekly basis? If not, you can get by with a static site, and Big Giant Media will be happy to provide updates or changes as you need them, billed at an hourly rate. However, if your content changes frequently, then you need a dynamic site. In this case, Big Giant Media will construct not only the “pretty” parts of your site, but the down and dirty infrastructure that will make it work for you. We will design and build an SQL database, create the Cold Fusion interface necessary to interact with it, and the web pages that present and collect the data. And, since you will want to administer the database yourself, we will create a specialized back office administration area.

Administration Area – To administer your dynamic site, you don’t want to learn HTML, or Flash, or any of those confusing languages. You want to type in the information and have it display on the web page. Simple. With Big Giant Media, that’s not a problem. If you have a dynamic site, we will create a password protected administration area that will allow you to add, edit, or delete content as necessary. Your administration area will be available from any browser, on any computer, at any time, and will be accessible to you simply by entering your username and password. After logging in, just navigate to the information you wish to update, make the changes, and then submit the change by clicking a button. The next time anyone visits the website, the new information will be presented in the established format.

E-commerce – Do you wish to sell items on-line? If so, Big Giant Media can construct a shopping system for you that will allow you to take orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Using AbleCommerce or similar software, Big Giant Media will integrate a shopping cart system into your website, and enable it to accept and verify credit card payments immediately. In many circumstances, we can even integrate the on-line ordering system into to your existing offline order tracking system.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Certificate – If you have an on-line ordering system, you will need to obtain an SSL certificate from one of the authorized providers. Obtaining an SSL certificate will enable you to conduct secure on-line transactions, guaranteeing that your customers will be able to provide credit information without fear of it being intercepted by malicious hackers. Big Giant Media will provide assistance to help you obtain your own SSL certificate.





In addition to website design, development and implementation, Big Giant Media offers several other services to assist you in making your web site a success.

Site Hosting – For an additional fee, Big Giant Media offers web site hosting services including domain name registration and setup, email with up to 15 unique addresses, Cold Fusion servers, MS SQL servers, and e-commerce hosting. Our rates are very competitive, and we offer on-line phone support for our customers who host their new website on our servers. To ensure the most complete post-development support possible, we always recommend that our customers take advantage of our in-house servers.

Search Engine Submission – For an additional fee, Big Giant Media will submit your new website to the appropriate search engines, optimizing your site for ideal placement in each of the top search engines, thereby making certain that your new site will be found quickly and easily by prospective clients. Our initial submission service includes monitoring for 6 months, with two re-submissions as necessary, to ensure your visibility in the top returns of the major search engines.

Additions, Changes, Deletions, Site Maintenance – Big Giant Media will provide modifications and updates to your established site based on an hourly rate of $75.00 per hour. Any implementation not covered in the original proposal will be billed at the standard hourly rate.

Our goal is to make your web development project as pleasant as possible. We know our work doesn’t end when your site is launched. Websites are almost organic, constantly evolving and changing. So you’ll have questions, and we expect that. Don’t hesitate to give us a buzz with any comments or concerns you might have. And down the road, if you decide that your site could use additions or changes, know that the Web Development Team at Big Giant Media is always there to help.