http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/ en john@rockbeatspaper.com Copyright 2010 2010-05-18T15:34:04+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/we-are-launching-new-mobile-services/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/we-are-launching-new-mobile-services/ As web designers and developers, we often consider ourselves to be on the forefront of technology and newness and we hang out with all the cool web kids in the hottest internet spots. So you can imagine the head-scratching that was taking place as Dave and I asked ourselves the following question: "WHY are we not offering any mobile services to our clients??!!" Here we were, two fairly connected and well-informed dudes running a sophisticated web firm that had answers to all of the major concerns that exist within our clients' brains. Simple, elegant and highly usable web sites? Check. Search … News, Mobile 2010-05-18T15:34:04+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/the-problems-with-flash/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/the-problems-with-flash/ Flash development definitely has a place in the world of the web.  While Flash has several beneifts including practically no browser issues, great interactivity and easily handling complex animations, there are many disadvantages to using Flash.  These disadvantages are the reason that we discourage the use of Flash except in cases where it is absolutely the best tool.  Given the advancements that have been made with web standards and javascript libraries, including Jquery and Prototype, there are more alternatives methods to Flash at this time.  Our recommendation has always been to use Flash where it makes sense and stay away from … Development, Miscellaneous 2010-02-22T14:13:41+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/start-with-why-work-from-the-inside-out/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/start-with-why-work-from-the-inside-out/ Simon Sinek is a marketing consultant and author.  He is best known for developing "The Golden Circle," a model based on human decision-making that guides organizations on how to inspire people to buy or support any product, company or idea.  Simon has been invited to talk about this concept across the United States and around the world.  You can view a great video of a recent talk that he gave at the TEDx Puget Sound Conference in September 2009.  In this simple talk, Simon does a great job of detailing "The Golden Circle" concept, explaining the concept behind starting with why … Business, Miscellaneous 2009-12-16T12:47:39+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/our-comment-design-is-hot/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/our-comment-design-is-hot/ Rockbeatspaper was one of many sites featured in a article on hongkiat.com about great comment design.  The article is entitled Comment Design: Considerations, Best Practices and Examples and it goes through several best practices and examples of great comment view and comment form design.  Our site is the first one featured in the part of the article discussing comment view design in general.  We are really happy that our site was featured in an article citing great design and it means alot to us!!  And since they are such big fans of our comment design, we want to hear what you … Design, News, Miscellaneous 2009-12-10T12:51:19+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/above-the-fold-fact-or-fiction/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/above-the-fold-fact-or-fiction/ In the web design industry, "above the fold" is a term commonly used by professionals and clients alike to describe prime content placement.  For those that do not know, above the fold is a graphic design term that refers to the most important content being in the top half of the page or above the fold in a newspaper.  For a long time standing, the standard has been to keep all important information above the fold and is an expected request of the client.  However, recently the concept is becoming more of a myth as users become more accustomed to the … Design, Miscellaneous 2009-10-12T00:09:37+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/content-is-king/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/content-is-king/ Anyone familiar with a creative design project, from print to web-based initiatives, understands that content is king and a major player in the success of a project from the very beginning.  Since our inception at Rockbeatspaper, we have been preaching to our clients the value of content from the beginning of a project, which has been met with mixed responses.  Some clients understand the value of great content and others believe it can play second fiddle to a great design or concept.  So let's set it straight... content is the keystone of a project and everything builds upon its successful creation.  … Design, Development, Miscellaneous 2009-09-01T23:40:18+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/jeff-bezos-quote/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/jeff-bezos-quote/ "If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful."-Jeff Bezos Business, Design 2009-08-19T21:58:34+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/jim-coudal-quote/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/jim-coudal-quote/ "People always ask, ‘What is your greatest failure?’ I always have the same answer—We’re working on it right now, it’s gonna be awesome!" -Jim Coudal Business 2009-08-10T11:39:47+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/pricing-guide/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/pricing-guide/ Design services are like many other industries - you get exactly what you pay for.  A high quality web site is an investment and we strive to make it the best investment possible.  We try not to give ballpark estimates at any time without thoroughly reviewing project scope.  Each project and client is different and has different needs, and can require a different approach.  That being said, we do have a good idea of what our services generally cost and we understand that can be helpful in determining appropriate budgets.  Here are some price ranges for our most common web projects, … Business, Design, Development, Miscellaneous 2009-08-06T15:18:12+00:00 http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/henry-david-thoreau/ http://rockbeatspaper.com/blog/henry-david-thoreau/ Our life is frittered away by detail … simplify, simplify.-Henry David Thoreau Business, Design, Development, Miscellaneous 2009-08-06T15:16:47+00:00