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4/25/02 - Table issues in Netscape

In addition to the problems with JavaScript and CSS and how the code is rendered in various browsers, tables are also an issue. For example, Netscape requires that there is some kind of content in a cell or the cell will collapse. To avoid this problem you can either use a non-breaking space ( ), or a 1x1 pixel transparent gif in an empty cell. Here is a transparent gif (to download this file, right click the link and select Save Target As and save it) that you can use in your html documents. If you want a cell to be a certain height and width, adjust the image source tags height and width. <img src="spacer.gif" height=30 width=50>

There is a Table FAQ at The Template Store that addresses table issues in more detail. The WDVL has an article on Advanced HTML Tables that describes how table code is rendered in Netscape and IE and some common pitfalls.

4/19/02 - Software Discounts

Students taking classes with ROP qualify for discounts at the following web sites: http://www.academicsuperstore.com, http://www.creationengine.com, & http://www.journeyed.com

3/1/02 - To Use Quotes or Not to Use Quotes

Quotes are used in HTML code whenever an attribute uses any character besides letters, numbers, hyphens or periods. You place quotes around a hyperlink because it uses the : and / characters. You also need to use quotes if the attribute contains spaces.

1/29/02 - Virus Tips- Are viruses just driving you crazy? You don't know what files are safe anymore? Take a look at some of my new virus tips.

1/24/02 - Protecting Images

Question: I'm now working on another page for an artist whom I work with. She really is very talented but she is so worried about her work being stolen. Do you have any Ideas as to how to protect it better than right click protection????

Answer: I have some no-right click scripts on some of my very old pages and they're Watermarked Image worthless....Really just an annoyance, but I've been too lazy to figure out which pages have the script. I use my right click all the time (especially for opening a link in a new window) and I hate it when I can't use that shortcut. Images on a web page are automatically saved into the visitors Windows\Temporary Internet Files folder and can be retrieved any time from there.

Digimarc provides digital watermarking solutions. You can sign up for an account with them and both Photoshop and Paint Shop have tools that allow you to digitally watermark your images (invisible to the naked eye). You can sign up for their MarcSpider service and it will search the Internet for your watermarked images and give you the URL of any sites that it finds that use your images. The problem with this, in my experience, is that if someone grabs your image, alters it, and re-saves it, the watermark disappears.

You could put a visible watermark on your page (see image above), but if people are really determined they will figure out a way to remove it. It also takes away from the quality of the photo/image.

Bottom line, if you're really worried about someone stealing your images, they probably shouldn't go on the net. Sad but true. I always put copyright info at the bottom of my pages. I have links to copyright info on the bottom of this page http://pclab.cccoe.k12.ca.us/webdes/htmlfull.htm

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If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and you're interested in learning more about web design and development, graphics, or computers in general, consider taking classes at the Contra Costa ROP Technology Center. We offer affordable computer training in a variety of subjects. Visit our web site for more information.

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