Hi Andy!

> I hope you already have realised that the
> generalistions I used were there to create a
> response:-)

Yes, I figured that. *g* When one wants to fish, one has to throw out the bait.

> There is good and bad in all walks of life.
> Most designers are not deliberately
> misleading their clients they are just not
> taking the path that will benefit them most

I think a lot of designers mislead themselves and their clients by their own lack of knowledge. Many actually believe that all they need to know is how to use their software.

I also think that with the frenzy of joint venturing, bartering and such that's out there, people "do" mislead other people to get what they want. Here's a prime example;

I had a lady contact one of my employees. (my perl programmer) and ask her if she'd be interested in doing a freelance job. It seems this woman "traded" services with another company to get some free PR. In exchange, she promised to create their website. Except all she knew how to do was use Frontpage, and the website she needed to create needed a database. So she was trying to find someone to do the work for another trade, so she could have the pr SHE was trading for.

Think that's a remote example? Nope.

I had another "website designer" contact me and ask me "how much" to do her client's website invisibly because she didn't know what those "SSI things" are, and the client wanted hand coded pages and she didn't know how to use anything other than Pagemill.

Then there was the magazine columnist that contacted me and asked me what she could trade me to do her agent's website because she'd traded it in a pr barter, but didn't know how to create a website. Of course, her agent didn't know that.

This crap happens DAILY!

Then there was the owner of a website development company. A big company. The kind that offers flash and all the bells and whistles. He emailed personally to ask me why he wasn't getting anyone signing up for his newsletter. "What newsletter?" I asked, "ther isn't one on your website." Oh yes, the one in the popup, he insisted. Turns out the popup only worked in ONE browser. An OLD version at that. He didn't know that.

> Some are:-) Will you forgive my
> generalistion for the sake of debate?

Of course.

You see, a lot of those "pseudo-designers" are a pain in the neck. Actually the pain is a lot lower than that, but I do like to try watch my manners. *laughing*

But, I am the one that follows those people around the net, cleaning up their mistakes when their customers realize that their websites aren't working. I am the one that listens to people say "but I already PAID to have it done ONCE. Why do I have to pay again? How much will you charge me to fix it up and make it work right?" *sigh*

Sometimes, I can fix it up. Other times, it's cheaper to throw it all away and start fresh.

Incidentally, I'd like to share a tidbit I got in my email yesterday. It made my day.

I got a letter from a client asking for a quote to add additional pages (work samples) to his site. He said...

(quote)
After reviewing sales with our sales force, approximately 75% of our upscale buyers reviewed our web site before buying. Pat on the back for
you.
(unquote)

Incidentally - that's one of the clients that doesn't even HAVE a shopping cart. *laughing*

Have a good one!

Linda




Your image - is my business