Technology Toolbase

• Servers
  • We use the Linux Linux is a software operating system predominantly known for its use on web servers. It is supported by corporations such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat, and Sun Microsystems. operating system running the Apache web server. Web servers are the name given to either the hardware or software that delivers web pages and processes content.
    Apache is a web server notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. This combination has become the standard for large and small websites alike due to their ability to cope under heavy loads. Both Linux and Apache are open source Open Source is a set of principles and practices on how to write software, the most important of which is that the source code is openly available. software meaning that we can benefit from the great deal of freedom offered by developers to use their software. The result has been that both Linux and Apache are developed and maintained by an international community. This allows for the software to be improved at an impressive rate making the web a better place to be. Also any security holes can be fixed very quickly. (See more in the Security section.)
• PHP
  • PHP is a powerful server side language In fact, PHP is known as a 'scripting' language which allows for small tasks to be carried out (such as inserting this bubble tooltip you are reading) as well as the larger database duties. that we use to develop the structure and logic of websites. We use PHP extensively to dynamically manage content, communicate with databases A database is an object that organises and stores information relevant to your web site. Typically they can be used to store customer information, your web pages, page statistics, product information etc. and maintain websites.
• Ruby on Rails
  • Ruby on Rails is a powerful framework offering a complete and agile way of developing websites. One of the philosophies behind Ruby on Rails is that the needs of a web application evolve with time. Traditionally a web developer could be tied into many restrictions laid down in the initial process of developing an application. These restrictions may mean that a simple change may require several code changes in many places increasing the development time. Rails provides a highly configured structure that manages a lot of the low-level Low-level is a term used by programmers to describe an essential task needed to be carried to help another. A simple example: a database connection must be established before a search can be carried out. programming tasks enabling us to focus on the real world objectives at hand. All in all, Ruby on Rails focuses the creativity and flexibility of your application. Websites that use Ruby on Rails include Yellow Pages and Scribd as well as many Facebook applications.
• MySQL databases
  • Many websites rely on a database to store information and content. We choose to use MySQL databases as they perfectly compliment all of the above server-side technologies. MySQL is secure, fast and easily maintainable which performs well under high demands.

Client-side 'Experience'

You may have heard the term Web 2.0. It's name implies that the web has been recreated in some way to include a new technology of some kind. This isn't really the case... at all! Web 2.0 can be more accurately described as a collection of techniques and principles that pull together user-centric applications, interactivity and good web practices. Here are some examples of those techniques and principles ...bearing in mind that these are nothing new to the web..

• CSS- Cascading Style Sheets
  • Before the introduction of CSS, web layouts were implemented in tables and frames. Although there were options for positioning and sizing web pages, it was restrictive and not search engine friendly. CSS offers styling of every element you see on a web page including headings, lists, backgrounds and images. The key benefit of using CSS is that the stylistic elements and layout of a web page are separated from the content itself. This has several advantages:
    • Stylesheets A CSS stylesheet is a file defining all of the styles and layout components on a web page are downloaded and saved (cached) by the client's browser saving bandwidth and disk space on the server as well as speeding up page loading times.
    • Content is more accessible to screen readers, hand-held devices and search engines.
    • A single change to the stylesheet has a global effect across the website.
    • You can create a template layouts for your site for the content to sit in.
• Javascript and AJAX
  • Javascript creates a better visual and aesthetic experience in web browsers. The Web 2.0 paradigm extends the creativity that javascript offers into what is often called AJAX Asynchronous Javascript and XML. AJAX is the term often used referring to the retrieval of content from the server to the client without refreshing the entire page. to deliver information to the browser. The tools that can be created using Javascript include:
    • Visual effects and animation
    • Slideshows, banners and image galleries
    • Provide drag-and-drop functionality
    • Update content and shopping carts seamlessly
    The result of using Javascript and AJAX technologies is a more direct, interactive and graceful experience for the user.
  • Javascript is part of all modern browsers. 95% (as of Feb 2008) of users have Javascript enabled. All of our sites are designed to 'degrade' gracefully so that the 1 in 20 users who don't have javascript enabled can still use the site without detriment to its functionality.
• User interactivity
  • The real power of the web is the ability for two-way communication. Interactive features can actively involve user collaboration such as writing reviews and leaving comments. Many interactive features can be added in a modular fashion. As your website builds over time you may wish to bolt on extra interactive features. This modular approach allows you to remain flexible to user demand and keep costs lower early on.
• RSS and Atom feeds
  • If you publish information on your site that changes over time then 'syndication feeds' are a great way of users subscribing to information updates. News and weather are typical uses of syndication feeds, but even small businesses can benefit from RSS. For example, you may like to publicise events or keep employees informed about company activities.