How We Created This Web Site

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Standards Compliant Design |
Server, Software & Fonts

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Server, Software & Fonts

Server Side

All pages are generated by a simple PHP template system that we developed, to ensure consistency and ease of updating. Some content is stored in a MySQL database, and navigation links are dynamically generated to suit the page in question, as are meta tags and such like. The server runs Redhat Linux and Apache.

Before pages are served up, we try to detect whether the visitor's browser is standards-compliant and can understand application/xhtml+xml.

Web Design & Development Software

This site was coded entirely by hand, using the following software:

Zend Development Environment — the majority of the coding;
TopStyle 3 Pro — for painless CSS editing;
NoteTab Light — freeware text editor for minor edits;
Photoshop CS — assorted pixel-pushing;
Fireworks MX — various graphics and image optimisation;
WS_FTP Pro — for uploading to the server.

Out of the Trees Font

The font used in all the graphics is Meta, designed by Eric Spiekermann. Meta is based on the typeface comissioned by the German Post Office (Bundespost) in 1984 as an exclusive corporate font. However the face was not accepted by them and the whole project was cancelled. In 1989 its artwork was digitized and the new face was created by Just van Rossum. It was named FF Meta, after Meta Studio in which the new typeface was used exclusively. Meta has been used for the setting of ID magazine (the leading US publication for communication design, not the British style magazine!). We chose this typeface for this site because it retains all of its character even at low resolutions, such as on screen.

Suggestions Box

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding accessibility or techniques used, or if you cannot view this site properly, please contact us and we'll try to help.