Archive for June, 2008:

July Desktop Wallpaper

June 30th, 2008 No Comments   Posted in Desktop Wallpapers

The 18 Visions Design “July Desktop Wallpaper” is now available. This month’s theme is “USS Arizona”. The photo featured in this month’s version was recently taken by Jason Feaga while vacationing in Oahu, Hawaii. The USS Arizona Memorial (USAR) is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941 when their ship was bombed by the Japanese Naval Forces. This loss of life represents over half of the Americans killed on this “Day of Infamy”, the worst naval disaster in American History.

Thanks to the thousands of individuals and organizations that have joined the Arizona Memorial Museum Association, AMMA has been able to expand its financial support for National Parks throughout the Pacific region. Donations have helped to honor veterans of the War in the Pacific at ceremonies and special events in Hawaii, on Guam, and Saipan, provided essential funds for restoration of historic architecture at Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai, and contributed to the preservation and protection of one of America’s most revered memorial sites at Pearl Harbor. To learn more about AMMA please visit www.arizonamemorial.org

We provide a variety of sizes, you can download the latest wallpaper by selecting your resolution 1280×1024 or 1024×768. Check back at the beginning of each month to view the latest “Desktop Wallpapers”. If you are looking for a past design or have a design suggestion you would like to see, contact us and your idea could end up in the next edition!


To Flash or not to Flash

June 18th, 2008 No Comments   Posted in Tech News

There a number of things to consider when deciding to add flash to your site and this article aim to answer your questions about the dilemma of using Flash or not. Some of you may be thinking, what is Flash? In its simplest form, Flash is what is used to add animation to your site and can be used as either a part of your site or to create your entire site.

What are the Advantages of Flash?

  • Eye Catching – Flash can be used to make your site come alive and so keeping visitors on your site for longer. The best way to describe this is by considering the difference between a magazine advert and a television advert. There is so much more you can do with the television advert to grab people’s attention then you can with a picture in a magazine.
  • Compatibility – Flash is compatible with over 99% of web browsers and so you do not have to worry about people being able to view your page. There is also only one source for a flash player making things simpler.
  • Memorable – You can make your site more memorable by adding fun and interactive elements. These can either be in the form of a video with sound or by having a game that people can play on your site.
  • Get your message across – if you have a presentation that you want people to see or something you want people to remember about your company, Flash is a very powerful tool for this.

What are the Disadvantages of Flash?

  • Slow Loading Time – Accessing a site with Flash involves a user having to download a file; depending on the speed of the visitor’s connection this can take some time. This could cause people to leave your site before it has fully loaded up.
  • Search Engines - the biggest problem with Flash is that search engines cannot view it as it is a picture rather than text and search engines cannot see they can only read. This could significantly affect your placing in the search engine rankings which will reduce the number of visitors finding your site.
  • Reduces Usability – If your site is made completely in Flash then users will not be able to use the back button on your site which people can find annoying and may cause them to leave your site early.
  • Accessibility – to be able to view Flash your users will need to have a plug-in installed, many companies and people do not allow the installation of this plug-in and so some people may not be able to access the Flash elements of your site.

Conclusion
Flash should be used only when it is needed, for example a site made completely in Flash should be reserved for photography sites or those that are used for promotion. It is also not a bad thing to have some Flash on your site and the best way to utilize it is to have a small amount embedded throughout the site.

-PromotionWorld, Mercedes Aspland (April, 2008)


NFL Revises Logo

June 4th, 2008 No Comments   Posted in Famous Logo Series

The National Football League is launching a makeover of its red, white and blue “NFL Shield” logo that adorns everything from player jerseys to fan T-shirts and hats.

The league has created a leaner, meaner version of the iconic logo that debuted at the NFL draft in April, 2008. The revamped shield is slightly taller and thinner, with a new football, fewer stars and darker colors, says Lisa Baird, the NFL’s senior vice president of marketing. The redesign marks the first changes to the shield since 1980.

The new shield features eight stars (representing the eight AFC and NFC divisions) vs. 25 on the current logo. Why 25? It’s a mystery. After researching the shield’s origins, the designers could find no reason for 25 stars, says Jaime Weston, director of brand and creative operations. The shield logo was first used around 1940, two decades after the NFL’s founding in 1920.


Creekside Suites & Conference Center website launch

June 2nd, 2008 No Comments   Posted in Site Launches

18 Visions Design is excited to announce the launch of the Creekside Suites & Conference Center web site. Creekside Suites & Conference Center is located in downtown Frederick, Maryland. Their executive office suites provide a professional atmosphere with the latest in technology available for the operation of any business. You can contact their offices for more information and schedule a personal tour of the facility.

To view the new site visit http://www.cspscc.com/