Web Impakt

MacGyver was known for using simple everyday items to solve difficult problems.  For example, MacGyver might use a paperclip, Dixie-cup, lighter fluid, and toenail clippers to create a highly effective booby trap.

Many Web Impakt clients find resourceful ways to solve complicated business problems and processes.  A popular “everyday” item to help them is Microsoft Excel.   Excel, for those of you who just use your computers to read blogs, is a spreadsheet program.  When it was designed, the idea behind it was that it would be used to manage and organize columns of numbers, but Microsoft probably didn’t realize how many MacGyvers had purchased this application, and all of the amazing things they would end up doing with it.  If MacGyver had decided to work at a desk instead of being a troubleshooter for the Pheonix Foundation I’m sure Excel would be his favorite program.    

MacGyver Spreadsheet users set up complicated formulas and color schemes and enter in numbers in just the right way that will allow them to retrieve the desired results.  This works for a while but in time usually becomes too complicated and time-consuming, not to mention the fact that it can be virtually impossible for somebody else to use a spreadsheet without a decoder ring!  That’s where Web Impakt steps in.  We have taken dozens of situations like this and created simple cost effective online programs that will allow our customers to do minimal data entering to receive desired results.  Not only that, but our clients can access these applications anywhere there is an internet connection. 

Contact Web Impakt today for a free quote on what it would take to turn your MacGyver Spreadsheet into a simple, cost-effective, online application.

According to Grow Idaho Falls, 15% of the Idaho Falls population works in the high technology industry.  The national average is only 9%.    Web Impakt wants to help you and your business take advantage of everything that technology can offer.    

Most business owners know that the internet is a great way to connect with customers.  But did you know that your website can also serve you?  Client and employee rosters, invoices, expenses… Any information that is an integral part of your business can be securely accessed anywhere in the world.    The internet is a powerful tool.  If you are a business in Idaho Falls, or anywhere else,  don’t miss out on what being in the heart of the Idaho Technology Corridor can offer.

For more information about Web Impakt, check out the Web Impakt business profile in the Nov/Dec issue of the Idaho Falls Magazine.

A savvy businessman approached me about a website the other day.  He was a specialist in his field and didn’t have time to learn the ways of the web.  That’s why he was inquiring of me.  He needed a website to boost his business to the next level.  I put my price quote together and sent it to him.

His main concern was the monthly web hosting charge.  He didn’t understand what he was getting in return for the monthly hosting charge.  I suspect many people are the same way.  If their expertise is in another field then how would they know what “hosting” was if no one had ever explained it to them.

What is hosting?

According to Wikipedia, a web hosting service allows websites to be accessible via the World Wide Web.  If a website was sitting on my computer there would be no way for someone on the outside of my network to access it.    Therefore, in order to have a website you must have a public host.   

Technically, you could use your own PC as a host if it is connected to a network but it is most common to use an Internet Service Provider.   If you were to host your website on your home PC it would require a permanent high speed connection, server hardware and software.   This W3C schools article explains the different aspects of hosting.

Web Impakt Hosting offers many hosting plans for very little cost.  Each of our hosting plans comes with email, storage, backup and everything you need for your online presence.

One of the foundations of web design are images.  If your images are shabby, your web design will look shabby.  I follow some pretty simple rules when deciding how to save an image for the web.  I choose one of the following three formats:  GIF, JPEG or PNG.

The PNG format (pronounced “PING”) was designed to replace the GIF format.  It supports transparency in most browsers and as browsers continue to evolve it will become the superior image format.

Typically try to use the PNG format instead of GIF.

The GIF format is limited to 256 colors.  It was developed back in the day when a PC could only display 256 colors.    A PNG is 20% smaller than the same GIF image.  One benefit that the GIF format has over PNG is the fact it has animation support. 

Use the GIF or PNG format if your image is a line drawing, simple cartoon or text.

Go here for the W3C quality assurance tips about Gif vs. PNG.

The JPEG format supports full 240 bit color (16 million colors).    Any photographs displayed on your webpage should be saved as a JPG.  One major downfall of the JPEG is that it does not support transparency.    

Use the JPEG format if you are displaying a picture or something without sharp edges.