Silkmoth Blog

News, thoughts and ramblings from the Silkmoth team

Responsive design: one size doesn't fit all

Accessing the Internet whilst on the move is becoming increasingly popular and, with the recent proliferation of mobile devices including iPads, tablets and smartphones, this trend looks set to accelerate. So in order to remain competitive, web site owners must rapidly adapt in order to respond to user’s preferences.

Suiting the viewer

Traditionally, websites would have one design layout for computer screens and another for mobiles; often requiring the user to access a separate website.  Now, with a multiplicity of screen sizes and with displays that adapt to device orientation, users are rightly demanding a more responsive functionality.

Key messages

In order to meet these demands, modern websites must incorporate Responsive Design; where the HTML responds to the viewer’s screen and adjusts both the display layout and content in order to give priority to the best presentation of what the website owner considers to be the key messages.

See for yourself

Silkmoth are leading the way in the implementation of this technology and indeed the website you are now viewing incorporates Responsive Design; try re-sizing the browser window or view the website on another device such as a tablet or smartphone and you’ll see the process in action.

Clearly superior

Responsive design also responds to higher resolution displays by adjusting the website resolution accordingly. It is ideal for e-Commerce in that it enables items to be turned on and off as required and is a boon for B2B e-commerce businesses with the problems of leap-frogging obsolete technologies.

Development Roundup

It's been a while since we've had a good old round-up post. But fear not, there's plenty to talk about.

New Sites Launched

We've been hard at work building and developing some brand new sites:

• EmsPT - Enterprise Manufacturing Systems
  A website offering the latest information and resources regarding manufacturing companies operational and performance issues.
• Cloud Spend Management
  A child site of Compleat Software, offering Purchase-to-Pay software and information.
• Pour Moi?
  An e-Commerce website specialising in lingerie, nightwear and swimwear.

Sites Relaunched and Revamped

We've also been busy overhauling and bringing sites bang up to date:

• Manning Elliott Architects
  Complete re-skin of the chartered architects, designers and masterplanners website.
• Chronicle Series
  We've overhauled the Chronicle Series website adding eCommerce functionality and other features that make full use of the Kentico CMS.
• Motoring Lawyers
  We've developed a fresh new look for the Motoring Lawyers website, who specialise in motoring law and driving offences.

Cookie Law - No Signs of Crumbling

What's Changing?

Changes to the EU Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 mean that use of cookies on your website (what are cookies?) is subject to the following new rules:

1. Each site visitor "is provided with clear and comprehensive information about the purposes of the storage of, or access to, that information;" and
2. "Is given the opportunity to refuse the storage of or access to that information"

So, in essence, if your website uses cookies (and it's a 99.9% certainty that your website does use cookies) then you need to ask your visitors for permission before allowing them to access the site's pages.

What Are Other Websites Doing?

A lot of website owners are keeping their powder dry.  The kind of changes the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) would like to see will have an impact on the usability of a website.  If somebody chooses to opt-out of cookies most eCommerce sites will fail.

So most companies are waiting until it's absolutely necessary before making the changes, probably on May 25th!

It's therefore quite difficult to see what works well and what doesn't work so well because there's relatively few live examples.  The EConsultancy site has a good discussion on three possible approaches and their pros and cons.

What Approach Do Silkmoth Recommend?

First of all the regulations require two things.  The first, and easiest thing, is to update your privacy policy to describe each of the cookies used on your website.  You can pick & mix from the following.

Google Analytics

Just about every one of the site's built by Silkmoth uses Google Analytics to anonymously track visitor behaviour.

If your site uses Google Analytics add the following to your privacy policy:

Cookie Type	Cookie Name	Purpose	More Information
Google Analytics	__utma __utmb __utmc __utmz	These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the site, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited.	Click here

Wirenet Sites

If your site is a legacy Wirenet site add the following to your privacy policy:

Cookie Type	Cookie Name	Purpose	More Information
Essential Site Cookie	ASP.NET_SessionId	This cookie is essential for the site to operate. It is used to track information about the decisions you make during your visit.	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	PAGEATTEMPTS	This cookie is set by our content management system. It is used as part of a mechanism to prevent the site from being abused by spambots.	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	PAGETIME	This cookie is set by our content management system. It is used as part of a mechanism to prevent the site from being abused by spambots.	Click here

Kentico Sites

If your site is built on the Kentico content management system you should add the following to your privacy policy:

Cookie Type	Cookie Name	Purpose	More Information
Essential Site Cookie	ASP.NET_SessionId	This cookie is essential for the site to operate. It is used to track information about the decisions you make during your visit.	Click here
Essential Site Cookie	ASPXFORMSAUTH	This cookie is essential for the site to operate. It is used to track a logged in user between page requests so that they don't have to login each time.	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	CMSPreferredCulture	Your preferred culture	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	CMSPreferredUICulture	Your preferred user interface culture	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	ViewMode	Your view mode - determines what elements of the website you see based on your login credentials	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	VisitorStatus	Whether you are a first-time or repeat visitor	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	CurrentVisitStatus	Your visitor status for the current day	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	CMSShoppingCart	The identity of your shopping basket - ensures you don't add an item to somebody elses basket.	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	CMSMobileRedirected	Whether or not you are using a mobile phone to view the site - helps display appropriately sized content	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	CurrentTheme	Which themed version of the site you are using	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	Campaign	Identity of the campaign that brought you to the site	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	UrlReferrer	The website you clicked on to visit this website (usually a search engine reference)	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	DisplayContentInDesignMode	Whether or not you have the ability to make design updates to the website - restricted to the site owner	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	FormState	Used to determine if a web form's state needs to be restored	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	VotedPolls	A list of polls you have voted on - prevents you from voting multiple times	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	DocRated	A list of documents you have rated - prevents you from rating a document multiple times	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	PostAnswer	Supports the forum user interface	Click here
Content Management System Cookie	UserWords	A list of words you've added to the dictionary. Supports the spell checker	Click here

Getting Permission

Once you've updated your Privacy Policy the next step is to seek permission on your site. We've used a mechanism called Cookie Control provided by Civic. We can't guarantee that it's fully compliant with the law but until there's some case law to backup the regulations we don't think anyone is completely clear on what compliance looks like.
 

Your Next Step

The information provided here is for guidance only.  We can't guarantee that by following these instructions you will be compliant with the new laws.

Silkmoth will help to make any changes to your site that you require but the instructions must come from you and compliance remains your responsibility.

Fit For Task

Silkmoth have launched a major overhaul of Constructing Better Health's Construction Health Action Toolkit (CHAT).

The new service, aimed at the construction industry, allows employers to monitor and manage the health of their workers.  It is anticipated that the system's capacity will grow to manage around 2 million workers over the next few years.

Silkmoth's Technical Director, Carl Dean, said "a year in the making, CHAT2 has been the largest and most complex project undertaken by Silkmoth. We've built a very close relationship with Constructing Better Health and their customers and are proud to be part of what will become a significant and nationally important occupational health service."

It's That Time Again!

Joined by our Senior Developer Mike, this year's festive elves have all joined Silkmoth in 2011.  Simon, Gary, Matt and Sam have all helped Silkmoth turn in a great year in difficult times.

Silkmoth will be closed over the Christmas period from 12:30 23rd December to 09:00 3rd January.

From everybody at Silkmoth have a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.