Quality Assurance

Dear Readers,

My approach to web design is simple: I think of the reader - All the time...


Fast Host:

Firstly, I've uploaded all my webpages on Blogger, who appear affiliated with Google. (Google themselves provide the fastest servers for searching and distributing information on the internet - as far as I know).

Optimized HTML Pages:

I understand not everyone has high-speed internet. So, I've made the pages load as fast as possible. And even readers with high-speed connections will not be waiting for over-complex pages to load on my site. I look for new ways to optimize and edit "code" (the HTML your browser reads) all the time. If you're interested in technical information, I've provided a Tech Log that charts the development of Glittering Prose.

Site Browser "Compliance":

I recommend Mozilla Firefox (the latest version) to view pages on Glittering Prose, for the simple reason it appears to display pages, photos and text more quickly on my particular machine. However, I'm aware readers may prefer Opera, MS Internet Explorer or other browser software to visit and enjoy my site. Therefore I'll be testing page "loading" and "rendering" on all the PC browsers known to me. I won't have the time to test on Android "native browsers" or browsers for other "handheld devices", unless a large enough number of visitors tell me it's crucial. Sorry.

Test results for browsers will be posted on my Tech Log.

 Security For My Readers:

All files on my site are screened with Avast Antivirus Engine before upload. I chose Avast because it regularly updates its AV database every time I connect to the internet. It also blocks harmful pages before I can visit them, minimizing the risk that "stealth" viruses hiding on my machine will be uploaded to Glittering Prose without my knowledge.

Link Management:

I vet links (to other sites) very carefully. You won't be taken off to virus-loaded pages ever on my site. There are no irritating "re-directs" either. Where possible, I always ask site owners if I can link to their pages. You'll also never find an irritating "dead link" that takes you nowhere. Links are tested regularly for "live status" on Glittering Prose.

Commercial Considerations - Putting My Readers First:

I'm a writer attempting to support other writers and readers. My mission is to keep this site free of irrelevant ads, allow everyone to visit without unnecessary registration, avoid clandestine or "soft" marketing ploys and generally steer-clear of manipulative sales practices. I don't believe readers should be subjected to this nonsense.

Since I produce new literary works, I shall showcase these free. Any full story I produce will be offered via a secure payment processor (that has been thoroughly vetted and tested). All full literary works offered will be produced for all popular operating systems made to the highest software standards available.

If I come across free, or low-cost products and services that benefit readers and writers in astonishing ways, I will review that product or service stringently, working with the vendor who must show they are willing to engage with customers. But would you believe it? I have not come across such a product or service like that to date.

On Site Javascript / ActiveX Controls:

Javascript is a scripting language (a kind of code) that provides useful functions on websites. ActiveX is similar to javascript, amounting to a competing set of functions introduced by Microsoft Corporation in 1996. It's best to have the latest Java Virtual Machine running on your PC. It can be found here. 

The only javascript "applet" running on my site is "Google Friends Connect". This should make it easy for contributors to leave comments, or follow my site if they wish. As far as I know, no ActiveX controls run on my site at all. (This is because they can be exploited by hackers). I need to do further testing on this, using different browsers to ensure I have full control of the code. I will report back with the findings on my Tech Log.

Happy surfing. Did I miss something? Comments and ideas welcomed.