A Beginner’s Guide to the Server

Even if you focus primarily on what’s commonly referred to as “front-end” web development—HTML documents and web graphics—the server and the way it is configured may impact the way you work. In most cases, there is no way to avoid making first-hand contact with the server, even if it’s just to upload files.

For this reason, all web designers should have a basic level of familiarity with servers and what they do. At the very least, this will enable you to communicate more clearly with your server administrator. If you have permission for greater access to the server, it could mean taking care of certain tasks yourself without needing to wait for assistance.

This section provides an introduction to server terminology and functions, basic Unix commands, and file (MIME) types. It also discusses uploading files and setting permissions, which designers often need to do.

Servers 101

A server is any computer running software that enables it to answer requests for documents and other data. The programs that request and display the documents (such as a browser) are called clients. The terms “server-side” and “client-side,” in regard to specific functions like imagemaps, refer to which machine is doing the processing. Client-side functions happen on the user’s machine; server-side functions occur on the remote machine.

Web servers answer requests from browsers (the client program), retrieve the specified file (or execute a CGI script) and return the document or script results. Web browsers and servers communicate via the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

Selecting Fonts for Web Pages

Each platform has its own set of standard fonts (and font file formats), making it difficult to specify any one font that will be found universally. Although there are many commercial fonts available for both Mac and PC, you can’t assume that your audience will have them. The majority of users are likely to be content with the collection of fonts that are installed with their systems or packaged with software such as Internet Explorer.

Fonts for the Web from Microsoft
The problem with reading text on web pages is that many fonts (most notably the ubiquitous Times) are difficult to read at small sizes without the aid of antialiasing. The serifs that aid readability in print are actually a hindrance when rendered with a limited number of black and white pixels. Responding to the need for fonts that are easy to read on the screen, Microsoft has created a collection of TrueType fonts (for both Windows and Mac) that have been specially designed to be optimized for on-screen viewing. They are distributing them for free with the hope that they might grow to be standard and “safe” fonts to specify in web documents. The Microsoft web fonts currently include:

Arial
Comic Sans
Courier New
Georgia
Impact
Times New Roman
Trebuchet MS
Verdana
Webdings (Windows only)

These fonts have generous character spacing, large x-heights and open, rounded features that make them better for online reading. Georgia and Verdana were designed by esteemed type designer Matthew Carter, with hinting provided by Vincent Connare (who also designed Comic Sans and Trebuchet MS).

The complete set of Core Fonts for the Web is available for free download at http://
www.microsoft.com/typography/free.htm.

Embedded Fonts
Both Netscape and Internet Explorer support technologies for embedding fonts in a web page, enabling your viewers to see your page exactly as you have designed it. Because the font travels with the HTML file, it is not necessary for the user to have the font installed on the client end in order for specified fonts to display. Not surprisingly, Netscape and Microsoft have lined up with competing technologies.