I'm Bored... & I Want You To Know This

Actually, this is just me buying time, as I can't think of a single thing to put here.... so perhaps I'll just be honest and say that I have absolutely nothing in my head at the moment. There. I Said it.

I'm Back With Firefox... Kind Of...

Yes, it is true. I've preached to everyone I know to use Chrome for over a year now. Before that it was Firefox. But yet again, with the release of Firefox 4, I'm back, baby! This is a bit hypocritical, because I'm actually typing this in Chrome. Hey, I didn't say I only use Firefox.

Ease Of Use

I really enjoy the new layout. It is very simple and user friendly. The back and forward buttons (even though I've give up on using them years ago, and so should you) are in the top url bar, along with the refresh button. With a little customizing, you can have an extremely streamline browser. But when designing, of course, keep in mind that many clients and general browsers will have up to 4 different toolbars. I'm just saying.

Addons

Ok, now this is where Firefox 4 really takes the cake. Again, I love Chrome, but the addons were lacking in several main areas. But before I go into these, please let me predicate that I haven't found addons that would allow this same functionality. If you know of a Chrome addon that does what I've said it couldn't, please let me know, as I'd love to have it.

1. The gesture addons are far superior. They both have the same function in both browsers, but only Firefox gestures allow for non pages to be closed as well. At least from any of the gesture addons that I found. What I mean, is that you can't close out of a settings or tool pages in Chrome. But in Firefox, you can close out of ANYTHING. And I like that! Any time that I don't have to spend hitting a little x in the upper right hand corner, is happy time. And I appreciate happy time.

2. The screen capture addons seem to be lacking in Chrome. I have one in Firefox that I truly enjoy. it is called Awesome Screenshot. And it is, well, awesome. It allows for very easy screen capturing ability along with annotation and simple pasting into Photoshop when I need it. I just couldn't find a robust screen capture addon in Chrome that compares.

Ok, let me also say that there is one addon that you must get if you use Firefox. It's called Xmarks. It keeps all of your favorite links and folders synced to a server via Xmarks. This is very useful, because if you save a link on your home computer, the exact same link will be on your work computer, laptop, etc, when you open it up. This is very handy and has saved me plenty of times. Remember, Xmarks is good, and you must get it. Or don't, and live in the favorites stone age.

Universal & Modern

Firefox 4 can (like Chrome) handle anything you throw at it. It supports all major forms of code, flash and even HTML 5. Well, most of HTML 5. But hey, even most is great! It works very well with Dreamweaver too. As in, earlier browsers would not allow to react to local .php files without an actual server. Well, if you don't count database work, but I digress. The main point here, is that Firefox 4 can hand the job, and keep you on the cutting edge of browser capabilities.

Extremely Customizable 

If you are a crazy custom look guy like myself, you'll LOVE Firefox 4. Pretty much, if you can think of it, you can do it with the sweet mods. Be it new themes or the popular personas, you are sure to enjoy a custom look that will be all your own. Themes have been around for a while, but the new ones are pretty sweet. Check 'em out. And of course, if you like the persona options, there are new additions to them every day. Check them out too. 

What I'm Thinking

Ok, you surely get the gist of what I'm talking about here. I'm back to Firefox 4 over my beloved Chrome. Be it from the easy interface and maneuverability, the superior addon options or the sweet custom look and feels you can create, I'm liking my new change. Until the next version of Chrome comes out. Then I may change my mind. And I'll be sure and let you know all about it. 

You Charge What? Really?

As with every designer, I get asked what I charge per project. Well, as most other designers would agree, "it all depends". And by that, I mean there is much more that goes into a quote than how long it will take. But sometimes, it is just amazing to see how much some folks charge for design and we work. Some charge disproportionately on both ends of the spectrum. Which are you?

What I'm Talking About
Come on. You know what you're worth as a designer. If you are just starting out, don't charge like a professional. If you are a top professional, don't charge like a beginner. And if you're like me, somewhere in the middle, you charge just that. Somewhere in the middle.

Your Work Isn't Worth That Much
When I first started doing design, I read a "how to freelance" book by a chap that had been doing web design for many years. I found that he wasn't exceptionally great at design after I looked up his latest portfolio work. Wait, back up. It's not that he wasn't good, it is just that his design skills were stuck in the early 90s era, where pure HTML sites were top dog, with very minimal graphics or interaction. And what I learned, is that he charged way too much for his work. I'm not saying that he wasn't worth it, provided that he was putting together real money-maker websites for his clients. I'm just saying, that for a purely static site with very minimal graphic design, he was receiving an obscene amount of cash. Are you charging too much?

Your Work Is Worth More Than That

But by that same rationale, I've seen some phenomenal sites and graphics, in which the client payed a fifth of what it was worth. It happens. I know that sometimes you just have to work, no matter what the price. You've got to eat and pay the bills. But, take an honest look at what you do. If you know you're worth more than what is counter offered, simply refuse the work. You must set the precedent of what you are worth. I've learned that the hard way, and been stuck working on low paying projects for way too long. But, if you do work for cheap, ALWAYS put out the best work you can.

What I'm Saying

If you've seen my work, you know it isn't the best out there. But it certainly isn't the worst either. And that is why I charge a proportional amount for my work. But, when work is dry, I must take what I can get, and will work for less than my work is worth. However, if I'm "sitting pretty", I'll turn down work if my quote price is not met. And on the opposite end, I won't quote someone at an unnecessarily exorbitant amount because I know they can get the same thing from a top designer. And you should as well...