New Free Font Manager: temporarily load fonts into Windows without installing them

Have you ever wanted to use a font for (say) designing a particular picture but not wanted to install it permanently into your system? The newest addition to the Free Font Managers page lets you do just that. It allows you to temporarily install a font that will be available to all programs running in the system, as long as the manager is active.

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New Free/Open Source Resource Editor for Windows

A new Windows resource editor has been added to the Free Resource Editors, Compilers and Icon Editors. For those unfamiliar with what this is, a resource editor (in this context) is a type of software that lets you create dialog boxes, icons, cursors and other "resources" needed in a Windows program. They are usually used by programmers when they create a program, but can also be used by (say) webmasters to create icons (sometimes known as favicons) for their website.

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The 2030 Self-Driving Car Bet

The 2030 Self-Driving Car Bet

It’s my honor to announce that John Carmack and I have initiated a friendly bet of $10,000* to the 501(c)(3) charity of the winner’s choice:

By January 1st, 2030, completely autonomous self-driving cars meeting SAE J3016 level 5 will be commercially available for passenger use in major cities.

I am betting against, and John is betting for.

The 2030 Self-Driving Car Bet

By “completely autonomous”, per the SAE level 5 definition, we mean the vehicle performs all driving tasks under all conditions – except in the case of natural disasters or emergencies. A human passenger enters the vehicle and selects a destination. Zero human attention or interaction is required during the journey.

The 2030 Self-Driving Car Bet

By “major cities” we mean any of the top 10 most populous cities in the United States of America.

To be clear, I am betting against because I think everyone is underestimating how difficult fully autonomous driving really is. I am by no means against self driving vehicles in any way! I’d much rather spend my time in a vehicle reading, watching videos, or talking to my family and friends… anything, really, instead of driving. I also think fully autonomous vehicles are a fascinating, incredibly challenging computer science problem, and I want everyone reading this to take it as just that, a challenge. Prove me wrong! Make it happen by 2030, and I’ll be popping champagne along with you and everyone else!

(My take on VR is far more pessimistic. VR just… isn’t going to happen, in any “changing the world” form, in our lifetimes. This is a subject for a different blog post, but I think AR and projection will do much more for us, far sooner.)

I’d like to thank John for suggesting this friendly wager as a fun way to generate STEM publicity. He is, and always will be, one of my biggest heroes. Go read Masters of Doom if you haven’t, already!

And while I have you, we’re still looking for code contributions in our project to update the most famous programming book of the BASIC era. Proceeds from that project will also go to charity. 😎

*We may adjust the amount up or down to adjust for inflation as mutually agreed upon in 2030, so the money has the desired impact.

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The Modern Challenges of Starting a Freelance Web Design Business

My career as a freelance web designer began in 1999. In those days, the web was a nascent medium. Most businesses had just begun to have an online presence (if they had one at all). And websites were generally simpler in terms of the technologies they utilized.

Fast forward to today, and the evolution is remarkable. While knowing CSS and HTML are still a requirement, it seems like every other aspect of the job has become more complex. In addition, the marketplace is saturated with competition.

For those looking to start a freelance web design business, the degree of difficulty has never been steeper. Yet the appeal of freelancing hasn’t diminished. Designers are still hoping to reap the many benefits and freedoms that come with the territory.

As a new freelancer, how can you thrive in modern times? Let’s take a look at the challenges you’ll face and how to successfully navigate them.

Client Expectations Are High

In the web’s earliest days, merely having a website was enough for many clients. That doesn’t hold true today.

Clients are more web-savvy than ever. They’ve grown accustomed to shopping on Amazon and navigating various web applications (banking, social media, etc.). As such, they often have a better grasp of the look and functionality they want for their website.

That’s not to say that they necessarily understand what it takes to get the job done. It’s more that their expectations tend to reflect what the giants of the industry are doing. Good or bad, people want what others have.

As a freelancer, part of your job is to understand the project requirements. From there, you’ll need to communicate the pros and cons, along with the best methods for implementation. This is an area where you’re likely to spend a lot of time, making project estimates more difficult.

How to Successfully Navigate the Challenge
Quite often, communication is the key to success when it comes to client expectations. Provide a realistic view of what the project requires and how much it will cost.

It’s also fair to point out any potential issues you foresee. For example, if an expensive feature may not provide much benefit, it’s worth taking the time to explain why. In addition, there could be negative consequences for accessibility that need to be addressed.

This lays a solid foundation for the project and accomplishes two things: It builds trust and helps to manage expectations.

A person looks at a whiteboard.

A Highly-Competitive Marketplace

An organization looking to build a website has more options than ever. There are an untold number of freelancers or agencies to choose from. And if geography isn’t a concern, the possibilities could span the globe.

Then there are a variety of DIY website building products. These providers offer turnkey solutions that don’t necessarily require expertise in web design. Simple websites can be built with minimal effort, although the quality of the finished product can vary. Still, these solutions might be a good fit for those on a limited budget.

If you’re just entering the industry, the competition can feel overwhelming. Standing out among a crowded market is hard to do for industry veterans – let alone for a newcomer.

How to Successfully Navigate the Challenge
This is where specialization comes in handy. It’s not about booking every project – it’s booking the right ones. You don’t need to cover every inch of the marketplace. Instead, carve out your own little corner of it.

Doing so requires a more targeted approach. Find the types of clients and projects that interest you, then market yourself accordingly.

However, it’s worth noting that this is a long-term process. Thus, there’s no need to panic if you aren’t sure what your niche will be. The more experience you gain, the more likely you are to discover the path you want to take.

A crowded sidewalk.

Websites Are Increasingly Complex

Back in the day, it was common for newly-minted freelancers to start with small, low-cost projects. It was a great way to fill out your portfolio before moving on to bigger and better things. That may not be as viable now, thanks to the growing complexity of how websites are built.

Smaller projects still exist. But it’s becoming harder to find ones that will turn a profit and provide equally-valuable experience. Instead of digging into custom code, you’re more likely to spend time tweaking the settings of a WordPress theme and a few plugins.

The other part of the equation is in the mind-boggling number of technologies in use. Content management systems (CMS), static site generators, and JavaScript frameworks seem to grow on trees these days. Every time you turn around, there’s pressure to learn and adapt.

As a solo freelancer, you have only so much time to dedicate to learning. That is if you actually want to make a living in web design. Keeping up with trends is a constant battle.

How to Successfully Navigate the Challenge
The reality is that you don’t need to know everything. And you certainly don’t have to learn all of your skills at once. It’s an ongoing process.

This is another area where specialization pays off. Pick a handful of technologies that interest you (even better if they help you make money). Learn the basics and increase your knowledge as your career advances.

What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to evolve. You might find new tools and techniques that will allow you to continue growing.

Design concept posters on a wall.

How to Meet the Challenges of Today’s Web

The web design industry landscape has changed significantly. Thus, the challenges that go along with starting a freelance business have also ramped up.

Freelancers are entering a mature market, rather than a burgeoning one. Client expectations are higher than ever. Experienced designers and developers, along with DIY website builders, provide stiffer competition. And the technologies involved are vast and increasingly complex.

While it may sound daunting, these are challenges you can meet head-on. The key is in paying attention to the details and planning for where you want to go.

There will undoubtedly be ups and downs. But building a successful freelance web design career is still within reach.

The post The Modern Challenges of Starting a Freelance Web Design Business appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

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