1.1) What is CGI (Common Gateway Interface)? Why is CGI so widely used in advanced web page design? 

1.2) What is ASP (Active Server Page)? What is JSP? What do they do on web page?

1.3) What is CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)?

1.4) What is VBScript and how is it different from JavaScript and JScript?

1.5) Why is that I can see objects moving or animation graphics on my own PC but not on my office's computer?

1.6) What are Cookies? Are they bad? How can I prevent them from getting into my pc system?

2.1) Why should I put my company web on a Web-hosting company like Sim's Tech instead of a local ISP (Internet Service Provider)?

2.2) Why does Sim's Tech offer "Free Hosting"?  Is it a gimmick?  What is the catch?

3.1) What is streaming video and how is it different from the traditional video format found on the web?

3.2) The streaming video does not offer the quality of image that I want, does it mean that our company should not bother to try streaming video at all?

3.3) What does a user need in order to see the streaming video our company has created on our web site?

3.4) What is Flash and Shockwave?

4.1) If our company wants to use e-Commerce, i.e., allows our customers to buy our products and services through the Internet and to pay the bill through credit cards, what do I need?

4.2) What is SET?

4.3) What is SSL?

Answers

(1)    Regarding Web Design

1.1)    What is CGI (Common Gateway Interface)?

The CGI is a standard for external gateway programs to interface with information servers such as Hyper Test Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Web servers.  It permits interactivity between a client and a host operating system through the world wide web via the HTTP.  A CGI program is executed in real-time by the web server so that it can output dynamic information to the user.  Hence, it has many useful and/or interesting applications that web designers can make use of.  CGI can be written in any language which produces an executable file like C, C++, Perl, etc. and has been applied in UNIX systems for a long time.
(Refer to www.wdvl.com/Authoring/Style/Sheets/Cascading.html)
When your web site is hosted at Sim's Tech web servers, you will have your own local CGI directory for full manipulation.

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1.2)     What is ASP (Active Server Page)? What is JSP? What do they do on web page?

ASP is a technology created by Microsoft for the their web product Internet Information Server (IIS).  It functions like the CGI in UNIX environment and outputs real-time result to the users.  Since IIS and ASP run on Windows NT Server, web developers are limited to using NT platform as their web servers while the majority of ISPs (Internet Service Provider) use UNIX/Linux as their web servers.   Like CGI, ASP is also language-independent.  You can use traditional programming language like C++ or scripting language like VBScript, JScript and JavaScript to develop ASP.
Whenever you see pages with the extension ".asp", that means the page is an Active Server Page and the web server supports ASP functions.
JSP (Java Server Page), also a server-side technology, was developed by Sun Microsystems as an alternative to Microsoft's ASP, i.e, a competitive programming script/language. While they serve similar functions, JSPs are not restricted to any specific platform or server. 

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1.3)      What is CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)? 　

Traditionally, HTML is used to send static data, and hence has no fancy layout inherited onto it.   However, as Internet becomes more commercialized, "active" and "interactive" web pages are found in the majority of web sites.  Cascading Style Sheet, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), is a Style Sheet language that offers powerful and manageable way for web designers, authors, and artists to create the visual effects they want, including margins and indents, line spacing and length, background images and colors, fonts, font sizes, and much more.  With CSS, you can position objects precisely, and control the look of the website all from a single file.  Currently, most browsers like MS Internet Explorer 3 (and beyond) and Netscape Navigator 4 (and beyond) implement and support CSS.
(For reference, refer to http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/css/ or http://www.cnet.com/Content/Builder/Authoring/CSS.)

CSS, along with the use of JavaScript, is used to enhance multimedia effect in a HTML document.   This enhanced HTML is sometimes called DHTML (Dynamic HTML).  Sim's Tech also uses CSS is a number of ways, including the changing of icons' shape and color, moving layers, flying objects, etc.  For example, (1) if you have been to the photography section, you will find a scrolling (moving up) text in the middle of the page.  You can stop the scrolling action simply by placing your mouse cursor over the text itself.   Once you move the mouse cursor, the text will start scrolling again.  (2) In Web Demo 3 - Furniture page, you can actually move the furniture objects around (by drag and drop) and place them wherever you want.  (3) On the first Internet Services page, the door opening mechanism is also done by applying the same JavaScript with CSS concept.

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1.4) What is VBScript and how is it different from JavaScript and JScript? 　

VBScript is developed from the popular Object-Oriented programming language Visual Basic family from Microsoft.  Due to the success of JavaScript (developed by Netscape) in the HTML world, Microsoft had tried to launch "JScript" to compete with JavaScript.  However, the result was far from satisfactory due to the features and compatibility of JScript.  So Microsoft launched VBScript, a much more powerful and user-friendly scripting language (Hence, it is sometimes called the scripting version of Visual Basic programming language.). VBScript also uses object-oriented concept, but without the Class and Inheritance property of its "parents" C/C++. VBScript resembles JavaScript in many areas, for example, they both run on Virtual Machine inside the browser; they both can "merge" into HTML language; they both have high network security; and they are both widely used by webmasters all over the world.  Last, but not least, VBScript works ONLY on IE while JavaScript works on BOTH browsers. This distinctive difference might somehow reduce the interest of new web programmers to learn VBScript.

One more thing: JavaScript is NOT the short form of Java! (although both are developed based on C) Despite the analogous spelling of the two, they are different.  As mentioned before, JavaScript is developed by Netscape while Java is developed by Sun Microsystems.  Java is made by creating " .class " files and is much more powerful than JavaScript, which is a script/batch language written directly inside a HTML document.  (VBScript and JavaScript are both employed by Sim's Tech on our web design for corporation.  They are used in many ways like data entry validation, animation, DHTML, and enhanced multimedia features. However, when VBScript is written on the client side, only Internet Explorer is supported. And, due to the early existence and acceptance of JavaScript in the web development world, our own web pages use it extensively. For example, you may press this button: to test.)

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1.5) Why is that I can see objects moving or animation graphics on my own PC but not on my office's computer? 　

There are two main types of browsers: Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape's Navigator (NS). They behave slightly different to web page. In addition, each browser has its own settings on different features.  In general, your browser will allow you to see animation Gif file/graphics (load graphics enabled), moving objects (JavaScript enabled), advanced graphics (Java enabled), etc.  But in certain environment, like in your office, your system administrator might have those features disabled so that you cannot see objects moving as you experienced at home.

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1.6) What are Cookies? Are they bad? How can I prevent them from getting into my pc system? 　

Cookies are a mechanism which server side connections (i.e. the web server that sends out the info/data) can use to both store and retrieve information on the client side of the connection (i.e. your PC). With this piece of  simple and persistent client-side state, it extends the capabilities of Web-based client/server applications. It has many real-life applications, such as shopping cart system, registration that remember your password so that you don't have to re-type it every time you enter the site, interactive site can give you content you like to see by "knowing" your surfing habit, etc. 　 Cookie is therefore, a tool to be used between the server and client. Hence, there should not be classified as good or bad. Nevertheless, some webmasters use cookies to trace their visitors and collect information from these visitors without the knowledge of the latter. Such actions pose numerous security problems to many visitors. You can prevent this from happening by disable the cookie parameter in your browser. Go to Netscape's Preference or Tools in Internet Explorer and change the setting or parameter there. However, by doing this you will not be able to visit many web sites because cookies are used extensively in many portals and major web sites.

Another way to minimize cookies' potential threat is to use preventive software to clean, wipe out or monitor those cookies that will be or have been hiding in your PC. 

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(2)     Regarding Web Hosting

2.1) Why should I put my company web on a Web-hosting company like Sim's Tech instead of a local ISP (Internet Service Provider)? 　

The name ISP implies that the company provides Internet access to corporate and/or individual.  Web hosting is just another service that an ISP might offer.   Hence, as far as technology is concerned, everyone that processes the know-how (and of course, the necessary equipment) can provide web hosting service to the public.   However, in order to compensate for their higher expenses, most ISPs have their web hosting charges on the high side. (At the beginning of 2002, it is still common for them to charge HK$200 per month for a 30MB space.)  Our presence tells the public that web hosting CAN be a lot cheaper, with NO sacrifice on technical and service quality.

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2.2) Why does Sim's Tech offer "Free Hosting"?  Is it a gimmick?  What is the catch? 　

Internet, due to the immense participation of the whole world, is rapidly changing.   Sim's Tech believes that web hosting is one basic feature on the Internet that most corporate and individual can enjoy for free.  Therefore, for some budget-minded corporate which require only those basic features for their web sites, Web Redirection can be their solution!  With this method, no monthly charge will be imposed upon our client. However, "Free Hosting" is only available to those who use our web design service. Up to 2002, we have more than 20 clients enjoying free web hosting services. 

On the other hand, if you are looking for some advanced features like e-commerce, database to show hundreds of products online, your own search engine, streaming video, etc., you will have to go for the "charged" web hosting services.

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(3)    Regarding MultiMedia Plugins 　

3.1) What is streaming video and how is it different from the traditional video format found on the web?

There are many types of video format in the market.  However, the most common ones found in the Internet arena includes AVI for Windows, MPEG for all platforms, and QuickTime MOV for Mac and Windows.  These formats, all with their own compression schemes (called codec) are designed for optimal quality, and are NOT suited for streaming.  Streaming, on the other hand, is the ability to start processing data, before all of it has arrived.  A 30 min. audio recording can take up several MB, and no one wants to wait 20 or more min. to hear an audio clip. So streaming audio was invented.  

The same concept applies to video. Digital video files require anywhere from 90k to 1Mb per second, depending on compression.  The higher the quality, the larger the file size.  Currently, there are at least four formats that are specifically designed for streaming video over the Internet over low bandwidth (28.8k to 56k modems): VIVOActive, VDOLive, RealNetwork's RealVideo, and the late but powerful comer Microsoft's Media Player (currently version 7)
. 

Each of the above player has its own codec format and its video can only be viewed by the same client. Due to the acceptance of RealVideo in the market, Sim's Tech offers RealVideo (from RealNetworks) as the streaming video format.   In order to view the streaming video, you have to have the "RealPlayer" plugin (or its latest version, named "RealPlayer 8 Basic").  It is a FREE (not a shareware nor time-limited version) program that enables users to see the streaming video from the Internet (Not to confuse with their Pay Version: RealPlayer 8 Plus, just choose the Free version to download.).  For simplicity, we assume that users are using 56K (or V.90) modem to view the video. Even if viewers are using slower modem (like 28.8K or 36.6K), they can still see the video clip, only there might be occasionally "network congestion" such that viewers have to wait a few more seconds for the clip to download and for buffering.

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3.2) The streaming video does not offer the quality of image that I want, does it mean that our company should not bother to try streaming video at all?

Streaming video is a compromise between video quality and downloading time.  If it is the first time you experienced streaming video from our web site, you might be discouraged by the "fair" quality of the image it produced.  But remember that the instance video is produced through a tremendous high compression format.  As the web continues to grow at an incredible rate, technology continues to grow with it.   At the same time, more and more people are using broadband to access Internet. Video quality thus is believed to improve with time.  But you can still do great impression jobs by today's technology.  With streaming video, your web site will become a true multimedia content-rich entity.  Consider the following ways:

(i) Video can be used to welcome your visitors to your website.

(ii) Video can be used to demonstrate the products and explain services more clearly than some pure photos.

(iii) Video can be used to show presentations on the Internet. That is, you can create your own commercials just like those that would be shown on television.

Hence, streaming video is an extra feature that might be found in your company web site.  Viewers can choose whether they want to see the video clip or not.  During our promotional period, Sim's Tech offers a FREE video clip production (about 30 sec) for our web design and hosting package. Please call or email us for details.

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3.3) What does a user need in order to see the streaming video our company has created on our web site?

Since the streaming video used by Sim's Tech is RealVideo format, user must have to have "RealPlayer 8"  installed in user's PC before he can see the video. However, all major browsers, including Netscape and Internet Explorer, come with RealPlayer built-in in their latest version. So, many users do not have to do anything before they can enjoy streaming video. The following installation guide is intended to be read by those who are using some older versions of browsers. Install RealPlayer is quick and easy. Follow the following steps:

1) Go the site http://www.RealNetworks.com and download the file RealPlayer. (The instructions somehow seem confusing and may lead you to subscribe the enhanced version called "RealPlayer Plus". Unless you want to buy "Plus" which has more controllable features over the incoming video, otherwise Basic version is absolutely free and can also do the job. Hence, just find the "RealPlayer Basic" and click the download button.) 

2) Since the video produced is in the latest format, the previous version of RealPlayer like version 4/5 is NOT fully compatible with its current counterpart. Hence, it is time for you to update your old version from RealNetworks with this new version.

3) Follow the installed instruction and the RealPlayer will be installed in your browser's plug-in directory. If you have 2 browsers in the PC (Internet Explorer and Netscape), you can choose to install the RealPlayer to run in both environments.

4) In case you do have problems installing the program, give us a call or write us a email at
info@sims-tech.com.

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3.4) What is Flash and Shockwave?

"Flash" and "Shockwave" are both multi-media players developed by Macromedia. The Flash Player is designed to display high-impact Web sites, combining elegant vector graphics, sound, and interactivity into overall user interface and site navigation. Currently, Flash is in its version 5. At the same time, its competitor Adobe has its competitive product "LiveMotion 2" to capture the ever-increasing 2D animation market. 

The Shockwave Player allows Internet surfers to view new forms of entertainment on the Web.  Many new  entertaining Web applications are delivered with the Shockwave Player, such as games, music, rich-media chat, interactive product demos, and e-merchandising applications. Since both Flash and Shockwave adopted the "open standard" in development, most operating systems like Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP, Apple Macintosh System 8, Netscape 4+, Internet Explorer 4+, etc., all have Flash (version 3 or above) and Shockwave Player built-in. In case you can't find them or you want to upgrade it to a newer version (like Flash 4 Player), you can download them absolutely free from the Internet. 

Then, should I have "Flash" in my company web pages? It depends! Like all other plug-in features, Flash adds extra files into your web pages and takes longer to download. For frequent viewers to your web site, it becomes boring for them to see the Flash effects again and again. So, it is highly recommended that if you do want to add Flash, you provide a "skip" command so that viewers can choose to skip the animated graphics and directly go to the pages they want to be.

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　 (4)    Regarding e-Commerce 　

4.1) If our company wants to use e-Commerce, i.e., allows our customers to buy our products and services through the Internet and to pay the bill through credit cards, what do we need? 　

E-Commerce is a broad and fast-evolving area on the web. Currently, you need to have at least these two different elements in place: 1. You need to build a form on your site that customers can use to place their orders. It can be simply done by using FrontPage Form Toolbar or by applying some tailor-made "shopping cart" applications. 2. You need to have a credit card merchant account with a bank. 　 Except for item 2 which involves a bank, Sim's Tech offers solutions to provide a total solution to you.

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4.2) What is SET? 　

Internet or electronic transactions need to be safe for all parties involved. Consumers need to be able to do business securely with any merchant. Banks want to be able to provide Internet payments services for any merchant. And, of course, merchants want to make sure their investment in payment solutions will work with their bank's Internet payment solution. 　 In order to achieve the above security measure, a protocol known as SET (Secure Electronic Transaction) are defined and developed by MasterCard International and VISA International. Besides having a strong 1024-bit encryption algorithm, its benefit over existing security systems is the addition of Digital Certificates that associate the cardholder and merchant with their financial institutions and the respective payment brands. (Refer to http://www.setco.org) SET involves the following 3 parties (may involve other institute in the background but ignored here for simplicity):
(A) Bank:- which offers SET payment gateway. Currently in Hong Kong, Citibank and Bank of China Group Credit Card Centre offer this service.
(B) Merchants:- Apply for the Electronic Certificate form the Bank
(C) Customers:- They must have valid credit card themselves and apply for a Electronic Wallet (which should include a Electronic Certificate from the Bank) through the Bank. The Electronic Wallet is a software package which should load onto the customer's PC (at home or in the office). If the customer want to buy goods and services through the Internet, he or she will input a valid user id and password, along with the Electronic Certificate for authentication. Due to the complexity and charges involved, SET is gaining momentum slowly. However, as online fraud and Internet crimes are soaring, this high-tech payment method is believed to grow rapidly.

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4.3) What is SSL? 　

You may ask, "I have purchased goods on the Net but I didn't have any Electronic Certificate. I just entered my credit card number and expire date on the ordering form. Was I using SET?"
Surely NOT! The merchant was using SSL instead.