On the Spot
with Rachel Hartman

James and I started Hartman WebWrights in 1996, several months after we were married. While it is tricky balancing a marriage and a business, we have dealt with this problem by drawing firm and clear lines of division between the two. Currently I'm running the show, while James provides technical support. I enjoy dealing with clients who want their web site to be an accurate reflection of their businesses, and I'm always proud when I hear them say, "This is exactly what I had in mind."

The web sites we design tend to be fast-loading and browser friendly (at least on the index pages). If a client wants something complicated, such as a Java applet or animation, we make sure that they are aware of the consequences (slower loading of the page, may discriminate against some browsers, etc.) before going forward. We encourage our clients to participate in the post-design phase, especially in the area of promotion. We try to approach projects as a collaboration between ourselves and the client.

Designing browser-friendly sites has become more important to us in our pro bono work for SafePlace (http://www.austin-safeplace.org/). More so than many others, the SafePlace site is intended to reach a wide audience, including people who use adaptive aids to surf the web. When we first started working on the SafePlace site, our goal was to make information easily and quickly available. Our model audience member was a person suffering from some form of violence who needed to find help before his/her attacker returned. Now that the site has been up for over a year, we are able to add sections that appeal to the less-endangered members of the audience, such as the Virtual Clothesline planned for October, Domestic Violence Awareness month. The site has also proved its worth as a vehicle for collecting donations of money, food, furniture, clothing, and services.

Editor's note: Rachel is far too modest. Her passion of computers and helping folks, along with her creativity and humour have left clients pleased that they have selected her. It is obvious for those who know her, what a dedicated person she is to make sure her clients are happy and that the communities she lives in have access to cyberspace. Her volunteerism goes beyond just providing services; she shares her heart and enthusiasm.

Hartman WebWrights of Texas
Affordable Handcrafted Web Pages www.hww.com

Issue Three Features
Issue 3 - Page 1

Spirit-to-Spirit
Sundance
The Cake is Ready

Health Share
Dream Healing: Six Steps Toward Wholeness
The First Commandment

Parenting/Relationships
Transformations

Features
Denial
Individuality
Sticks and Stones

For the Record
I Will Still...

On the Spot...
with Rachel Hartman

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