Tis The Season Again

Wow, it's already that time of the season. The Holidays are just around the corner and you know what that means...gift tags, cards, family photo, shopping, sales, the big rush rush rush and too much food (and sometimes too much family). We are here to help you with custom holiday cards, photo specials, and anything else to cut down on your holiday stress!!!

Get ready to see what we are rolling out for 2010...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE

New System

We have one of our new systems almost ready (its a PC Based system with a QuadCore Processor, 16 GB of ram, Internal 320 GB HD and HD Video Card with 4 GB of Video RAM), and we also have laptop mobile services for photography now available... and we are switching our phone systems over too, so you can email us or txt us directly to our business lines if we are out of the office.

So many ways to connect and at blazing fast speeds...

P.S. Don't forget you can also talk to us directly from our website!!!

To Host or Not To Host

That is the question...

We have, and we're sure you have, seen when a company website goes down because of using external hosting and the hosting company goes "belly up". It happens all the time, especially in this economy. It happens with the biggest of web hosting corporations.


The question to ponder is, should I host my own site?


The answer...maybe, but probably not!!!


REASONS TO HOST:

• Features of your website are integrated with other applications or features that are proprietary or confidential. ( i.e. legal, governmental, medical or anything that involves you to store important client information securely)
  
  
• You deliver specialized features or services on your site that you have developed yourself and you want to keep track of your intellectual property. (got an app or service that is YOURS and you dont want to have the world see it or have access)
  
  
• You are using specialized technologies or applications delivered through your website that requires you to host it yourself. (this one is rare, but does happen...if your at this level you probably have a team of programmers)
  
  
• Hosting your website in-house, you'll always know what is happening to your data. You can fix problems on your time, not according to a host's schedule.
  
  
• As long as your company's not going anywhere either is your website.
  

REASONS NOT TO HOST:

• Equipment costs (dedicated computers, firewalls, software, etc)
  
  
• Bandwidth (if you have lots of visitors to your site, you better have at least a T1 connection)
  
  
• Technology (when it comes to hosting, you need someone who trained - and certified - in web server technology, computer systems...and even knows what a T1 connection is!!!)
  
  
• Availability (hosting companies usually have staff there 24/7, especially on busy "shopping" holidays)
  

All in all, your company, your pocketbook and your sanity, is generally better off with using an outside company to host your website.

Is there a chance that your host will do a disappearing act and go "poof". It is a possibility, but for the cost of hosting your own, your company might also.

Remember to keep copies of your website locally, just incase this should happen or even better. You can have your website "live" with one hosting company and keep it on another server (remember to update both when making changes) then if your "live" host goes under, you can simply point your domain name to a different address and bam, your up and running.

Always ask your web designer for copies of your site, at least if anything should happen to your host...or your designer...you wont be starting from complete scratch.

If you have any questions about our hosting options or what we offer our client when it comes to web design, please feel free to contact us.

THE LONGHORN DESIGN TEAM
www.longhorndesign.com

PC vs MAC debate

Well here we are in 2009 and the PC/MAC debate still wages on...

We here at Longhorn Design are PC people... we do design on pc's, our audio/video editing is done on pc's, web hosting is all on pc's, 3-d and animation...you get the idea. We even have a PC running OS X, just incase we HAVE to use any MAC software (don't ask how we did it, it's our little secret - actually goto http://www.ehow.com/how_2338780_use-mac-os-x-pc.html to see how to run OS X on a PC). Now if you are a MAC'er don't be afraid, we're not going to change you over to the PC darkside, but if your looking for a new computer look at this video before you buy:

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:0bb6a07c-c829-4562-8375-49e6693810c7&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo

Upgrade, Upgrade, Upgrade....

Well, 1/2 of our systems have been upgraded, and about 1/2 of our webpage...Of course all of you know in the digital world, you must keep on top of your toes and things are so ever-changing. During this time of reinventation, we think it may be time to look at your own company or even yourself. Its a fast paced world we live in and sometimes we need to reflect in order to move forward, right now during our "construction" from March 1st 2009 - April 31 2009 we are giving customers 15% off all design services to help you reinvent yourself or your company. Just say that you want the "new me" discount on your next order and get 15% off any design service.

Upgrading for 2009...

Whoa we've been busy...but not to forget about our fans here is a little goings-on for Longhorn Design.

1. We are currently upgrading our systems to help serve you better.

2. We are changing the look of our webpage so its got more services available and that WOW factor for 2009.

3. Look for new improved prices and "WEB ONLY" specials that will just keep you coming back for more...

4. New DIY design tips and help as well as an online proofing and editing system that will will just amaze you.

RIGHT NOW DURING THIS TIME OF RENEW WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR NEW VENDORS SO IF YOU THINK YOUR COMPANY HAS PRODUCTS/SERVICES WE MAY BE INTERESTED IN PLEASE LET US KNOW!!!

2009!!! LETS GET IT STARTED RIGHT!!!!!

Were creating all new things that can help you and your company...whether it be design, or marketing or photography, look for super how-tos, new special web only deals, freebies, and so much, much more...2009 is going to be great, look to see all the wonders of the design world come together at our soon to be updated site www.longhorndesign.com