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WebCommons–Frequently Asked Questions

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The following are questions frequently posed directly or indirectly to WebCommons over the years.  In reading through them, you will discover in a very thorough way how WebCommons can work with you to handle your web programming needs.

  1. Is WebCommons a web design firm or a web programming firm?
  2. Will WebCommons act as a subcontractor for web designers or web design firms?
  3. How long is the normal turnaround time for WebCommons to complete the free initial review of a project we would submit?
  4. Can WebCommons handle large corporate-level web programming projects?
  5. We already have a web design person. Could you just help them with the programming portion of the site's development?
  6. Can WebCommons help us determine what we should put on our website?
  7. I have this unusual or wacky idea that 1) I'm unsure is technically possible to do, or 2) I'm having trouble finding a web programmer to seriously consider. Would WebCommons afford me any time to evaluate an idea like this?
  8. What kind of rates does WebCommons charge?
  9. When WebCommons estimates the total price for a project, how hard is that estimate after we have already agreed to it and the project has started?
  10. Will WebCommons sign confidentiality agreements?
  11. Does WebCommons charge for time its associates use in learning common web development technologies required to complete a job?
  12. Can WebCommons help us find a suitable web hosting provider?
  13. What's the big deal with dynamic websites... won't a few standard web pages be enough for my growing business or organization?
  14. Why is WebCommons so committed to using open source and otherwise reusable code?
  15. Given that WebCommons embraces open source, does WebCommons retain much in terms of copyrights for the websites it develops?
  16. Is WebCommons likewise committed to using open standards as much as feasible?
  17. I've never heard of PHP before. Can you provide any information that would make me feel more comfortable with you using this platform to develop my website?
  18. What differentiates PHP-based sites from sites developed with competing web programming technologies?
  19. I keep hearing that PHP programmers aren't true professionals, or that many PHP programmers only know PHP and no other language. Is any of this true?
  20. Does WebCommons work with Microsoft technologies in web development?
  21. What is WebCommons' philosophy about delivering high quality results?
  22. If your upfront advice on a project spurs us to be able to complete the work ourselves, or find a cheaper/better way to complete it, will there be any hassle?
  23. We have worked with other web developers who have done a poor job of communicating with us during the whole process, especially afterwards when we tried to get support. Can WebCommons assure us that we will be kept reasonably abreast of goings-on in our project, and also that WebCommons will provide proper support?
  24. Are there any geographical limitations to customers WebCommons can work with?
  25. Will WebCommons meet with us on-site to discuss our web programming needs or ongoing project issues?
  26. Will WebCommons work on our web programming project on-site?
  27. Will WebCommons work with professional third-party recruiters who conduct placement for jobs or contracts?
  28. Will WebCommons associates complete any contracts under a W-2?
  29. How did the WebCommons name originate?
  30. What is the meaning behind the WebCommons logo?

  1. Is WebCommons a web design firm or a web programming firm?

    WebCommons has always emphasized the programming side of developing dynamic websites and web applications, although design is certainly always a large part of this process (check out The WebCommons Web Design Philosophy). The reason we say "programming services" instead of "design services" is that integrated programming is our far greater specialty, and highly artistic or graphic designs are not our bag. In short, if you want a website Dali would admire, we're not your provider; however, if you want a website that does something, please give WebCommons a look-see.

  2. Will WebCommons act as a subcontractor for web designers or web design firms?

    Yes! WebCommons will be very happy to subcontract on an invoice-only basis. As Steve Magruder and his associates complete all web programming work under the auspices of the LLC, WebCommons, and mostly at our own business or residential locations, we will not work on a 1099 basis except in cases where the work is completed predominantly at the premises of the client.

  3. How long is the normal turnaround time for WebCommons to complete the free initial review of a project we would submit?

    WebCommons is committed to completing the initial project review within 72 hours, excluding hours on Sunday. If WebCommons needs to deviate from the normal review schedule, we will communicate that to you at the earliest possible moment.

  4. Can WebCommons handle large corporate-level web programming projects?

    That will always depend on how large and how long the allotted project schedule is. WebCommons is primarily geared to working with small businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals, but that doesn't mean we can't size up to handle some corporate-level projects. WebCommons is a small business that aspires to be much bigger, but at this juncture, we are naturally limited as to the scale of projects we can work on.

  5. We already have a web design person. Could you just help them with the programming portion of the site's development?

    Absolutely! WebCommons is especially adept at programming the "guts" of websites, and we would be happy to play that role. WebCommons takes great pride in our software development capabilities, and we'll work to the best of our abilities to make your web designer's ideas shine.

  6. Can WebCommons help us determine what we should put on our website?

    WebCommons considers how a website should work to be the ultimate responsibility of the customer. However, WebCommons is always happy to bring up various design and programming approaches that come to our minds as we discuss your website's requirements with you. In short: The customer is in charge of the business processes present in the website, and WebCommons handles the layout and programming that implements those processes. Even shorter: It's always good to know mostly what you want before you seek professional services to make it happen.

  7. I have this unusual or wacky idea that 1) I'm unsure is technically possible to do, or 2) I'm having trouble finding a web programmer to seriously consider. Would WebCommons afford me any time to evaluate an idea like this?

    Try us. Tell WebCommons about your idea -- we might just surprise you with our response. Whether we say your idea is definitely doable, or a good idea that just needs some polishing, or even if it's a not-so-feasible idea, WebCommons will send you back an honest assessment.

  8. What kind of rates does WebCommons charge?

    WebCommons strives to keep the hourly rates we use to figure price estimates reasonably low, but as with any consultant you will work with, rates will scale according to the complexity of the project as well as other usual adjustment factors. In any case, once WebCommons has arrived at a total price estimate, we are always open to negotiate with you in good faith until we reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Our current base hourly rate is $32.

  9. When WebCommons estimates the total price for a project, how hard is that estimate after we have already agreed to it and the project has started?

    WebCommons' total price estimates stay cut in stone unless and until the customer requests a significant design change sometime in the midst of the development process. With every significant change, WebCommons will promptly re-evaluate the estimate, and then communicate this clearly to you.

  10. Will WebCommons sign confidentiality agreements?

    Absolutely! WebCommons is always happy to sign confidentiality agreements. Note that we keep all our customers' business processes, source code and data confidential at any rate.

  11. Does WebCommons charge for time its associates use in learning common web development technologies required to complete a job?

    No. If WebCommons has to train on any common technology to complete a job for you, it would be unreasonable to charge for that time. However, if completing a job requires understanding of an uncommon or vertical technology, that training time will be charged like other regular development time.

  12. Can WebCommons help us find a suitable web hosting provider?

    Yes, WebCommons can either:

    1. recommend a high-quality, low-cost hosting provider (by the way, these companies are thoroughly researched before a recommendation), or
    2. determine whether the hosting provider you've chosen supports the web development platform that WebCommons uses.

  13. What's the big deal with dynamic websites... won't a few standard web pages be enough for my growing business or organization?

    Websites in the early 21st century are expected to do something or give visitors something to do that compels them to keep coming back -- clearly, a flat "brochureware" site doesn't do any of that. Only a dynamic, functional site will do. And sites like these require the handiwork of real programmers. Only a programmer can integrate the various capabilities for you to launch such a site. In general, in today's world, a website that's not dynamic may as well be dead.

  14. Why is WebCommons so committed to using open source and otherwise reusable code?

    Because many customers (not just WebCommons' customers) are using the same code, this helps to keep quality high (i.e., bugs are rare!) and the total project price low. WebCommons eagerly taps into the vast resources of the open source community, utilizing their code and ideas, asking questions of the programmers, tweaking the code for our purposes, and even relaying useful code and ideas back to the community to further enhance their products. Did you realize that many other web developers already use open source and other reused code to a large extent, but many of them won't admit this while proceeding to pocket fees based on work they represent as all freshly developed for you?

  15. Given that WebCommons embraces open source, does WebCommons retain much in terms of copyrights for the websites it develops?

    Not much actually. The customer retains full copyright on all the site content, the look of the site, and all custom source code, while the copyrights of all utilized open source libraries and frameworks are retained by their creators. The only copyrights retained by WebCommons are on any reusable library or web application framework developed by WebCommons that are used across some of the websites we develop.

  16. Is WebCommons likewise committed to using open standards as much as feasible?

    Always. Compatibility, clean integration and keeping costs down are good things, and the use of open standards helps out a great deal with each of these facets.

  17. I've never heard of PHP before. Can you provide any information that would make me feel more comfortable with you using this platform to develop my website?

    Certainly. Here's a few facts you might not have already known:

  18. What differentiates PHP-based sites from sites developed with competing web programming technologies?

    Following are some key differences:

    1. PHP provides consistent support for new and existing technologies frequently used in web development. Indeed, PHP is the Switzerland of web development tools -- that is, PHP doesn't provide lop-sided support for one company's technologies to the detriment of others.
    2. PHP invites extensibility. It's very easy for developers to add new modules to the core engine.
    3. PHP enjoys widespread programming community support (read: lots of free third-party scripts, classes, libraries, frameworks, tools, etc.).
    4. Contrary to what you may hear from Microsoft, PHP is the most popular technology on the Internet for building dynamic web applications.
    5. Java scales up very well, but PHP scales down better. If you're trying to run on a budget where you can't add a ton of servers or you're limited to aging hardware, Java will not scale to that environment very well. However, PHP can do quite well there. Also consider what a startup company might use in creating their initial 'breakthrough' website -- PHP with cheap hardware, completed very fast, or Java EE with expensive hardware, taking two to three times as long. Read about the PHP Scalability Myth.

  19. I keep hearing that PHP programmers aren't true professionals, or that many PHP programmers only know PHP and no other language. Is any of this true?

    What you're hearing is hogwash. One of the great aspects of PHP is that at a basic level of usage, almost any regular computer user interested in building a simple dynamic webpage can learn how to use the technology very quickly. On the other hand, professional programmers can use the exact same technology to build very advanced, high-performance, and even object-oriented web applications. And the idea that a truly professional PHP programmer doesn't know other languages and development technologies (or can't learn them quickly if needed) is ridiculous on its head. The key is finding a web programming professional with years of experience -- what language they choose in implementing a website is nearly irrelevant in comparison.

  20. Does WebCommons work with Microsoft technologies in web development?

    WebCommons' bottom line is to give our customers the most secure, highest quality, least expensive solutions, and we believe that using proprietary technologies impedes that goal. That said, WebCommons' preferred platform of PHP runs well on Windows and Internet Information Services, Microsoft's web server software. PHP also integrates well with proprietary databases, such as MS SQL Server and Oracle.

  21. What is WebCommons' philosophy about delivering high quality results?

    Get it right the first time. It's that simple. WebCommons knows that its customers count on the dependability of their websites, and we make every effort to avoid any post-production issues by thorough planning, design and testing before the sites are deployed.

  22. If your upfront advice on a project spurs us to be able to complete the work ourselves, or find a cheaper/better way to complete it, will there be any hassle?

    Absolutely not. WebCommons would rather not charge its customers or potential customers for work they can do themselves or find better alternative development routes for. WebCommons always wants to see the best possible result, whether we complete the work or not.

  23. We have worked with other web developers who have done a poor job of communicating with us during the whole process, especially afterwards when we tried to get support. Can WebCommons assure us that we will be kept reasonably abreast of goings-on in our project, and also that WebCommons will provide proper support?

    WebCommons guarantees timely communication and support as part of our contract with you. This is a key part of the high quality results that WebCommons delivers.

  24. Are there any geographical limitations to customers WebCommons can work with?

    Very few. WebCommons is well-equipped to work in a telecommuting mode with customers all over the world.

  25. Will WebCommons meet with us on-site to discuss our web programming needs or ongoing project issues?

    If the client is located in the Louisville metropolitan area, WebCommons will be happy to meet with them on-site. There would be no charge for the initial meeting, but subsequent project meetings would be charged at the normal hourly rate, including travel time. If the client isn't located in the Louisville area, then WebCommons will be happy to meet if all reasonable travel costs are remunerated, in addition to the hourly rate, which would cover both travel time and actual meeting time.

  26. Will WebCommons work on our web programming project on-site?

    Usually no. WebCommons associates are freelancers who perform the vast majority of their web programming and related assignments (e.g., coding, testing, graphic design) from their home, or wherever they can take their laptops. The only exceptions might be when an intranet web application is going into final system testing and production release.

  27. Will WebCommons work with professional third-party recruiters who conduct placement for jobs or contracts?

    No. WebCommons' views about third-party recruiters reflect those of this consultant, so we feel no need to post our concerns here. However, WebCommons is open to negotiation on finder's fees for individuals who refer jobs to us.

  28. Will WebCommons associates complete any contracts under a W-2?

    No. All web programming work is completed under the auspices of the LLC, WebCommons.

  29. How did the WebCommons name originate?

    WebCommons General Manager Steve Magruder originally wanted to just produce open-source web applications that contribute in significant ways to a robust commons, and he still does, but he eventually came to the conclusion that similar goals could be reached through commercial avenues as well, exploiting the power of open-source technologies and reusable code to benefit customers with great web solutions for low costs -- this is the new commons of web development.

  30. What is the meaning behind the WebCommons logo?

    To be succinct, the WebCommons logo symbolizes a "flowering of the web" -- that is, smartly enhancing and expanding the technologies, approachability and reach of the web in an open, collaborative manner will make the web and its applications more commonly useful and powerful.