Laurent Vidonne runs Worldan H.K.Ltd.,
an Internet business solutions company in Hong Kong.
The Work
Worldan helps small and medium sized businesses realise the benefits of the
Internet. This could be through a Web site or it could be an extension of information
systems, or possibly Internet applications. Either way, the emphasis is on real
solutions.
One of our specialities is simple, dynamic, database driven Web sites. We offer
a system that allows the client to control the content of their site from their
own computer through an easy-to-use database application. This is a stand-alone
application rather than a browser-based solution. Browsers were never designed
as transactional tools and are weak on speed and security by comparison.
Career route
I've been working in software development and consulting for around 13 years
now. When I saw the Internet it was clearly a big opportunity and an extension
of what I was already doing.
I spent seven years living in Tahiti, in the South Pacific, working for a small
software company and as a consultant. After seven years I went to Los Angeles
for a couple of days. Three days into my trip I realised I was bored with L.A.
and missing the island life. On the way back to Tahiti I knew I had to make a
decision - either leave Tahiti or probably stay there forever.
I decided to leave and through the Internet I was offered a job here in Hong
Kong. It's as simple as that. I made the move direct from Tahiti to Hong Kong,
which was interesting. I've been living in Hong Kong for around three years now,
and out of France for ten years.
Software Gems
My favourite database product is 4D (www.4d.com).
Years ago it started as a database product for Macs, and now it's a full-blown, cross-platform
relational database system. It fits somewhere between low-end systems like FileMaker
or Access, and high-end systems like Oracle. It's very flexible and simpler than
many other systems - which often demand you become familiar with a wide range
of environments. Using 4D, you can have a database engine, Client-Server and Web-based
services in a single application, developed within a single environment.
On Dynamic Sites versus Static Sites
When a database is behind a dynamic site, it becomes very easy to integrate
a search engine, which is a great help for your visitors especially if you have
a lot of content. This makes the site more interactive and a better experience
for your visitors.
Also, by using a database you're making a distinction between content and presentation.
On a static site there is no distinction, the two are mixed. When you separate
them you can use tools specific to each task. So page design is done with design
tools, but content is managed with a different set of tools especially created
for data management.
You can incorporate a huge amount of data and keep the site updated far more
easily. You can make content changes without worrying about the look of the site,
because that's already taken care of.
Search Engine Ranking for Dynamic Sites
In most dynamic sites there are some pages that are static. For these pages
you can use traditional techniques to get good rankings. Meta tags and other techniques
can be used just as they are in static sites.
You can also get your database to generate pages automatically and store them
on the Web server as documents. In this way you mimic the structure of a static
site, but keep the advantages of a dynamic site.
Many of the problems are down to generating pages with long URLs including
special characters, which the search engines reject. With our solution we can
create pages with simple URLs to get over that problem. These are much more acceptable
to search engines.
I'm not sure I'd recommend hallway and doorway pages. If they're just used
as a trick to get good rankings, the trick may be discovered and you could get
a backlash. Also it takes a lot of effort to keep them up to date.
Pet Hates
Obnoxious blinking graphics. I like the trend towards speed and convenience,
so I'm not keen on sites using big graphics.
Cultural Differences
Perhaps the comparison I should make is between Hong Kong and Tahiti. When
I was in Tahiti and the Internet was just arriving in the mid-Nineties, there
was a lot of excitement. It's a technology that puts people in touch with each
other and because Tahiti is a remote and small country, that's of great value.
In a big city like Hong Kong, where there's a lot going on, there's more interest
in ecommerce but the personal connection side is less exciting.
The Future
I think we are only at the very beginning of the development of the Internet.
Whereas most people think of the Internet as email plus Web sites, we will see
more and more varied developments, especially on systems-to-systems applications.
Also the line between Internet and non-Internet applications will become fuzzier.
For example a bookseller might use the same application in-store for retail management
that they use to keep their Web site up to date and to make sales over the Internet.
Advice for New Developers
Don't take anything for granted. Fads come and go now even faster than before.
I remember that Artificial Intelligence was the big thing when I started my career,
and you seldom here about it today. WAP applications don't seem to be going anywhere
fast right now. I have difficulties imagining people browsing the Net on a phone
any time soon. We've had miniature TVs for years but you rarely see people using
them. Stay open and alert and don't forget basic common sense.
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