Hi everyone,
I’m new at this forum and must say “WOW" what a great site! Lots of talented people here,

Anyway, I'm working on creating my first website and do have a few questions that I’m hoping to get some help on.

What’s quicker at loading when browsing through pages, Flash, Paint Shop Pro or any other program that I might yet to know?

Which program will give you a better picture transition, Flash, Paint Shop Pro or any other program that I might yet to know?

If adding video and sound to your welcome page, which is quicker to load, Flash, Paint Shop Pro or any other program that I might yet to know?

If on flash, will the length of music and video file slow down the loading time?

Where can I get a tutorial on creating my company name in signature form for the website that I’m interested in creating?

note; I have seen some company name or logo in the form of a signature and "it's just beautiful" and I think that’s what I want to create; an elegant looking cursive "signature" logo.

Any help on this matter would be appreciated and please don't be shy to guide me to the proper path that would help me on my quest to building my very own site.

THANKS
To you all.

I'll try to answer as best as I can. Just don't take this for gospel... these are just my opinions



What’s quicker at loading when browsing through pages, Flash, Paint Shop Pro or any other program that I might yet to know?

Avoid using flash or any other non-native to the browser mechanisms. With very few exceptions (video being one them ...) the more code you add, the slower things will run.


Which program will give you a better picture transition, Flash, Paint Shop Pro or any other program that I might yet to know?

From your question, I assume you are planning to show transitions of "before and after". I would rather see them side by side, but if you are intent in doing it that way, I would recommend JavaScript and DHTML. They will accomplish the same effect without having to have flash.


If adding video and sound to your welcome page, which is quicker to load, Flash, Paint Shop Pro or any other program that I might yet to know?

This is an area that flash does a good job. Converted video to flash works well. If you don't have the means to convert video to a stream format (quicktime, real, ms etc), try flash.


If on flash, will the length of music and video file slow down the loading time?

Yes. The more complex the movie, the slower things will run. That is another reason to do it using a streaming technology.


Where can I get a tutorial on creating my company name in signature form for the website that I’m interested in creating?

On the specific question of how to create a logo based on fonts, that is a very specialized topic and I'm not qualified to give you "guidance". However...

Start by taking a look at http://www.dafont.com. It has many free cursive and script fonts that you could use to create your "logo".
Afterwards, visit these website:
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/logos/Logo_Design.htm
http://www.fontworld.com/customfonts/fontlogo2.html
http://www.myfonts.com/browse/foundry/larabie/







Hi everyone...
To you all...

Wow! so much information!...Thank You frank for your advise, your insights on the pros and cons of flash will definately help me on my ventures. On another note; I wanted to embed a video composition or a slideshow with music in the background onto my welcome/home page, but I was told by a co-worker that something like that could and will take for ever to load. yet, I have been at websites where a video or a slideshow is playing on the home/welcome page with hardly any delays or slow. why do you think is that? what program might they be using?

I do apologize for sooo many questions, I had someone I work with build me a site, and it is now 6 month later and my site is not done, and the little bit that is done is a disaster. So now, I will try it on my own and hope to get it right!

Once again,
Thanks Frank!

I have been at websites where a video or a slideshow is playing on the home/welcome page with hardly any delays or slow.

Do you have a URL that we could look at it?





Wow! so much information!...