(Shelly Cashman Series) Gary B. Shelly, H. Albert Napier, Ollie N. Rivers-Web design_ introductory concepts and techniques -Cengage Learning (2008)

Web Design Roles 31
High-Tech Role
If you play a high-tech role, your focus will be primarily on a Web site’s functionality
and security. Examples of types of jobs in the technical role category include Web
programmer/database developer and network/security administrator.
A Web programmer must be highly skilled in scripting languages, such as JavaScript,
Active Server Pages (ASP), Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP), and MySql. These languages
are used to create interactive and dynamic Web pages; they also handle form data. A
database developer must possess the technical skills to plan, create, and maintain databases
of varying complexity. Because the corporate world relies so heavily on databases to
conduct day-to-day business, a database developer also needs to know how to integrate
databases successfully with company Web pages.
A network/security administrator is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day
functionality of the network and protecting it from internal and external threats. Duties
and responsibilities include ongoing network inspection, maintenance, and upgrades.
Regarding security, an administrator must be aware of security alerts and advisories,
protect the network with intrusion-detection software, and have a fully developed plan of
action if the security of the network is compromised.
Oversight Role
If you assume an oversight role, your focus is on managerial and administrative issues.
Examples of types of jobs in the oversight role category include content manager and
Webmaster.
The need for content managers has emerged in the corporate world primarily
because of the growth in size and complexity of corporate sites. A content manager may
determine the overall content goal; review content to assess its relevancy to the goal and
ensure its accuracy and timeliness; ensure that content is published or removed expediently;
and identify, implement, maintain, and provide support and training for a content
management system (CMS).
The responsibilities of a Webmaster vary dramatically, depending primarily on the
staffing and other resources devoted to developing and maintaining a Web site. If working
independently, the Webmaster assumes all the roles. In an organizational or business
setting, the Webmaster might oversee a Web development team comprising some or all
of the creative and technical roles’ job types. A corporate Webmaster often assumes the
responsibilities for both the sites that are on the Internet and an intranet. A Webmaster,
therefore, must have a broad range of skills and knowledge, including familiarity with databases,
markup and scripting languages, content development, creative design, marketing,
and growth and maintenance of the hardware connecting computers and users.
Exploring Web Design Roles
1. Visit the Web Design Chapter 1
Online Companion Web page
(scsite.com/web3e/ch1/) and click
Monster in the Your Turn links.
2. Search the Monster site for jobs related to
three of the Web design roles discussed in
this chapter.
3. Summarize your research in a report
by listing the job description, skill
requirements, salary information, and job
location for at least two job postings for
each of the three Web design roles.
YOUR TURN