Definitions of the Interent sectors by the Gurus...

[rch10007]

I was thinking...wait...that hurts! :D

I would to offer a suggestion for a sticky on this forum to define certain aspects of Interent related fields.

I think we should compose a comprehensive list of definitions that are from "real experience" and not just a book.

For example, over the next few month, everyone can add their $.02 and a list can be compiled to describe in detail the definitions. Such as:

Web Developer: definition...compare/contrast to other terms used...(ie web designer, webmaster, web programmer)

Web designer: (same as above)

Webmaster:...

Information Technology Specialist:...

IT Consultant:...

etc....

Basically, I would like to get as many terms and their definitions from teh people who work in the field every day. Then we can all sort through each others work to create our own definition list.

For example, to me a webmaster is more than the person at work who maintains the company's page by adding content to a template created by a WYSIWYG or someone else who set up a CMS to edit content. A webmaster, to me, is someone who is a master of the web! He can determine the best hardware/software compatability for a server, install/admin/maintain both the hard/software, develop applications to run on the server, etc...

What do you peeps think? Want to give your $.02 so that we can make a comprehensive list?

[bathurst_guy]

This is mine:

Web Designer : someone who can design good looking sites, but has limited coding experience
Web Programmer : someone that can code a website, but cannot design an attractive looking site
Web Developer : someone that can code and design a website
Webmaster : an old term, but I like your meaning of it - a web developer that also knows about hard/software on the server side and how to setup/maintain it
IT specialist : someone who knows enough about a specific topic in IT, eg website, networking etc; but they dont want a client to think that they cant do other fields in IT - because they would out source the work and add a commission.
IT consultant : someone who has learnt about a topic in IT, but didnt do that well, yet they think they know enough to offer advice - but clients would often find out that the information they receive is often outdated or innaccurate

thats what I think - but i havnt been out in the industry for long so i know that my views are going to be quite different from the next guy/gal

[Stephen Philbin]

I should preface my post to point out that I am NOT "in the business" as it were and I am not employed as a web developer or designer or anything like that. I do however, intend to be.

So here's my definitions:

Web developer: A person that creates documents, sites and tools with an emphasis on technicality (or at least has it in mind or favours it). I would not, however, think that someone stating they are a "web developer" should or would make any kind of implication as to their skills in to field of web design.

Web designer: A person that creates documents and sites with an emphasis on usability and appearence. Ensuring that pages look nice and are individually "user friendly", but also designing sites so that they feel like one cohesive place this feels well structured and navigable. I would not, however, think that someone stating they are a "web designer" should or would make any kind of implication as to their skills in to field of web development.

Web programmer: Wouldn't use the term myself. Though if I had to, I'd consider it a synonym for "Web developer".

Webmaster: An asburd term, as laughable as it is pointless. Having said that though, I do rather like your definition of it, rch10007. If it was to be anything, I'd say it was that.

IT specialist: A bit of a bad term really. Bit too ambiguous to be of much use, because to anyone that doesn't work with technology, it'd probably mean someone that just focuses on IT. With the subject of IT its self being pretty much anything to do with information. Storage, transmission, protection or otherwise, the number of areas which would fall under the umbrella of "IT" makes the term "IT specialist", to someone not working with technology, a term that's far too general to be of any use or have any real meaning. To someone that does work with technology though, it'd just be someone that specialises in a particular area of It.

IT consultant: Someone with extensive knowledge of most (if not, all) aspects of IT, to whom you would go to for advice. With IT being such a huge field however, I'd be suprised to find any one person that knew enough to be considered an IT consultant. More likely you'd have a collection of IT specialists to form an IT consultancy.

P.S. Oh, almost forgot. As much as I like the thread (it's a good idea), I don't think there's any chance of it being made sticky, sorry. ;)

[theuedimaster]

Web developer: A person that creates documents, sites and tools with an emphasis on technicality (or at least has it in mind or favours it). I would not, however, think that someone stating they are a "web developer" should or would make any kind of implication as to their skills in to field of web design.

Web designer: A person that creates documents and sites with an emphasis on usability and appearence. Ensuring that pages look nice and are individually "user friendly", but also designing sites so that they feel like one cohesive place this feels well structured and navigable. I would not, however, think that someone stating they are a "web designer" should or would make any kind of implication as to their skills in to field of web development.

Web programmer: Wouldn't use the term myself. Though if I had to, I'd consider it a synonym for "Web developer".

I personall think a web developer is a coder, designer, and programmer all combined into one.