Field notes you can use today.
Short, practical notes drawn from the questions that come up in our services. Search or filter, then open a note to read it.
WebsitesTesting a site at three widths without special tools
Most desktop browsers have a responsive mode in their developer tools. Set widths of 390, 768 and 1440 pixels in turn and scroll the full length of each page. Look for text that runs off the edge, buttons that wrap awkwardly and images that stretch. Then try the real thing on an actual phone; emulators miss some issues.
WebsitesWriting contact details that wrap properly
Long email addresses and company names can force a page wider than the phone. Check them at 390px. A designer can allow breaking inside long words for these specific lines without affecting the rest of the text.
DesignA one-page brief for a new screen
Write: who is using it, what they arrive wanting, the single action that matters most, what can go wrong, and what they see afterwards. Five lines like this save hours of redesign.
DesignChecking keyboard access in two minutes
Click into the address bar, then press Tab repeatedly. You should always be able to see which item is focused, the order should make sense, and any menu should close with Escape and return you to its button.
MobileQuestions to settle before an app build
Which phones and operating system versions matter? Must it work offline? Does anyone need to log in? What happens to data if the app is deleted? Who will update the content? Answers here shape the whole build.
MobileThinking about slow connections
Try your app or site with the network throttled in developer tools. Every action should show that something is happening, and no input should be lost if a request fails.
ReleaseWhat to gather before a store release
Store listings usually ask for a name, description, screenshots at set sizes, a privacy policy link, contact details and age-rating answers. Collect them early: they are often the cause of last-minute delays.
ReleaseBacking up before you upload a website
Before replacing files on a host, download a copy of the current site folder and export any database. Keep it until you have checked the new version works, including a real test of any contact form.
ITDescribing an IT problem so it can be fixed
Note what you were doing, what you expected, what actually happened, any exact error text, when it started and what changed recently. A screenshot of the error helps; never send passwords.
ITBefore you restart, write it down
Restarting often clears a fault, and with it the evidence. If it is safe to wait, note the error message and time first.
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