[LINK] The Ethics (!) of Dodgy Web Designers

[Ivan Trundle]

On 17/04/2007, at 2:10 PM, Stilgherrian wrote:

> Gentle Linkers,
>
> Is it ethical for a "web design" firm to say they can deliver "online
> applications" even after their programmer leaves? When the programmer
> delivers code that contains basic security flaws, but they seem  
> unconcerned?

I'll stick my neck out and say 'why not?' It's clear to me that  
you're referring to a concrete example, but since we are not able to  
determine the full story, if a web design firm (or whatever they  
choose to call themselves) claims that it can, then it would require  
proof that it cannot before one could consider an ethical position.  
Same goes for bridge builders (to quote from your blog).

As for the security aspect, this is also moot: you've not said that  
the firm claims to deliver *secure* online applications. Whilst any  
sensible, educated and truly professional web firm would include this  
as part of their sales pitch and practice, I note that many do not,  
probably because they are unaware of the importance of security. Or  
because professionalism is yet to be a key selling point of web design.

This isn't a matter of ethics, but rather competency, which I suspect  
your grievance is all about.

> What about when a client pressures me to do a "rush job" building a  
> website
> in Dreamweaver (end client requirement for maintenance), a tool  
> I've never
> used, even though I've told them this is a bad idea because I won't  
> know
> "best practices"?

I'd simply steer clear of a business that demands a use of a tool in  
which I have no competence, unless the business was prepared to  
either train me or accept the consequences.

I make no judgement about Dreamweaver here: again, I don't regard  
this as being the key point. Good (and professional) web designers  
can sell their skills to the right people, and not suffer the  
consequences of a 'bad fit'.

I've been in the business for years, and find that if I can convince  
my clients that what I'm doing is not only good for them, but good  
for their future, then all runs smoothly.

>
> I've written more about these issues on by blog...
>
>     http://stilgherrian.com/internet/dodgy_web_designers/
>
> ....and would welcome feedback, here or there.
>
> One question I've asked: Has the time come for regulated and  
> enforceable
> "building codes" for websites?

To the basic question: why do we need regulated building codes for  
websites? We don't have them for books, for art, for billboards, and  
lots of other communication devices and tools.

Standards and regulations are needed in places where lives are at  
risk, or where laws might have a direct bearing on the process or  
activity.

As for ethics: the whole world would benefit from having a closer  
look at ethics in society. It's not up to the ACS to demand that  
website designers have better ethics, since many website designers  
are not ACS members (and the library sector has often made ambitious  
claims in the same area).

Sure, we could do better here, but it's the clients that could do  
better by ensuring that they employ the right staff with the  
appropriate ethics and qualifications.

iT