Martin Media Solutions Code of Ethics for Website Design.

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CODE OF ETHICS for Web Site Design

Martin Media Solutions believes very strongly that web designers have a responsibility to make the Internet as safe, as efficient, and as noninvasive as possible. Unfortunately, many designers employ their skills to create web sites that frustrate and even abuse their visitors. Some of the more grievous examples are discussed below:

Site owners often force visitors to provide email addresses or other information before they can enter the site, when the data demanded is totally unnecessary except for compiling into lists which are then sold to spammers.
Unnecessary graphic animations and new technologies that waste visitor's time downloading. Some sites will not allow the visitor to enter unless the visitor's browser has the latest plug-ins.
Cookie files that are loaded into visitors' computers to track their web activity OUTSIDE the host site.
Pop-up windows that interrupt the visitor's surfing experience, usually to display unsolicited advertisements.
Redirecting URLs, which are often used to force the visitor to visit a site other than the one they requested. This is often necessary, as in cases where a site is under development, but it is also used to force visitors into ad-laden web sites so the sites can accumulate a high number of "hits," thereby fooling their advertisers into paying more for their advertisements. This works because some sites bill sponsors based on the amount of traffic they receive. Redirecting URLs artificially drive up the sites traffic volume, resulting in more ad revenue for site owners.
New browser windows that open automatically and in rapid succession have a result to redirecting URLs.
Sites designed in a manner that will not allow the visitor to use the back button one their browser to exit the site, thereby locking the visitor in for a longer period of time until they can figure a way out--often only through closing the browser.
Confusing sites that provide too many similar options often force the visitor to click on an unintended link, with the result being similar to that of redirecting URLs.
Background music that loads automatically may be more a case of poor judgment than malice, but it still wastes the visitor's time while it downloads. Only the site owner thinks that it's neat, everyone else finds it highly annoying.

The Martin Media Solutions PLEDGE:

Client Confidentiality

MMS will never sell, trade, or otherwise make available its client list to any third party. Individual client names and contact information will only be provided to third parties by express written permission from the client.
MMS will never disclose to a third party any information regarding client business operations, marketing objectives, product information, Internet objectives, or other confidential information, without express written permission from the client.
MMS will never "trick" any client into unknowingly granting permission for their information to be shared with other organizations.

Web Site Design Ethics

MMS will provide no services to web sites that support the pornography industry.
MMS will not design any web site employing excessive and unnecessary animations or graphics, which result in unnecessarily long download times.
MMS will not design sites using cookies without making the site visitors aware of the purpose of any cookies used.
MMS will not employ any web technology which does not result in the majority of site visitors enjoying a more efficient, more informative, more pleasurable experience. New technology will not be included simply for the sake of designing sites with the "latest and greatest" bells and whistles. It it doesn't make the site better from the visitor's perspective, it will not be used.
MMS will not utilize pop-up windows in the design of any web site, unless they are necessary to provide information the visitor has requested They will never be used for displaying advertisements..
MMS will not utilize, in the design of any web site, redirecting URL's to force the visitor to sites or pages they did not expect.
MMS will not utilize, in the design of any web site, repeating windows or loops which lock the visitor into the web site.
MMS will only design web sites which allow the visitor to maintain control of how they navigate the site.
MMS will not design web sites in a manner that intentionally confuse the visitor into taking an unanticipated action, such as jumping to another web site.
MMS will not utilize auto-loading background music in the design of any web site.
MMS will continually seek to create web sites that are visitor-friendly and which treat each visitor with respect.

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