Definition of 'Webmaster'
The word 'Webmaster' in its ample and generic
sense is a term commonly used to talk about or to refer
to the people responsible for a specific Web site. Webmistress
is the feminine denomination, sometimes seen on the web.
In this case, what follows will use the first term mentioned
in its general sense to apply to both female and male
webmasters.
In a small web site the Webmaster will be typically designer
and programmer, in addition to being the one in charge
of writing, editing and publication of content. In larger
sites the functions of the Webmaster may be greater, acting
as a coordinator of the activities of all involved in
producing the site, being sometimes also an employee of
the web site.
The use of 'webmaster'
as the start of an email address is often used, for example,
webmaster@whateversiteitis.org. This usually appers
at the end of a web page or on a 'contact' page.
Areas of Expertise
The work of a Webmaster is multi-disciplinary due to
the great amount of tasks that makes up the role and to
the complexity of the abilities needed to execute them.
It is usual that a Webmaster is somebody with technical
or technological knowledge, like the engineers or lawyers
in computation, computer science sciences, cybernetics,
telecommunications or mechanics, but nevertheless this
is not a requirement.
A Webmaster must have abilities to analysize problems,
a capacity for abstract reasoning, the ability to project
into the future and to resolve problems. A great mathematical
ability is not necessary but it is very useful to have
certain abilities for the analysis of processes.
For a Webmaster it is important to develop his or her
writing abilities and those of graphical design, organization
of time, personal relations and good use of English (that
is the language of work in the Web de facto).
There is certain knowledge that is needed by a webmaster,
such as:
- Knowledge of the Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML).
- The webmaster must make use and application of the
standards proposed by the W3C: XHTML and CSS
- Knowledge of IP (FTP, POP, smtp, HTTP as a minimum).
- Principles of programming in some language for cgi
(Perl, PHP, ASP).
- Manipulation of digital images.
- Use of electronic mail.
- Basic configuration of web servers (Apache, Tomcat,
IIS, etc.).
Depending on the roll that the Webmaster has in a company,
one will specialize in an area as an individual or will
have to acquire skills in some of the following tasks:
- Administration and configuration of servers (Linux,
Solaris, Server Windows).
- Administration of security (firewalls).
- Knowledge of the operation of the set of protocols
of suite TCP/IP.
- Programming of applications (in Perl, PHP, Java, Python,
ASP, .NET, etc.)
- Administration and design of data bases (MySQL, PostgreSQL,
Oracle, etc.)
- Graphical design and animations (with the tools of
preference).
- Coordination of development projects.
- Elaboration of market strategies.
- Writing of policies and procedures for the webmaster's
area.
- Writing abilities to produce content for Web sites.
Code of Behaviour
A Webmaster must:
- Never try by any means to hack or in some way to damage
the sites of any other webmaster whatever the circurstances.
- To respect the profession and industry with honesty
and courtesy, to strive for a reputation of high quality.
- To increase the knowledge base of the profession through
constant study and to share this knowledge with others.
- To maintain a constant relationship of confidence
and goodwill with the public and the webmaster's employers,
using balance, moderation and constructive cooperation.
- To carry out a task in the most ethical and competent
way when a professional service is asked for or required,
in honour to the webmaster's own knowledge and integrity.
- To accept our part of responsibility in a constructive
service to the community, state or nation and to the
global community.
- To protect the intellectual property of others, never
breaking another's copyright and attributing any work
correctly where permission has been granted for re-use,
assuring so the benefits granted with their author.
- To make an effort in obtaining and expressing a sincere
character that will enrich all contacts, always aiming
towards that one ideal.
International Day
The international day of the webmaster is celebrated
on the 20th of September.
,
is protected by the laws of the United States and UK and
may not be reproduced elsewhere.