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Stuff I use:

Applications:
UltraEditAdobe Photoshop CS3Inkscape Open-Source Vector Graphics EditorVue 6 EspritBryce 6 3Dterragen
Services:
W3C Markup & CSS
  	  			  Validation ServiceTotal Validator Markup & Accessibility Validation'Cynthia Says' Accessibility ValidationCreative CommonsMarketshareNetRendererBrowsershotsHeal Your Church Website > email obfuscator
Browsers:
Mozilla Firefox 3Google Chrome 1Internet Explorer 8Apple Safari 4
If you are using an older browser, be aware that they may not be fully compliant with W3C standards [more]
If you want my recommendation — try Firefox 3, Google Chrome 1, IE8 or Safari 4!

Member of:
Kasparek Graphics & Design on DesignFirms

About Kasparek Graphics & Design

clearing after the storm
Every cloud has a silver lining
(Image Copyright© 2009 RKasparek)

Kasparek Graphics & Design is ...me, Rick Kasparek. This site contains information regarding the design and graphic services I offer. The products and services range from websites, to full graphics creation services.

Conditions for the use of this site

The images and graphics on this site are original creations. Unless otherwise specified, they are copyright© 1995 through 2009 by Rick Kasparek (some rights reserved) and are licensed under a Creative Commons License. I have found some of my images on other web sites that were obtained and used without attribution! If you want to use images from this site, please attribute them to me (and a link back would be nice)! If you would like to have me create original images for you, your site or project, please contact me via email.

This site contains links to other sites. I am not responsible for the content contained in any of those other sites, nor am I responsible for their policies and/or privacy statements.

I don't collect your email address or personal information unless you volunteer it. I will not give it to anyone else without your permission. Other user-specific information, like your IP number, may be collected by my server. It's only used for administrative purposes.

Your use of this site signifies acceptance of these policies.

About usability

In designing this site (as with most of my websites) I have attempted to provide:

  • cross-brower compatibility: this site has been checked with the four major browsers, Internet Explorer 8, Firefox 3, Google Chrome 1 and Apple Safari 4;
  • accessibility and compliance with Section 508: section 508 requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. Although it currently applies only to Federal agencies, it is also an important step in compliance to the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative;
  • compliance with web standards: the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), along with other groups and standards bodies, has established standards for creating and interpreting web-based content. These standards, which we call "web standards," are carefully designed to deliver the greatest benefits to the greatest number of web users while ensuring the long-term viability of any document published on the Web.

About Rick Kasparek

Rick KasparekMy name is Rick Kasparek (or Kašpárek if you're Czech). I have been involved with technology throughout my career. I have worked with everything from electro-mechanical switching systems, and communications systems in my early days in the US Navy to digital switching systems, defense electronics and navigation during my career with the Defense Logistics Agency of the Department of Defense. In later years I have been involved with Internet technologies and broadband both as a webmaster and as a web accessibility consultant to SBC. The web is where my love of art & graphics and technology become one. I enjoy this work.

I have been creating artwork since a very early age, and have plied my talents in many venues. I have been working with Internet technologies since 1995, when I designed and coded my first award-winning website. I continue to be amazed at the technology and am continually learning new techniques.

After several years of living in some great areas of the United States I wound up in West Texas where I met and married my wonderful wife, Claudie. We live in Midland, Texas and I enjoy the pace, values and folks here! I have family scattered throughout the Midwest and Texas: 3 beautiful daughters (and super sons-in-law!) and a gorgeous baby granddaughter in Iowa; terrific nieces, nephews, and cousins in Minnesota; my big brother & his wonderful wife, and our "Wee Darlin' Muther" (yes we're also Irish!) all in South Texas; and as an added bonus when I married Claudie, I gained wonderful family, friends and grandkids here in West Texas as well. I am indeed a lucky man!

I can be reached most easily by email or phone: 432.238.7468, or snail mail to:
Rick Kasparek
Kasparek Graphics & Design
PO Box 8966
Midland, TX 79708

Why the Ampersand?

Rick KasparekThis particular ampersand is from the collection of Linotype Poetica™ Ampersands - by Robert Slimbach. According to Wikipedia: "The word ampersand is a corruption of the phrase 'and per se and'" literally meaning: (the character) '&' by itelf (is the word) and. In other words, it focuses on the and, the extra, the unspoken value.

I like the symbolism because you can get web and graphics services anywhere at a range of costs, but here I try to give you the and, the extra, the unspoken value. This specific ampersand also has the attributes of the letter 'Q' for Quality. So — in a nutshell this particular symbol used for my work represents the fact that I also provide the unspoken, extra, value in a high quality manner.

Page last updated: 04/15/2009