pixieslayer said:
Fact is, although it may only take a few days to get an understanding of HTML grammar, using it well together with assistive technologies (css, javascript et al) takes a good deal of experience and effort - like anything. It may well be harder, considering the cross-disciplinary nature of web design, and the best designers have a broad range of knowledge and experience which most developers cannot match.
In terms of WYSIWYG tools, Dreamweaver is still the one to beat, although GoLive is close enough not to make a real difference, especially if you know what you're doing. But the best way to go is a text editor and starting off at the basics. I know that may not be in the remit for this challenge, but don't be fooled into thinking it's so straightforward - as usual, it's a sign of how much someone knows when they realise how much more there is to know - and vice-versa.
AMEN!
First off, if you go WYSIWYG Dreamweaver is the way to go. They have a 30 day trial download you could use to get started.
Secondly, there is a tremendous difference between properly formatted and coded HTML/XHTML/CSS and amateur stuff. If you ever learn how to do HTML by hand, here are a couple of thoughts:
1) ALL documents require a DOCTYPE at the beginning of each page. This will differ based on the type of page you are creating.
2) ALL pages should be validated to ensure there are no coding errors. When I have a client ask me to do an update on their current site, it is not uncommon to find 10-30 errors per page. People should be using the html/xhtml and css validators on the W3 site. Ensuring no errors in your code prevents the browser from going into quirks mode. Basically, when a page is sent to the browser, it checks for valid code. If it finds it then it knows exactly how to render it. If it finds errors, it goes into quirks mode and guesses how to render it, often incorrectly.
3) CSS CSS CSS! External stylesheets make managing your site and editing it MUCH easier.
4) NEVER have anything on your site dependent on client sided scripting like Javascript. I have seen sites where the navigation, for example, is completely based on Javascript. Guess what happens when people who disable scripting (still up to 10% of the web browsing audience in some cases) visit that site? NOTHING! Never let a crucial part of your site be controlled by something the end user can turn off in their preferences pane. Javascript and other client side scripting is fine for the non essentials however, such as button rollovers, clocks, etc. For anything dependent on scripting it really should be done server sided such as using PHP.
5) When desiging a site, you basically have the two options of fixed width, and dynamic layout. An example of fixed width is
http://www.ryanbrill.com .... the width is set and does not really change. Macrumors, on the other hand, is a dynamic width. Resize the window and see what happens. If you chose to make a fixed width site, just remember that up 35-40% of viewers still see the web in 800x600 resolution, so do not deign a fixed width site that is 1200 pixels wide just because you have a 23" monitor! Usually the best width is abotu 750 pixels for fixed width (currently).
6) Certain browsers have certain rendering errors that you will learn to work around over time. Sometimes it is only a version of a browser that has a certain error. I won't get into them as there are too many right now, but again a true professional knows exactly what they are and how to compensate for them.
...and my rant is over! Web design is like anything else. It can be learned, it is not extremely difficult, but there is a definite difference between a site learned by somebody who has coded for a week and someone who is a true professional. I could add another 20 points on that list above, but you get the idea.Even if you work only in WYSIWYG, it really helps to understand how the code works so you can edit it later down the road.
Jump in with both feet, it is a lot of fun! If you hit a roadblock, post it here and we will be more than happy too help!
Cheers,
James
). We have also heard things about register.com. However, I tried getting on their site this am and could not get on their site.
