Want to learn Web Design

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OneOfTheseDays

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2000
7,052
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I am trying to expand my programming skills to include web design as well. What are some good online guides and programs to get me started. My friend has Dreamweaver MX but he says its for experienced users only. What is a good starter web design program. I want to learn how to write scripts, and create a pretty decent webppage by the time my break is over.
 
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Ness

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2002
5,407
2
0
http://www.htmlgoodies.com

Look over to the left and start with "primers". Unless you are a total moron and don't know squat about the internet, then go to introduction.

That's where I learned. The sections are somewhat short and choppy, but I still use it as a reference from time to time. I've taught myself over the the past few years and I do some pretty fine work if I do say so myself.


http://www.renegadeonline.net

I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have about HTML via AIM. My AIM name is the same as it is here.

I like talking to people :)
 
ThePresence

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
You cannot learn design. Sure, you can get some pointers and techniques and such but nobody can teach you an eye for design. You can learn the programs well and know the tools well, but you cannot learn to design. If you feel you have an eye for it, then go for it, by all means.

<-- Graphic Designer
 
N

Ness

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2002
5,407
2
0
Originally posted by: ThePresence
You cannot learn design. Sure, you can get some pointers and techniques and such but nobody can teach you an eye for design. You can learn the programs well and know the tools well, but you cannot learn to design. If you feel you have an eye for it, then go for it, by all means.

<-- Graphic Designer
Click to expand...



Calm down Adolf. I think he just wants to learn to code HTML. And no, you don't need any real skill to do a decent job at designing webpages unless you are a professional.

<-- Graphic Designer
 
ThePresence

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: ness1469
Originally posted by: ThePresence
You cannot learn design. Sure, you can get some pointers and techniques and such but nobody can teach you an eye for design. You can learn the programs well and know the tools well, but you cannot learn to design. If you feel you have an eye for it, then go for it, by all means.

<-- Graphic Designer
Click to expand...



Calm down Adolf. I think he just wants to learn to code HTML. And no, you don't need any real skill to do a decent job at designing webpages unless you are a professional.

<-- Graphic Designer
Click to expand...

If he just wants to learn HTML or web programming/development, then of course what I said does not apply. But he said he wants to learn how to design. Maybe I misunderstod.
 
AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
I'd use something like Dreamweaver. Its for those starting and great for those who do it for a living.

Use that for a few months, make a site, get it running, then start experimenting with things like javascript, php, perl, etc.
 
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777php

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2001
3,498
0
0
anybody can learn to design, whether you are good at it or not is another thing. Anybody can claim to be a graphic designer but in reality their designs may be adequate at best. I would start out by visiting some nicely designed pages and take some design cues from them, once you think that you understand why their page looks so nice then you can start to design on your own.


 
O

OneOfTheseDays

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2000
7,052
0
0
thanks for the replies guys. I really just want to learn basic HTML coding and javascript so that I can broaden my programming skills.
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Originally posted by: 777php
anybody can learn to design, whether you are good at it or not is another thing. Anybody can claim to be a graphic designer but in reality their designs may be adequate at best. I would start out by visiting some nicely designed pages and take some design cues from them, once you think that you understand why their page looks so nice then you can start to design on your own.
Click to expand...
I agree with everything you said. The easiest way to pick up pointers is to view well designed sites. You can visit coolhomepages.com for more on that.

As for html, it's extremely easy to learn. Your friend is wrong about Dreamweaver MX. It's one of the best tools out there because it helps both new and experienced users. There's a design tab as well as a code tab. If you're not sure how to do something in html, draw it up in the design tab and switch over to code and you'll learn a lot better. It's not always the cleanest code, but you'll get a good grasp of html that way. Always, always, learn by doing. Books are for reference only.

I wouldn't waste time learning javascript. The JS FAQ link at irt.org has everything you will ever need. Like mentioned above, PHP is the dynamic language to know these days. I'm personally a ColdFusion guy, but there simply is little support for it because of the price tag. If you ask me, CF is much easier to learn/use and you can do things in half the time of other languages, but I digress... PHP is free and common among webhost support plans. Along with PHP, you'll have MySQL database system it natively works with. PHP/MySQL has a cult following in the developer community - learn it and you'll go places. Can't do it without basic HTML though - get to it.
 
N

Ness

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2002
5,407
2
0
I've been wanting to learn php myself... I can code little snipets, correct syntax, things like that, but I can't do anything from scratch, really.


Anyone got any good links on a good place to start, some place with like, a walkthrough that'll show you how to write some programs and such.. cause a reference guide really isn't good to start coding with.
 
Nocturnal

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
18,927
0
76
Get Dreamweaver, it isn't only for advanced users. Newbies can also benefit greatly from Dreamweaver MX. It's a bit costly though. If you can get it through your school then that would be a whole lot nicer on your wallet. But besides that, check out www.w3schools.com for their tutorials on HTML, XML, CSS, and a bunch of other scripting languages.

I went to Borders in search for a decent book on web design; I could not find one. I'd suggest picking up Dreamweaver Demystified... it's published by Macromedia. Good book as far as learning Dreamweaver goes.
 
virtuamike

virtuamike

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2000
7,845
13
81
Originally posted by: rh71
Originally posted by: 777php
anybody can learn to design, whether you are good at it or not is another thing. Anybody can claim to be a graphic designer but in reality their designs may be adequate at best. I would start out by visiting some nicely designed pages and take some design cues from them, once you think that you understand why their page looks so nice then you can start to design on your own.
Click to expand...
I agree with everything you said. The easiest way to pick up pointers is to view well designed sites. You can visit coolhomepages.com for more on that.

As for html, it's extremely easy to learn. Your friend is wrong about Dreamweaver MX. It's one of the best tools out there because it helps both new and experienced users. There's a design tab as well as a code tab. If you're not sure how to do something in html, draw it up in the design tab and switch over to code and you'll learn a lot better. It's not always the cleanest code, but you'll get a good grasp of html that way. Always, always, learn by doing. Books are for reference only.

I wouldn't waste time learning javascript. The JS FAQ link at irt.org has everything you will ever need. Like mentioned above, PHP is the dynamic language to know these days. I'm personally a ColdFusion guy, but there simply is little support for it because of the price tag. If you ask me, CF is much easier to learn/use and you can do things in half the time of other languages, but I digress... PHP is free and common among webhost support plans. Along with PHP, you'll have MySQL database system it natively works with. PHP/MySQL has a cult following in the developer community - learn it and you'll go places. Can't do it without basic HTML though - get to it.
Click to expand...

Anand uses CF :p

And yah, PHP/MySQL is the way to go. You don't need to have a webhost to start learning it. Just install Apache, PHP, and MySQL on your home PC, that's all you need to get started.
 
Cerb

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
Get the book, and use Dreamweaver. Pity anyone who uses Frontpage and who can't use a text editor. I've tried up to FP XP, and...yuck. Still very poor.
Don't buy the only for experienced users BS. Learn HTML, CSS and whatever else while learning to use Dreamweaver and you'll be set. IMO, it's the easiest WYSIWYG editor (Macromedia can do a good UI!), and allows a seamless transition between WYSIWYG and text editing, which is also extremely handy.

<- plays with the stuff for fun, having gotten burned twice making websites for actual people. I'm also interested in any PHP-based info, as I want to play around with it, but the website will only be read by MAYBE 6 people, so no big rush or anything.
 
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