Notes to Myself - class #1

These are my notes from yesterday's class. It seems to be pretty much in line with what Amos just sent so I might not do this again. Commentary is welcome – especially if you see something wrong!

In class #1 we:

• Reviewed Terminology/Languages
• Client-side languages: HTML, dHTML, Javascript, CSS, Flash, Java
• Server-side languages: ASP, PHP, mySQL, Java
• Languages we will cover:
• HTML – HyperText Markup Language – system of tags which provide structure
• CSS – Cascading Style Sheets – design
• Javascript – changes behaviors locally
• MySQL – free database server for small businesses
• PHP – Hypertext Pre-Processor – pulls everything together

• Set up blogs
• my address is http://snikfarjamwebdevfa08.blogspot.com/

• Connected to each other's blogs through feeds
• done!

• Tried to create instant messaging accounts
• (you still need to do this since it did not work during class)
• Send your IM name to Amos
• Find a less evil program instead of AIM

• Created folders on onepotcooking.com to host our files
• My nonsense page is at:
• http://onepotcooking.com/sharonnikfarjam/

• Lipsum.com – a useful website for generating dummy text
• http://www.lipsum.com/

• Downloaded a few programs:

· Firefox – best browser (obviously)

· Notepad++ – good text editor with HTML support

· WinSCP – FTP client to use for class

• http://winscp.net/eng/download.php
• class server = onepotcooking.com
• username = scps
• password = ******

• Made a WIREFRAME design for an imaginary pet store site
• The purpose of this exercise was to highlight differences between web design and web architecture
• My wire frame is posted in an earlier blog post
• In retrospect, I think I focused a bit too much on the design rather than the architecture of the site. Instead of just making what I thought was a nice-looking layout, I should have thought more about how the page would work and what layout would highlight that use. Also, it helps to have a clearer vision of what exactly the site would be used for.
• Concepts to remember for next time:
• it’s best to use printable shades of grey
• it's ok to have explanatory notes to the side
• include more details like: dummy links, image placeholders, navigation links, etc.

• Things to do:
• Go to go to w3schools.com
• Go through html, xhtml, and css tutorials
• Review the class notes from Amos
• Make sure you get the class notes
• done!
• It should cover the languages mentioned above with more details
• Be ready for a Quiz next week!