Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Chapter 14: A Brief Look at JavaScript

First, there's a good resource at W3Schools (http://www.w3schools.com/js/) where you can enter JavaScript and test it immediately.  Definitely check it out as you work through this chapter.

We will be working through some of the projects by looking at the script, copying it to the editor, and testing the script.  We will also explore the chapter and look at the way that Java is entered on a web page.

Finally, we will be looking at various online resources, including:

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Web Page Document Test Plan

Having a plan is always important, but by breaking things down into a checklist [of sorts] you can quickly check what you've checked.
Click Image for PDF Download
If you are interested in changing/editing this form yourself (i.e. there are some specific things you want to check or the browser resolutions have changed) you can download the Excel file here:

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Chapter 9: Forms

INTRODUCTION:

Chapter 9 explores the use of Forms in web pages.  Forms are used for search engines, stores, information collection, email forms, etc.  When you enter a search in Google, you're submitting a form, for example.

ASSIGNMENTS:

  • Read Chapter 9.1: Overview of Forms
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 9.1 (pages 362-367)
    • You will create a quick and easy contact form in HOP 9.1, then read about some of the other attributes you can use in forms.
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 9.2 (pages 367-373)
    • You will continue with forms by creating a contact form. 
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 9.3 (pages 373-374)
    • You will be adding the Label element to the text box and scrolling text area on the form you created in HOP 9.2.
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 9.4 (pages 374-381)
    • You will continue modifying the form you built in HOP 9.3.
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 9.5 (pages 381-391)
    • You will be adding to your form to access a server-side script. 
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 9.6 (pages 391-393)
    • Now you'll get to add some HTML5 to your form.  :)
  • Complete the Focus on Web Design section (page 399) by reviewing the following sites:
    • http://www.uie.com/articles/web-forms/
    • http://particletree.com/features/10-tips-to-a-better-form/
    • http://www.alistapart.com/articles/sensibleforms
    • http://www.lukew.com/resources/articles/WebForms_LukeW.pdf
  • Now for the Case Study and Web Project pieces:
    • Update the JavaJam Coffee House (pp. 400-402) site using the text instructions.
    • Update the Fish Creek Animal Hospital (pp. 402-404) site using the text instructions.
    • Update the Pacific Trails Resort (pp. 404-407) site using the text instructions.
    • Update the Prime Properties (pp. 407-410) site using the text instructions.
    • Update your Web Project (p. 410) site using the text instructions.

OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED ASSIGNMENTS:

  • If you are feeling adventuresome, try out some of the Hands-On Exercises (pp. 397-398).  These exercises are meant to reinforce the techniques you have learned thus far.
  • If you have some "free time" try out the Apply Your Knowledge tasks (pp. 395-397).

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Exploring Tables

Here's a starter HTML code to use for making some tables:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en:>
<head>
<title>My Title</title>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Copy that code to a new document in Notepad++, then save it as "tabletest.html" (or whatever).

Next we will begin adding some basic table code
<table border=1>
<caption >Whatever</caption>
<tr><td>First</td><td>Last</td></tr>
</table>

That code will produce the following table:

Whatever
SomethingMore Here

Diagramming and Flow Charting

I like to diagram / flow chart my web sites before I begin.  I've done it by hand for a long time because I thought programs like PowerPoint were just too clunky.  Recently I found "Lucid Charts" (https://www.lucidchart.com/) which is free and easy.
This is an example of a flow chart I made for my JAVA Programming class at KHS.  It's obviously more complex than a web diagram would need to be, but if you had to describe a process in a web site (particularly if the page got more complex) this would be a great way to do it.

It's not required, but it's definitely worth a look.

Chapter 8: Tables

INTRODUCTION:

While back in the day tables were often used to format the layout of a web page, CSS is the page layout tool of choice for modern web developers.  In this chapter, you'll become familiar with coding HTML tables to organize information on a web page..
ASSIGNMENTS:
  • Begin reading Chapter 8: Tables
    • This first section explains the basics of tables.  Definitely learn the "tr" (rows) and "td" (columns... aka cells) because these will come up over and over.
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 8.1 (pages 333-334)
    • You will be creating a simple web page with a table..
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 8.2 (pages 335-338)
    • You will be creating a web page with a table using the rowspan attribute.  In section 8.4 (p.336) you will also read about "Accessibility" of tables.
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 8.3 (pages 339-341)
    • You will continue creating tables, but you will be using CSS style rules for formatting..
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 8.4 (pages 341-344)
    • In this section you will be using CSS3 structural pseudo-class selectors to configure color..
  • Complete the Focus on Web Design section (page 349) by analyzing two web pages -- one you like and one you don't.  You can post your thoughts about the sites in the Discussion Forums.
  • Now for the Case Study and Web Project pieces:
  1. Update your JavaJam Coffee House (pp. 349-350) site using the text instructions.
  2. Update your Fish Creek Animal Hospital (p. 350-351) site using the text instructions.
  3. Update your Pacific Trails Resort (pp. 352-353) site using the text instructions.
  4. Update your Prime Properties (p. 353-354) site using the text instructions.
  5. Update your Web Project (p. 355) site using the text instructions.
OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED ASSIGNMENTS:
  • If you are feeling adventuresome, try out some of the Hands-On Exercises (pp. 348-349).  These exercises are meant to reinforce the techniques you have learned thus far.
  • If you have some "free time" try out the Apply Your Knowledge tasks (pp. 346-347).
  • Again, feel free work on the other Case Study assignments if you really want to get your HTML down.  :)  

Quiz / Understanding Check

Over the last couple weeks we created both two and three-column CSS templates for business pages.  We will use one of those templates this week to create a business web site.

Think about a business, organization, group, etc. that you have an interest in or a passion for.  Create an "official site" for that client which will include "news" stories, photos or updates of some sort.
  • Copy the three-column template folder (with pages, css file, graphics, etc.) and give it the name of the business/group you are doing.
  • Gather materials (pictures, logo, address, business info, news stories, etc.)
  • Select a professional color scheme (at least three colors)
  • Use the template to build your site with multiple pages.
Once we have completed our web sites we will copy them to the FTP web server for testing.

A three-column web page template:


<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Door County Wildflowers</title>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<link href="wildflowers.css" rel="stylesheet"></link>
</head>
<body>
<div id="container">

<div id="header">
 <span><a href="#center">Skip to Content</a></span>
 <h1>Door County Wildflowers</h1>
</div> <!-- end of header -->

<div id="nav">
 <ul>
  <li><a href="index.html">Home</a></li>
  <li><a href="spring.html">Spring</a></li>
  <li><a href="summer.html">Summer</a></li>
  <li><a href="fall.html">Fall</a></li>
  <li><a href="winter.html">Winter</a></li>
 </ul> 
 <img src="plsthumb.jpg" width="100" height="100" alt="Showy Pink Lady Slipper">
</div> <!-- end of nav -->

<div id="sidebar">
 <h3>The Ridges</h3>
 <p class="news">The Ridges Nature Sanctuary offers wild orchid hikes during the Summer months.  For more info, visit <a href="http://www.ridgesanctuary.org">The Ridges</a>.</p>
 <h3>Newport State Park</h3>
 <p class="news">The <a href="http://www.newportwildernesssociety.org">Newport Wilderness Society</a> sponsors free meadow hikes at 9am every Saturday.  Stop by the park office to register.</p>
</div> <!-- end sidebar -->

<div id="center">
 <h2>Door County</h2>
 <p>Wisconsin's Door County Peninsula is a unique, ecologically diverse place with upland and boreal forest, bogs, swamps, sand and rock beaches, limestone escarpments, and farmlands.</p>
 <p>A wide array of wildflowers grow in the county because of this variety of ecosystems.</p>
 <img src="trillium.jpg" width="200" height="150" alt="Trillium" id="floatright">
 <h3>Explore the beauty <br>of Door County Wildflowers . . .</h3>
 <p>With five state parks, tons of county parks, and private nature sanctuaries, Door County is teeming with natural areas for you to stalk your favorite wildflowers.<br>
</div> <!-- end center -->

<div id="footer">Copyright &copy; 2013 Door County Wild Flowers<br></div>

</div> <!-- end container -->
</body>
</html>

We will also begin with the following CSS Code as a "skeleton":

body { margin:0;
      background-color: #ffffff; }
#container { background-color: #eeeeee;
             color: #006600;
             min-width: 960px;
             font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; }
#header { color: #cc66cc;
        background-color: #636631; 
        border-bottom: 2px solid #000000;
  text-align: right; 
        height: 120px;
        background-image: url(showybg.jpg);
  background-position: bottom; 
  background-repeat: repeat-x;
        padding: 0 20px; }
#nav { float: left;
       width: 150px; }
#sidebar{ float: right;
          width: 200px;  }
#center { margin: 0 210px 0 160px;
          padding: 1px 10px 20px 10px;
          background-color: #ffffff;
          color: #006600; }
#footer { font-size: .70em;
          text-align: center;
          color: #006600;
          background-color: #ffffff;
          padding-top: 10px; 
    clear: both; } 
#header a { font-size: .80em; }
#header a:link, #header a:visited { color: #ffffff; }
#header a:focus, #header a:hover { color: #eeeeee; }   
h1 { margin-top: 0; 
     font-size: 3em; 
  text-align: left;
  text-shadow: 4px 4px 4px #000000;}
#nav ul { margin-top: 20px;
          list-style-type: none; }
#nav a { text-decoration: none; 
         font-size: 1.2em; }
#nav a:link { color:#006600;}
#nav a:visited { color: #003300; }
#nav a:focus, #nav a:hover { color: #cc66cc; }
#nav a:active {  color: #000000;}
#nav img { margin: 30px;}
#center p { margin: 20px; } 
#center h2, #center h3 { color: #cc66cc;
                  background-color: #ffffff; }
#floatright { margin: 10px;
           float: right; } 
#sidebar h3 { padding-bottom: 2px;
              border-bottom: 1px solid #000000;
              margin: 10px;
     font-size: .90em;
              color: #cc66cc;
              background-color: #eeeeee; }
.news { font-size: .80em;
            margin: 10px; }
You will need the following graphics to start with:

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Chapter 7

INTRODUCTION:
You're ready to explore a variety of techniques, including relative hyperlinks and named fragment hyperlinks, CSS sprites, three-column page layout, styling for print, styling for mobile browsers, and configuring CSS3 media queries to target mobile devices.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  • Begin reading Chapter 7: More on Links, Layout and Mobile
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 7.1 (pages 280-281)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 7.2 (pages 282-283)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 7.3 (pages 283-285)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 7.4 (pages 285-294)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 7.5 (pages 294-302)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 7.6 (pages 302-307)
  • In the Focus on Web Design section (page 313) the authors suggest exploring CSS Zen Garden.  You can also view Sheriar Designs (http://manisheriar.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-design-process) or Behind the Scenes of Garden Party (http://www.bobbyvanderluis.com/articles/gardenparty.php).  You don't have to "write an essay" as the text suggests.  If you want to post your thoughts on the sites on your blog and/or in the forums, that would be great.
♦ Now for the Case Study and Web Project pieces -- Styling for the Mobile Web:
  • Note: You may want to back up your Case Study folders (copy them to a backup folder) before continuing.  I have backup copies throughout the process of design because you will get to a point where something isn't working that worked before -- but you have to step back through versions of your backup to figure out where it went wrong.
  • Update your JavaJam Coffee House (p. 314) site using the text instructions.
  • Update your Fish Creek Animal Hospital (p. 317) site using the text instructions.
  • Update your Pacific Trails Resort (p. 321) site using the text instructions.
  • Update your Prime Properties (p. 324) site using the text instructions.
  • Update your Web Project (p. 328) site using the text instructions.
OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED ASSIGNMENTS:
  • If you are feeling adventuresome, try out some of the Hands-On Exercises (pp. 312-313).  These exercises are meant to reinforce the techniques you have learned thus far.
  • If you have some "free time" try out the Apply Your Knowledge tasks (pp. 309-312).   
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
CSS Buttons

Sunday, October 6, 2013

FTP Should Be Working Now

Okay, we fixed some of the problems for sure -- but I'm not sure why some people still aren't able to connect.  Don't worry if we can't get this working -- I will accept the work on CD, SD card, USB drive, etc.  
That being said, make sure you are setting it up as follows:
  • Host/IP: csc.mendocino.edu
  • Username: (the one I provided in the Announcements the other day)
  • Password: (your six-digit birth date -- i.e. 022668)
  • Port: 22
  • Connection: SSH/SFTP
Once you have access, you'll be in the "Home" folder.  You will need to create a folder called "public_html" (without the quotes) which is where you will post all of your projects.  When someone goes to your web address (i.e. http://csc.mendocino.edu/~username) they will be seeing your public_html folder.

For example, my page is at: http://csc.mendocino.edu/~rgriffith

I have no "index.html" file so it shows the directory -- but if I had an index.html file inside that folder, it would show that instead.  If you click on one of the other folders you will see that process in action.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Chapter 6: Page Layout

Student Data Files:
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/aw/ecs_felke_webdevdesign_6/Student_Data_Files/felkeStudentDataFiles.zip

Today we're going to be working with Page Layout including the Box Model, Normal Flow, CSS Positioning, CSS Float, Two Column Page Layout, Hyperlinks in an Unordered List, CSS Interactivity with Pseudo-Classes, etc.

We are going to continue building our CSS skills in this chapter, working with page layouts, floating images, etc.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  • Begin reading Chapter 6: Page Layout
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.1 (pp. 222-224)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.2 (pp. 224-226)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.3 (pp. 226-230)
  • Check out some of the "CSS Properties" in tables throughout this chapter -- there are some interesting properties that you can experiment with.
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.4 (pp. 230-232) 
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.5 (pp. 232-234) 
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.6 (pp. 235-237) 
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.7 (pp. 237-240)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.8 (pp. 240-242)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.9 (pp. 243-245)
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.10 (pp. 246-247)
    • "Commenting out" sections of code is a great tip for finding where errors are happening.
    • Check out the "CSS Web Resources" (p.247)  You might want to add these to your bookmarked resource sites or on your blog.  If you have other suggestions, please share them with your classmates!
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 6.11 (pp. 248-254)
  • Read the Focus on Web Design task (page 260).  In addition to searching the web for tutorials on CSS page layouts, I would also recommend searching YouTube (or other video sites).  Many people [myself included] are using video sites as a way to share free educational materials. 
  • Now for the Case Study projects... which will become "Two-Column" this week.  :)
    • Update your JavaJam Coffee House (pp. 260-264) site using the text instructions.
    • Update your Fish Creek Animal Hospital (pp. 265-268) site using the text instructions.
    • Update your Pacific Trails Resort (pp. 268-271) site using the text instructions.
    • Update your Prime Properties (pp. 272-276) site using the text instructions.
  • Now to the Final Project:
    • Update your Web Project (p. 276) using the text instructions.
OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED ASSIGNMENTS:
  • Feel free to try out the HTML5 extensions with your Case Study projects.  They are optional, but HTML5 is definitely the "next big thing".
  • If you are feeling adventuresome, try out some of the Hands-On Exercises (1-10) on page259.  These exercises are meant to reinforce the techniques you have learned.  If you are still feeling a little unsure of yourself, this will probably help you.
  • If you have some "free time" try out the Apply Your Knowledge tasks on pages 256-258.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Business Page Framework

On Friday we began building our business web sites. You are going to build a web site for the business of your choice, and we started with this HTML framework:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>My Business</title>
<link href="mybusiness.css" rel="stylesheet"></link>
</head>
<body>
<div id="wrapper">
<h1>My Business</h1>
<div class="nav">
 <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/index.html">Home</a> &nbsp;
 <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/option1.html">Option 1</a> &nbsp;
 <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/option2.html">Option 2</a> &nbsp;
 <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/option3.html">Option 3</a> &nbsp;
</div>
<center>
<img src="mypicture.png" width="500" /></center>
<div>
 My Business
 1234 Main Street
 Kelseyville, CA 95451
 (707)123-4567
</div>
<div id="footer">Copyright © 2013 My Business, Inc.
<a href="mailto:youremail@mailplace.com">youremail@mailplace.com</a>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>
And then we have a basic framework for the CSS as well which we call mybusiness.css:
body   {
  background-color: #ffc373;
  color: #a65f00;
  font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-Serif;
  }
#wrapper {
   margin-left: auto;
   margin-right: auto;
   width: 80%;
   }
h1  {
  background-color: #a65f00;
  color: #ffc373;
  line-height: 200%;
  text-align: center;
  }
h2 {
  background-color: #a65f00;
  color: #ffc373;
  line-height: 100%;
  text-align: center;
 }
.nav {
  text-align: center;
  }
a:link {
 color: #000000;
    }
a:visited {
 color: #000000;
 }
#footer  {
  text-align: center;
  background-color: #a65f00;
  color: #ffc373;
  font-size: .60em;
  }

I put a graphic in the web site (mypicture.png) which you can download here as well:

We also explored a few Color Scheme Designers to find good color schemes for our business pages.
http://www.designcontest.com/blog/best-color-scheme-websites-for-designers/

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Student FTP Accounts

FTP accounts:  The following are the FTP account names.  Your password will be your six digit birth date (i.e. mmddyy -- so 022689 would be the password if your birth date was February 26, 1989).
Username Name
adaugherty Amber Daugherty
aparmenter Andrew Parmenter
arazo Ana Razo
btamayo Bianca Tamayo
dtolles Dylan Tolles
ecook Evan Cook
fpena Fred Pena
gceja Gracie Ceja
gspence G. Daniel Spence
jclover Jesse Clover
jkrauth Jennifer Krauth
jshun Josey Shun
jsolgat Jacqueline Solgat
jsolgat2 Justine Solgat
kdonham Keary Donham-Greene
mhughs Mark Hughs
mkirk Marcus Kirk
msunbeam Moses Sunbeam
rbarnett Rachel Barnett
rcolby Raymond Colby
rkee Ronny Kee
rleonard Richard Leonard
rlupian Rodolfo Lupian
rthompson Reba Thompson
salire Steven Alire
tfletcher Tyler Fletcher
tkerrigan Trilby Kerrigan
wschlosser William Schlosser

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Previous Course Text

This is an old [out of print, I assume] version of the textbook.  It's not exactly what we've been covering, but it's close enough to get you by for now.  I will keep looking.

Web Development and Design Foundations With XHTML V5 by Ashateer2010

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

INTRODUCTION:

If you're feeling relatively comfortable with the basics of HTML then we can move on to CSS.  You'll find that CSS is very similar to the HTML basics you have learned so far, but it looks a little different.  Remember that although you can build web pages without CSS, it can be a very valuable skill set and can allow your web pages to be:
  • Easier to maintain
  • Easier to index by search engines (more about that later)
  • Cleaner (at least as far as your source code)
  • More accessible (works better with screen readers, for example)
ASSIGNMENTS:
First (obviously) is to begin reading Chapter 3: Configuring Color and Text with CSS:
  • Check the course textbook web site: http://webdevfoundations.net/6e/chapter3.html
    • View some of the Accessibility & Usability links and view your favorite pages through the eyes of people with color deficiencies.
    • View the links under Inspiration.
    • Check out some of the Selecting Colors for Your Web Site links and see if any color schemes are to your liking -- or if they fit the ideas you have for your own site.
  • Work through the Hands-On Practice 3.1 (page 84)
    • There is a video demonstration of this in the Supplemental Resources forum.
  • Download the "student files" packet from the publishers web site.  (or here)
    • Unzip the files to a folder on your computer for easier access.
  • Begin Hands-On Practice 3.2 (page 86)
    • Open the starter.html file from the Chapter 3 folder in Notepad (or another HTML editor).
    • Continue with Hands-On Practice 3.2
  • Work through the remaining Hands-On Practices (pages 91-109) -- they really will help with your understanding of CSS and build on your comfort level with HTML.  (And make it possible to complete the Case Study projects, obviously)
  • Try out the Focus on Web Design task (page 115-116) to begin experimenting with color.  Some of you with "mad design skills" won't have a problem with this one, but if you're one that is "artistically challenged" these links can be very helpful.  Some of this is redundant from the online links we explored earlier, but it's definitely worth a go.
  • Now for the Case Study projects...
    • Implement CSS for JavaJam Coffee House (pages 116-118)
    • Implement CSS for Fish Creek Animal Hospital (pages 118-121)
    • Implement CSS for Pasha the Painter (pages  121-124)
    • Implement CSS for Prime Properties (pages 124-127)
  • Check out the Supplemental Resources forum.  If you have enough bandwidth, view a video tutorial or two.  I hope to be adding much more (links, downloads, etc.) in there very soon.
OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED ASSIGNMENTS:
  • If you have some time this week, try out the Apply Your Knowledge tasks on pages 111-113.  I think you'll be surprised that you're starting to understand "coding" and even being able to see when something is wrong.  It's not always easy, but you're getting there.  :)
  • If you are feeling adventuresome, try out the Hands-On Exercises (1-9) on pages 113-115.  These exercises are meant to reinforce the techniques you learned in Chapter 3.  If you are still feeling a little unsure of yourself, this will probably help you.

Chapter 3: Supplemental Videos

This is a series of video tutorials where I work through the basics of CSS.  It won't match up with the chapter assignments necessarily, but it demonstrates how CSS works pretty effectively..
http://youtu.be/zKUcJeOF9aI

http://youtu.be/GoypQrrkkNE

http://youtu.be/orDrqqm6Mtw

http://youtu.be/WQHDQlxH2KE

http://youtu.be/sliFJWHp6dk

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Chapter 02: HTML Basics

Although I could spend pages explaining the differences between HTML, XML, XHTML, and HTML5, I think we'll just begin with the basics using the currently accepted methods.

To design, build, and develop web pages you really don't need any specialized programs.  Although programs like DreamWeaver and Front Page are great, all we really need is a text editor.  On a PC we can use Notepad, but I recommend Notepad++ (NEVER Microsoft Word).  On a Mac you can use TextEdit or TextWrangler.

Every HTML page will have two main components: A Head and a Body.

A basic HTML5 web page template:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Page Title Goes Here</title>
<meta charset="utf-8">
</head>
<body>
... body text and more HTML5 tags go here ...
</body>
</html>
After you have typed your web page into a text editor, save it to a folder with the extension .html (.htm works as well, but .html is the standard).  For example, you could save your page as whatever.html or index.html.

Testing:  Next you can test your document.  Generally it's easiest to simply double-click the icon of the file that you saved.  This will open the web page in your default browser (i.e. Internet Explorer).  You can also right-click the icon (if you're using a PC) and select, "Open With..." and choose which browser you would like to test. The first few pages you create will most likely look the same on all browsers and computer platforms,

Header Element:  The H1 to H6 tags are used for Headers in a web page, moving from largest to smallest.  As you'll find out later in the course, the H1 and H2 tags are the most important because they get indexed more readily by Google.  Also, Header tags are used by Accessibility programs (i.e. screen readers) and some page indexing programs.

Breaking Text:  The 'p' tag (short for paragraph) will break the text and add a blank line.  The 'br' tag (short for break) will break the text and continue immediately on the next line.

Lists:  Lists help you display information on your page in an easily readable format.  The types of lists below are actually show in a list -- in this case, an ordered list (although I will use an unordered list a little later).
  1. Ordered Lists: These are generally numbered and imply an order or importance.  They can be indicated using the "ol" (ordered list) tag with individual items being added with 'li' tags.  HTML5 now offers a 'reversed' attribute, which is nice for doing a countdown.
  2. Unordered Lists: These are generally bulleted lists and imply no particular order or importance.  Be aware, however, that Unordered Lists are considered obsolete and are being deprecated because they convey no value.
  3. Description List:  HTML5 introduces this "new type of list" -- which is basically exactly like the "definition list" which has been deprecated -- kind of.  It's basically the same thing.
Special Characters:  The copyright symbol © is an example of a "special character" that you may want to add to your web page.  Doing the &___; with "copy" in place of the lines will give you the correct symbol. Another use would be to substitute nbsp (non breaking space) which lets you separate words/characters by more than one space.

Div Element:  This is a way of saying that everything between the 'div' and the '/div' is a specific "division".  A block of "stuff" separated by a blank line on top and bottom.  We'll be learning some other useful structural elements as well, but for now let's focus on the Divs.

Hyperlink Elements:  Hyperlinks make web pages interactive.  They are the "buttons" that users can click on to navigate to other pages or open other files.  When creating hyperlinks, try to keep accessibility in mind.  For example, if someone [a visually impaired person, for example] is using a screen reader, a link which says "Search the course schedule" is more useful than "More information".

(Note: I am using { } in place of < > so the program doesn't assume actual links)
  • Anchor Tags: "Anchors" (used with the 'a' tag) is a link to another page or file.
  • Absolute Hyperlinks:  Using the anchor tag, this is the way we would link to an absolute address.  For example:
    <a href="http://www.mypage.com/pictures/me.jpg">My Picture</a>
    will always point to that specific address.  It's like telling a cab driver to take you to 123 North Main Street, Lakeport, California and park in the alley behind the red fence.  No matter where you are [or where the taxi is] they will find that place.
  • Relative Hyperlinks:  Using the anchor tag, this will link to a relative address.  For example,
    <a href="mypage.html">My Page</a>
    would open mypage.html if it existed in the current folder.  It's equivalent to telling a cab driver to stop at the red house.  Obviously if you're on a different street, the red house will be a DIFFERENT red house -- or there may not BE a red house.  The positive to using a relative hyperlink is that if you use the same collection of pages in a different site, you don't have to change every link.
  • Email Hyperlinks:  Again, using the anchor tag you will specify a link which will open an email program.  For example:
    <a href="mailto:rgriffith@mendocino.edu">rgriffith@mendocino.edu"</a>
    would [if equipped] open an email program and compose a new email to rgriffith@mendocino.edu.  Note: Some people set up their programs to show "Email Me" instead of showing their email address.  This is not recommended since many people don't have email programs set up to automatically open when clicked.  People often highlight the email address, copy it, and paste it into a program like Gmail.
HTML Validation:  W3C has a validation service at http://validator.w3.org which HTML coders can use to validate the syntax of their web pages.  It's definitely worth trying, especially if you're having trouble finding pesky little problems (missing semicolons, for example).

(Watch: "How Search Works" by Google)


These are a couple of previous tutorials which I have not updated since the release of HTML5, but they should give you a pretty good handle on what is going on here.


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

CSC 130 Class Syllabus

Syllabus: CSC 130: Web Page Design & Development
Instructor: Robert Griffith (rgriffith@mendocino.edu)

Required Text:
Web Development & Design Foundations with HTML5, 6th Edition by Terry Felke-Morris. Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN 0-13-278339-8, and is available at the Mendocino College Bookstore.  (Author's website for the text book: http://www.webdevfoundations.net)

This is a link to the publishers page where you can also order a web-based copy of the book:
http://www.mypearsonstore.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0132783398

Note, however, that you can get the book cheaper at Amazon here or here.

Also, if you print out a book reseller (i.e. Amazon) the Mendocino College Book Store will do price matching.

In addition to the required textbook, there is a wealth of free information about XHTML and other web design technologies on the Internet. One excellent site is http://www.w3schools.com.

Students are not required to purchase any software. All software necessary for this course is available on the Internet as either trialware or freeware.

Course Description

This course includes the basics of creating web pages using HTML5 (including page and text formatting topics such as lists, tables, frames and graphics). Advanced web page construction topics are introduced, such as web page construction tools, interactive web pages, and graphics production. Students will create and publish a number of web pages.

Student Outcomes and Objectives

At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:
  • Design, create, test, and verify web pages using XHTML tags.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use the World Wide Web as a learning resource.
  • Demonstrate the ability to produce visually appealing web pages by applying visual design principles and including visual elements such as graphics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply a variety of formatting options in the creation of web pages, including the use of style sheets.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of web page elements, including lists, tables, frames, and links
  • Demonstrate the ability to use some advanced tools and techniques in the creation of web pages, such as WYSIWYG editors, forms and interactive web page technologies.
Method of Instruction

This is an online class requiring students to be self-motivated and organized.  Time management is critical.  This class is hands-on with weekly assignments. Each week students can expect 2 hours of reading and 3 hours of hands-on computer work (including design, research, video tutorials, and online [eTudes] participation.

Because we do not meet face-to-face, I will attempt to supplement the text book by streaming video instruction and online activities as well as a variety of eTudes tools (chat, message forums, surveys, tests, etc.).

If you have difficulty with any aspects of the course [things not working, not understanding the assignments, etc.] please contact me ASAP.  You are responsible for your own learning.

Procedures and Policies

Students are required to follow the procedures and policies established by Mendocino College. Please note the following procedures/policies found in the course catalog:

Dropping and Grades of Withdrawal (see page 9 of the 2006-2008 course catalog for complete text) - "TelReg may be used to drop a class during the allowed drop period or the student may submit a completed drop card at Admissions and Records at the Ukiah Campus, or the Lake or Willits Centers."

Note: The instructor will not drop Students who are not participating. It is the responsibility of the student to take the appropriate steps to drop the class. Students who fail to turn in work and fail to drop the class risk failing the course. If you cannot complete the course, do not fail! Drop the class!

Students are required to adhere to the college's Academic Honesty Guidelines

All Mendocino College students are expected to avoid any type of dishonesty including: Plagiarism (copying someone else's sentences/phrases without properly citing the source), fabrication, duplication of assignments (your own or that of another student), and/or aiding in dishonesty. (See page 14 of the 2006-2008 course catalog for full text of the policies)

Additionally, CSC130 students must not use graphics, videos, or audio, which are subject to copyright law.  In addition to college disciplinary action, violation of copyright law in an arena as public as a website subjects students to the possibility of a legal action, including lawsuits and fines, should the copyright holder choose to prosecute.  It is tempting and easy to use cool images from the Internet, but do not do it, it is not worth the risk.

CSC130 students who violate the college's Academic Honesty Guidelines or copyright law will receive a failing grade on the assignment. Should a second violation of copyright law or Academic Dishonesty occur, the student will fail the course.

Grading Policy

While the majority of the grade is based on completed assignments, there will be chapter quizzes to ensure that students are keeping up with the reading.  Students are required to complete weekly assignments.

A weighted grading scale is used to determine final grades as follows:
  • Getting Started Activities 5%
  • Chapter Assignments 50%
  • Final Project 40%
  • Final Exam 5%
The grading scale is as follows:
A = 90-100%  /  B = 80-89%  /  C = 70-79%  /  D = 60-69%  /  F = 59% or less
Credit = 70% or better

Note: Students interested in the credit/no credit option must file the appropriate paperwork with the Admissions and Records office BEFORE the cut-off date, (TBA).
Tentative Schedule:
Week Begins CSC 130 [ONLINE]: Topics & Reading Assignments
1 19-Aug  Chapter 1: Intro to the Internet & WWW / Google, Gmail & Blogger
2 25-Aug  Chapter 2: HTML Basics
3 1-Sep  Chapter 3: Configuring Color and Text with CSS
4 8-Sep  Chapter 4: Visual Elements and Graphics / Photo Editing
5 15-Sep  Using FTP / Setting Up FTP Accounts
6 22-Sep  Chapter 5: Web Design
7 29-Sep  Chapter 6: Page Layout
8 6-Oct  Chapter 7: More on Links, Layout & Mobile
9 13-Oct  Chapter 8: Tables
10 20-Oct  Chapter 9: Forms
11 27-Oct  Chapter 10: Web Development
12 3-Nov  Chapter 11: Web Multimedia and Interactivity
13 10-Nov  Chapter 12: E-Commerce Overview
14 17-Nov  Chapter 13: Web Promotion
15 24-Nov  Chapter 14: A Brief Look at JavaScript
16 1-Dec  Final Project: Complete and Publish
17 8-Dec FINAL EXAM

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Internet and World Wide Web

  1. Browse Chapter 1 of the textbook but focus specifically on Accessibility and the Web (p.5) and Ethical Use of Information on the Web (p.7-8). 
  2. This video shows what people in 1969 thought the future of technology might be.  It's short and interesting to see just how accurate these predictions were:
  3. Check out this brief video about the Internet from 1981.  It's pretty amazing to see how far we have come. 
  4. Check out this news story video which was from a few years later and was talking about the Internet.
  5. Don't stress over the "alphabet soup" that is web page design.  I tend to avoid questions such as "Define the following: CERN, NCSA, NSF, ARPA, W3C, TCP, XML, XHTML, CSS, etc.".  I mostly want you to get a feel for where these things came from and their context.  To help with this, check out the brief video called "Warriors of the Net".  This video does a great job of explaining how the Internet works in human terms -- while still managing to fit in some "computerese".  I like it.  :)