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.