Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘CSS’

21
Aug

HTML Tidbits

Just out of curiosity, I reviewed some of the HTML training on Lynda.com. I believed I had decent HTML chops and wanted to see how they approached learning HTML, from a beginner’s standpoint. I noticed they used “not recommended practices” in the beginning videos (no doctype declaration, font tag soup, etc.), but if you watch all the videos, they slowly add more “best practices” into the mix. And, I picked up a few tidbits I didn’t know.

Did you know…?

  • The HTML 4.01 Transitional docType doesn’t require the ending <p> tag.
  • The strict docTypes (especially XHTML 1) will often ignore your CSS directives.
  • UTF-8 charset is the “ideal” definition according to the W3C, but ISO 8859-1 is the best in practice.

The second one I have experienced for myself. I’m not an advanced-level CSS coder yet, and XHTML (strict) practically requires it. I kept getting balked with my layout work, so I switched back to HTML 4.01 Transitional. Until I can do advanced CSS techniques, XHTML (with the strict docType) is not going to work for me.

31
Jul

Wanted: Entry-Level Front End Coder

We build web sites, run e-mail campaigns, post print deliverables online, manage e-classifieds, cover Angus events live on the Web and shake up the Ag. industry in general. This position can be considered an open internship if you are a student. It is a part-time gig, with pay based on level of experience and knowledge.

Requirements:

  • Exceptional coder (HTML and CSS required) /* Hmm…I hope this line doesn’t put off students. */
  • Standards-based development (W3C validation. Section 508 a plus)
  • Experience using WYSIWYG programs like Dreamweaver or GoLive
  • Understand cross browser/cross platform compatibility
  • Image manipulation and optimization using PhotoShop or Fireworks
  • Knowledge of Mac OS X and Windows XP platforms
  • Experience with JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, XML, and/or Flash a plus

Responsibilities:

  • Update content on existing sites
  • Build new pages for existing sites
  • Build Flash banner ads
  • Design ads to run in e-mail campaigns
  • Post print deliverables (sale books, ads, brochures) online
  • More advanced projects available depending on skill level.

See more about us at http://api-webservices.com. Our scheduling is flexible, but we are in the office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Send your resume and portfolio to Rich Masoner.

This position is on-site at the office (3201 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO) with flexible hours. Rich asked me to write the job description and he approved it yesterday. What isn’t mentioned in the description is that it is a part-time position that can lead into an offer for full time. We are hoping to fill the position before October. If you know someone interested, send them the detailed PDF.

5
Feb

IE7 CSS List Bug

Not really a bug, just a bad combination of CSS. If you style navigation links using list items, don’t repeat my mistake:

#nav ul{
list-style-type: none;
list-style-position: inside;
}

I had both these elements but in separate areas of my code. IE7 interprets this as an invisible bullet, creating a mysterious ~10px margin where the bullet would be located. Firefox overrides other list-style declarations when list-style-type: none; is present.

IE7 with my poorly written CSS:

FF 2 rendered my CSS the same both times:

IE7 with good CSS:

I also noticed IE7 does not draw in the yellow grooved bottom border. It lazily draws in a solid black border instead. Yuck.

13
Sep

Essential Reading for Future Web Designers & Developers

“It’s back to school time!” blares every tacky, family-oriented commercial. And so it is.

Real Hackers don’t use CSS a walk through the design process, from tables and frames to CSS.

Getting Things Done When You’re Only a Grunt or, cutting through the stupid B.S. in office politics/bad group projects so you don’t get dragged down with it. Do read the comments afterward, the discussion adds a great deal of insight to the article.

50 Designers x 6 Questions with many gems of truths to be found:

One Typical Myth, that isn’t true: It’s simple, and anybody can do it.
Myth: Web development is for boys. Truth: Web development is for Spartan warriors. People still underestimate the amount of effort that goes into creating a great site or application. The various components are easy, but putting them together in the right way takes time and experience.

17
Jul

Portfolio

Oh, are you looking for my résumé?

The Process

Involves slicing a Photoshop file and using a hand-coded XHTML template with a blueprint stylesheet. Clients choose a custom design from the style gallery. I am usually the one who updates them, but they are converted to Dreamweaver templates so others can also edit them.

Web Design & Layout

Logos are sent to API Web Services before site design begins.

Just Code

Existing websites, rebuilt from tables to (X)HTML and CSS:

New websites

Print Work

Downloadable PDFs of print designs I have created.

Misc. Projects

« Older Entries