Intermediate to Advanced

I should mention that I have been following along with a online tutorial at HTML Dog. They do a pretty good job of clearly explaining their tutorials for both HTML and CSS.

I'm finding the advanced tutorial a little daunting because they expect you to refer to the intro for setting up your files rather than recap how to setup your html to link to the css file. Also they cover a lot of tags which I'm just skimming at this point, knowing i'll just need a code bible on hand for the 'right' moments to use specific tags.

I'm still working from a public computer so I'm not easily able to upload my working files to show what I've been up to. I'm supposed to get my laptop back Friday, so I'll add links to these old posts soon.

It was interesting to be told not to use tables for layout. I'd forgot about that change in technique since the advent of css. It will be nice to build my own sites from scratch and not have to rely on someone else to "make it work".

[Intimidation: 8/10]

Technical Difficulties

Eh...my laptop's fan has failed causing it to overheat if I use any of my good applications.

I'll get back to you after repairs.

Day 1

Off to a good start. Decided to leave myself some time (from my allotted 2 hours) to make this post.

You can see what I worked on this morning here:

http://www.greenodesign.com/blog/

So most of this was material I've learned at least 3 times before but never remember for very long after I quit. It's obvious that with programming (or any new language) you need to use it on a regular basis or it will be lost. I'm turning over a new leaf.

It was pretty cool to learn the File Directory tag (browse computer for file button). It was something new.

[Intimidation: 5/10]  [Cocky-ness: 10/10]

The Plan

This Blog is intended to help me in a few ways.

First it is a method of tracking my progress, which I've been recently reminded of, helps in morale.

Secondly, by making this Blog public I'm hoping to hear from designers, developers and anyone who has ever faced the challenge I set before myself. Hopefully after a while this blog may even help others with their own conversion to code-artists.

Why am I doing this? Well I've worked as a graphic designer for the past ten years. Print and Web design has evolved and I'm falling behind. For my professional career as well as my own feeling of accomplishment I'm going to learn this elusive art.

Why not learn Actionscript? PHP? IPhone Development?

The short answer is: I've considered it and finally decided to go with what seems to be the general consensus around the net. The foundation of the web is HTML, CSS and XHTML. Flash may be more fun right now, but it feels too separate from the idea of open-source to take a chance.

As for the more advanced languages, I hope to get there someday but right now HTML is too much a part of my field to skip it because some folks are finding success in the App market.

[Energy Level: 100%] [Intimidation Level: 10/10]

Starting is the Easy Part

I don't take this lightly.

The road from Front End Designer to Back End Developer is as perilous as Frodo's journey to Mordor.

Each day will certainly hold potential for frustration, temptation (to cheat or quit), exhilaration, setback and triumph. It goes wihout saying that this 'project' will require great discipline.

But I've overcome tougher challenges in the past. I will do this.

Here we go.