Resources for Web Development Students @ Robin’s Blog

When creating valid XHTML documents you must specify the DTD or Document Type Definition at the beginning of your document. This DTD is also called a Doctype. The Doctype code tells the browser how to interpret the remainder of the code on the page. There are three Doctypes that you can use when working with XHTML. They are strict, transitional [...]

I wanted to share a few more HomeSite features that may help you to get your lessons done faster. Line numbers: Click the line number icon in the Editor toolbar (vertical toolbar) to turn on line numbering. This is helpful when you are validating documents or dubugging JavaScript and PHP errors. Edit > Convert Tag Case: If you have a [...]

Dale shared a handout for the eBig Web Development SIG or Special Interest Group. It looks like they have all kinds of great topics and speakers. You can learn more about the web development SIG at the eBig home page. The DVPC, Diablo Valley PC Users Group, is our local computer users group. You can visit DVPC at http://www.dvpc.org/. Do [...]

Time has compiled its 50 coolest web site list for 2005. Take a look at these top 50 sites layout, design and content. StopDesign has a new article on Zoom Layouts for accessibility. CSS design for the future: workaround vs hacks – a discussion of hacks vs. workarounds in CSS. Communicating error messages accessibly. This article addresses the need to [...]

We have to update our classroom version of Firefox in order to use the Firefox Extension Center. Unfortunately, this is something that I must do on all of the machines or deploy a new image. Please do not try to download and intall the latest version of Firefox. I am working on creating a new image, but for the time [...]

New students: I would recommend that today you take a look at Firefox, a web browser that we use extensively in class. You can learn more about Firefox in this tutorial Using Mozilla Firefox. You will find Firefox and the available extensions very helpful in class. After reading the tutorial, be sure to install Aardvark. Aardvark is a useful Firefox [...]

How to Select a Web Host If you are unsure of what web hosting is, please review this short article from WebServices.com. The first thing that you need to do when you’re ready to purchase hosting is determine your hosting needs. Here are some questions you should research: Does the potential host charge a setup fee? Many hosts do not [...]

Welcome new students! We all hope that you will enjoy the program. There are a couple of articles that I would like you to read today: Important Notes for Students Starting the XHTML Book HTML Character Entities Now for some goodies from around the web: Many of you are now working on the CSS unit. Now is the time to [...]

I got a few more modules installed on the forum. Wait, let me back up. The forum uses a package called Xoops. Xoops is a free content management system. It’s pretty easy to install and it is what’s called “extensible” which means that you can add different modules (features) to the system. Over the weekend I added some new modules [...]

Towards the end of class we discussed our desire to keep in touch. I decided to create a class forum that we can use to share resources, get feedback on projects, and just shoot the breeze. I hope that you will all actively participate in the new forum, this is open to all current and former students. Here is the [...]