|
HTML - Just Starting Out, Any Guidance?
Hello everyone,
I'm a Computer Science student mainly trained in mathematics and programming languages like C/C++ and Java; I wanted to branch out more into web design and decided to start with learning HTML. So far, I've signed up for free hosting with Xtreemhost to give myself a sandbox to play with and familiarized myself with Classic FTP. I'm teaching myself using Sam's Teach Yourself HTML and CSS Eighth Edition. My main frustration comes from my understanding that HTML 5 is the newest standard, but the book I use is using XHTML 1.1 as the standard for teaching. Will this really make much of a difference? Is there anywhere/anything I'm better off learning HTML from if I'm just going to be learning a bunch of deprecated stuff from XHTML 1.1? It is also my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) that even though the standard has been issued for HTML 5, browsers are generally slow to add in support for it. So does it really matter at this point in time what standard I am using (HTML 4, XHTML 1.1, HTML 5, whatever) to learn? Would it be correct to say that I can use XHTML 1.1 if I really want to, but if I want to take advantage of all the pretty features of HTML 5, I need to abandon some of my apparently deprecated XHTML 1.1 ways first? On the other hand, if not all browsers are at this point in time supporting the HTML 5 features, why create a website that uses it if it's not going to work consistently across all browsers? As you can see, I'm a little confused =/ I'd appreciate if someone could shed some light on this for me and give me some guidance on... well... where to start learning, really; my Googling gives me conflicting information. My plan was to learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript, then learn how TCP/IP works, pick up some proficiency in Photoshop and Dreamweaver/Frontpage, then branch out into server-side technologies like PHP, ASP, etc... I already have some knowledge of SQL from my database design and programming class. I did try learning from w3schools.com, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the material isn't quite comprehensive, which bugs me. Similar TutorialsI have a few questions actually... first off, I am an aspiring html programmer. What I want to know is with the following code, how can I utilize this information that is recieved from the user?
Code: <html>
<body>
<div id="shipForm">
<div id="shipFormContainer">
<div id="shipFormHeader1">
</div>
<div id="shipFormHeader2">
</div>
<div id="shipFormContent" name="shipFormContent">
<form id="theForm" name="theForm" action="a.htm" method="post" >
<input type="hidden" name="index" id="index" value="1"/>
<input type="hidden" name="email" id="email" value=""/>
<label for=""></label><div class="clear"></div>
<label for="title">Title: </label>
<select id="title" name="title" class="formElement">
<option value="">Select</option>
<option value="Mr" >Mr.</option>
<option value="Ms" >Ms.</option>
<option value="Mrs" >Mrs.</option>
</select>
<div class="clear"></div>
<label for="firstname">First Name: </label>
<input class="formElement" type="text" name="firstname" id="firstname" value="" /><br />
<div class="clear"></div>
<label for="lastname">Last Name: </label>
<input class="formElement" type="text" name="lastname" id="lastname" value="" /><br />
<div class="clear"></div>
<label for="address">Address: </label>
<input class="formElement" type="text" name="address" id="address" value="" /><br />
<div class="clear"></div>
<label for="city">City: </label>
<input class="formElement" type="text" name="city" id="city" value="" /><br />
<div class="clear"></div>
<label for="state">State: </label>
<select name="state" id="state" class="formElement">
<option value="">Select</option>
<option value="AK" >AK</option>
<option value="AL" >AL</option>
<option value="AR" >AR</option>
<option value="AZ" >AZ</option>
<option value="CA" >CA</option>
<option value="CO" >CO</option>
<option value="CT" >CT</option>
<option value="DC" >DC</option>
<option value="DE" >DE</option>
<option value="FL" >FL</option>
<option value="GA" >GA</option>
<option value="HI" >HI</option>
<option value="IA" >IA</option>
<option value="ID" >ID</option>
<option value="IL" >IL</option>
<option value="IN" >IN</option>
<option value="KS" >KS</option>
<option value="KY" >KY</option>
<option value="LA" >LA</option>
<option value="MA" >MA</option>
<option value="ME" >ME</option>
<option value="MD" >MD</option>
<option value="MI" >MI</option>
<option value="MO" >MO</option>
<option value="MN" >MN</option>
<option value="MS" >MS</option>
<option value="MT" >MT</option>
<option value="NC" >NC</option>
<option value="ND" >ND</option>
<option value="NE" >NE</option>
<option value="NH" >NH</option>
<option value="NJ" >NJ</option>
<option value="NM" >NM</option>
<option value="NV" >NV</option>
<option value="NY" >NY</option>
<option value="OH" >OH</option>
<option value="OK" >OK</option>
<option value="OR" >OR</option>
<option value="PA" >PA</option>
<option value="RI" >RI</option>
<option value="SC" >SC</option>
<option value="SD" >SD</option>
<option value="TN" >TN</option>
<option value="TX" >TX</option>
<option value="UT" >UT</option>
<option value="VA" >VA</option>
<option value="VT" >VT</option>
<option value="WA" >WA</option>
<option value="WI" >WI</option>
<option value="WV" >WV</option>
<option value="WY" >WY</option>
</select>
<div class="clear"></div>
<label for="zip">Zip: </label>
<input class="formElement" maxlength="5" type="text" name="zip" id="zip" value="" /><br />
<div class="clear"></div>
<label for="phone1">Phone: </label>
<input class="inputShort" maxlength="3" type="text" id="phone1" name="phone1" value="" />
<input class="inputShort" maxlength="3" type="text" id="phone2" name="phone2" value="" />
<input class="inputShort" maxlength="4" type="text" id="phone3" name="phone3" value="" />
<div class="clear"></div>
<input class="formElement" type="submit" name="shipSubmitBtn" id="shipSubmitBtn" value="" />
</form>
</div>
<div class="clear"></div>
<div id="shipFormFooter">
</div>
<div class="clear"></div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>
I basically just want, at the moment, to be able to use a simple javascript function on the page "a.html" using document.write("Your first name is:" +pointertofirstname) Secondly, how do I actually go about setting up an http/ftp server? I know how to set up an ftp server, but can I use a computer containing windows xp home to host a server? windows xp pro? is there just a program I need? LASTLY, how would I add this information to a database(the info recieved from the original html code) so that when they log in to some sort of account that information is displayed on the account page. Sorry for any really dumb questions, Thanks I'm trying desperately to get my website up and running through 3 programs. A. Photoshop CS2 B. Dreamweaver trial account - lasts 29 days C. FileZilla I'm at the point of complete breakdown and punching holes in my wall. I'm sure you can imagine that if someone whose whole range of expertise relies solely in photoshops paint brush tool, that if he just decided to build a website one day, that giant brick wall of nonsensical code and symbols is going to be far more than intimidating. I've made a strong attempt to do this by myself and with the help of tutorials, but I tell you it hasn't helped even a little bit. I need someone who is comfortable and knowledgable with this area who can guide me and walk me through the steps and what I should know and do to get my design and ideas up on my domain. I have the domain name from go-daddy as well I am hosted with them. My website is www.fuzzleart.com and as you can see, its quite blank. I know you don't know who I am and my needs don't affect you either way, but please put yourself in my shoes and help me out as others may have helped you when you first started out. I would prefer it if we could have immediate and direct communication through Instant messengers as that would really ease up the process. If your willing to help, please IM at; AIM: SergeantFuzz MSN: Fuzzlemail@gmail.com or send me a PM here and we can arrange a way to communicate. I would seriously appreciate any help you can give me. EDIT: Resaved the code via Notepad as .html and that worked. A simple misstep. However a whole new slew of problems have come into play, such as incompatibility with different email programs on varying browsers. Here are the "highlights" I would like to address. Gmail: - Background color on gmail is removed. - Most CSS is selectively modified in gmail, such as h1-h4's size and colors and link colors. Windows Live Mail: - Just a blank email, no text, no nada. Windows Live Outlook: - Another blank email. Yahoo Mail, AOL, Thunderbird, any other email provider: - Need to test The goal is to get it looking like this: http://www.delta-visions.net/dvshare...letterdv1.html I've tried resolving the no background in gmail, but the tutorials on how to do so are just above my head and seem to have no effect when I attempt them. Here's a .txt file of the code: http://www.delta-visions.net/dvshare...sletterdv1.txt I'm not looking for someone to do the work for me, just some guidance and some breaking down of the technical terms and methods for creating a functioning email newsletter, in that all the links work correctly, the actions performs concisely, and the graphical aspect of it stays intact. Helpful tips are welcomed and pointing out my mistakes is encouraged. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. I have website, and blog sites, and all the social sites. I need some help with basic web design, and html script. I have been reading like crazy and studying tutorials for hours and hours on end. I understand the html scripts, just can't execute! I also am very frustranted not being able to set up the links on my sites. i.e. for quick connection to my twitter, facebook, linked in, google blog site and on and on and on! Also linking all my sites together...... Hello I am working on a contact form an email one and it doesnt seem to be working can someone please take alook at it and let me know what i am doing wrong. Thank you. <td><form method="post" action="/frms/contactmail.pl"> <input type="hidden" name="SoupermailConf" value="/frms/contact.con"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td><table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"> <tr> <td align="Right"><b>Your Name: <span class="style1">*</span></b></td> <td width="70%"><input type="TEXT" name="Name" style="width: 90%;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="Right"><b>E-mail Address: <span class="style1">*</span></b></td> <td><input type="TEXT" name="Name2" style="width: 90%;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="Right"><b>Company:</b></td> <td><input type="TEXT" name="Name3" style="width: 90%;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="Right"><b>How did you find us?</b></td> <td><input type="TEXT" name="Name4" style="width: 90%;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"><b> Questions: <span class="style1">* </span></b></td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center"><textarea name="Question" rows="8" style="width: 90%;" wrap="VIRTUAL"></textarea> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center"><input type="submit" name="Submit" value="Submit Form"> <br> </td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> </table> </form> <font face="Verdana, Arial" size="1" color="#000000"><b><font color="#FF0000">* Required</font></b></font></td> Hi everyone, I've just recently started to teach myself XHTML and CSS and so far have been having a very enjoyable experience However I'm having problems with coming to grips with the various languages and software packages. I've just been using notepad so far and Photoshop for images. Is it worth just sticking with note and photoshop that or would their be more benefit from using a package such as Dreamweaver etc? Also I do intend to take it quite seriously maybe even as a job so which other languages would be most useful, Javascript or any others? Thanks a lot to anyone that replies Hello all, I am designing my first website and have taught myself the very basics of HTML/CSS but am at a bit of a loss where to start. I want to start by creating the layout. Is this the usual way? I want about 5 pages and so would like to create the navigation bar down the left and drop down menus at the top which will then link to blank pages - all laid out, ready for text/photos etc to be added. I realise that the layout should be created in CSS. Tables, I believe, are bad practice for layout design. What should I use instead? I am grateful for anyone's help to get me off the starting blocks! All the best Phil Here's my code in TextEdit: Got that first bit of code from horus' tutorial on this site. I saved it as a .html, then proceeded to open it in Google Chrome, Safari, and Internet explorer; all the same result. Why does it spit out this? Should i not be using textedit? I've been looking into the CSS, what about those? Hey, so I want to learn html and I was just wondering what books you guys would suggest starting out with? I'd like my MP3 file to play continuously, without starting over each time a new page is opened. Is there code for telling the mp3 to not start over when opening a new page? Here's the code I use now: <EMBED SRC="Jaded.mp3" AUTOSTART="true" HIDDEN="false" LOOP="true"> Thank you for your assistance! So I designed some websites in Photoshop and I'm still learning it, but recently I saw many people talking about Fireworks and how it is a way better way of producing web design work than Photoshop. They say FW is a more efficient tool, as it was strictly built to create web design. That in terms of web design, it can do everything Photoshop can, but in a more simple way. Is it true? If it is, I think learning Fireworks is a good idea. But..there are soooo many Photoshop tutorials and so much less Fireworks tutorials. And that's my second question: Can I apply Photoshop web design tutorials to Fireworks? I mean, can I watch/ read Photoshop tutorials and figure out how to do the exact same things in Fireworks? Heyy im new to all this but i was woundering if someone could tell me the HTML codes for a sucsessfull FORUM Because i have being usein these free ones but i think now its time to get my own real one please help me out Thanks Haydn |
|||||||