Viewing Thread:
"web design - what do I need to know?"

I've decided that I need a hobby. I've picked web design. The problem is I know very little about it. I tought myself basic html (The stuff you can learn in a day)and I'm now trying to improve on that.

My question is, to be a good web designer what do I need to teach myself. The list of things I want to teach myself at the moment is:

xHTML
CSS
Javascript

other things I've heard about and I think I might need to know are:

Java
C (or C++, or whatever it is)
CGI

I don't really know much at all, so If you could explain what things I need to learn and why.

I want to be able to design semi-professional web pages by the end of the year, but I would also like advice on where to go after that. Which order should I teach myself in etc.

All help appreciated. I know this sounds a bit confused, but thats because I don't really know what I'm doing, which is why I'm asking for help.

Thanks

I know about tables and frames.

I think I know most basic HTML now.

thanks for everyones comments. I'm taking them all on board.

and that webmonkey site is great

If you are interested in making interactive 'rich' media websites then look into Flash and Actionscript, as the rewards do pay off later.
Unfortunately Flash is expensive so if you you are interested in using it either 'find' a copy or just get SWiSH which is cheaper and simpler to use (but has less flashy results).
Oh and make sure the host you choose supports PHP and SQL if you are going to use those languages.

I have set up a site which teaches you the basics of web design, and if you are like me, you will try to experiment with the code to learn new things. I read very little and was taught very little when I started my first site. It is very easy to work things out ofr yourself, just playing around with letters and code.

One of my most popular websites to date is NetWise. It is still under construction, and currently offers stuff which I would consider very basic, although these things may be quite advanced for you. No offense meant! Anyway, take a look at the site, clickon some of the available links and give it a good read through.

http://netwise.tk

Basically, all you need to make a good site is:
- A fairly basic understanding
- The will to make one
- A web browser
- Microsoft Notepad, MS DOS or WordPad

cjh wrote:
If you take a look at:
> http://ukchatforums.com/display_forums.php?groupid=2
> ... and then ...
> http://www.chrisjhaig.co.uk/SR_Sample/

And that's a bad example of correct use of xHTML and CSS1/2

Now for some Correct uses of CSS/xHTML including pseudo classes and contextual identifiers:

http://www.blackwellpublshing.com/socialpolicy
(validates against xHTML 1.0 Transitional, though there are a few no-no's with non correct use of special charachters)

or

http://wip.blackwellpublishing.com/wwwsubjsitescorp
(there's a slight issue in IE5 re the last two boxes in the centre column, but this is about as complex as your gonna get with CSS/xHTML)

Just how bad are we talking here??

Oh, and the first link doesn't appear to work. But the second link works and looks good, is it the same sort of thing as the first link should be??

cjh wrote:
> Just how bad are we talking here??
>
> Oh, and the first link doesn't appear to work. But the second link
> works and looks good, is it the same sort of thing as the first link
> should be??