Where/What to learn for web design?

[Schwartz]

Hi guys,
I want to learn how to make websites nothing like extremely hectic but still pretty impressive.

I know simple Java/Swing and grasp the concept extremely well.
I want to know what language I should learn as well as HOW to learn it.

It will have to be something I can learn at home(and hopefully free?) by myself as I dont have time during the day

Thanks

 

[stormwalkerza]

Use a WYSIWUG software like Dreamweaver

Websites are designed using html/xhtml, the main difference is when you get to dynamic stuff, then theres the two most used schools of design, php (linux) or asp flavours (windows).

Some people will swear by there language and people can argue for and agaisnt both. If you can learn both. thats the best ever, else it all depends on who sways you.

Some things to remember, linux servers are a fraction of the cost to windows servers, as the hosts have to pay large sums for windows server software, where as the linux server software is usually free.

There are packages out there where you can get unlimited domains on linux servers from about $5, windows side is usually $25+ for something simular.

Theres also a difference between website design and website development.

Design is more static sites, your usual 5 pager up to a catalogue site.
Develop is usually database/eccomerce type sites.

Design sites made in html will run on all web servers regardless of the type.
Developed sites are language specific.

My reccomendation is start with basic design in html and make them till your dreaming of making sites.

As you state that you know some java, there are developers who use java for the database / ecommerce side, but not as many as asp/php side.

A good place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HTML_editors#WYSIWYG_editors

Storm

 

[Schwartz]

Use a WYSIWUG software like Dreamweaver

Websites are designed using html/xhtml, the main difference is when you get to dynamic stuff, then theres the two most used schools of design, php (linux) or asp flavours (windows).

Some people will swear by there language and people can argue for and agaisnt both. If you can learn both. thats the best ever, else it all depends on who sways you.

Some things to remember, linux servers are a fraction of the cost to windows servers, as the hosts have to pay large sums for windows server software, where as the linux server software is usually free.

There are packages out there where you can get unlimited domains on linux servers from about $5, windows side is usually $25+ for something simular.

Theres also a difference between website design and website development.

Design is more static sites, your usual 5 pager up to a catalogue site.
Develop is usually database/eccomerce type sites.

Design sites made in html will run on all web servers regardless of the type.
Developed sites are language specific.

My reccomendation is start with basic design in html and make them till your dreaming of making sites.

As you state that you know some java, there are developers who use java for the database / ecommerce side, but not as many as asp/php side.

A good place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HTML_editors#WYSIWYG_editors

Storm

thanks man

 

[Schwartz]

so I should learn html to start?
any where online that I can do this?

 

[Drake2007]

http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp

 

[Schwartz]

http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp

thanks

 

[Drake2007]

Get your development server setup, I found WAMP the easiest ( apache PHP ). Linux hosts are generally cheaper hosting solutions when you get around to getting your domain and webhost sorted out.

I'm pretty much going through the same thing myself, used Dreamweaver to get a website up in a hurry.

Now I've had to scrap that design as the old dreamweaver version I had (dunno about the new one) worked heavily with tables for the layout which turns out to be a no-no these days.

So redesign with Netbeans (PHP) and had to learn a whole new way of doing things with <div> tags with CSS id and classes, works out much better as you have so much more controll over the page and everything in it.

On that note of CSS, install google chrome, the inspector shows you exactly what's up with CSS. Firefox with firebug for the javascript stuff. And yeah I kept all this software installed into a virtual PC so it doesn't get a chance to screw up my machine, also save state for reboots so no reloading all the kark again and losing your place.

Right now I'm getting my head around google's Map API and then onto the guestbook stuff - get's more and more interesting as you go along, found myself up till 6am one morning just working with it.

 

[Schwartz]

well I have been programing in java in net beans!
I am gonna finish that tutorial link u sent me then move onto net beans... thanks man

 

[Drake2007]

Another thing, might as well do it right the first and save on learning bad habbits.

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">

Use that in your pages from the outset.

What website are you actually going to set up as your webhost will have software templates etc. ready for you to install.

 

[charlieharper]

I'm thinking of start learning HTML (Just as I'm a beginner). Which editor should I use to start it?

 

[Drake2007]

Lots of editors, even notepad can create html docs.
Though have a look for notepad++