There’s no place like home

“Life’s a voyage that’s homeward bound.”

-Herman Melville

Introduction

The readings for this week focused on web hosting or, as MacDonald put it, finding a home on the web. Home is a very powerful concept in our culture, and my thoughts were inevitably drawn to it. References to home are rife in web terminology and can be seen in such terms as home page. As I journey towards the creation of my first web site I, like Dorothy, am setting out on a quest through unfamiliar terrain to find my home.

Notes on Readings

MacDonald, Chapter 3

In Chapter 3, “Putting Your Page on the Web,” MacDonald discusses the issues associated with domain names and web hosting. He gives a description of the mechanism by which computers locate a website. This is done through the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The elements of a URL include:

• Protocol: Indicates the method of transmission, the most common of which is Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), information can also be transferred using File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• Domain: Identifies the hosting web server, usually begins with www to identify them as World Wide Web servers; names such as www.google.com will link to the Internet Protocol (IP) address, which is the numeric address computers use to locate a server
• File path: The folder where the web server stores the file being requested
• File name: Identifies the specific web page being requested
• Bookmark: Indicates the specific part of a web page being requested; always begins with a number sign (#)
• Query string: Used to send optional information from one web page to another; always begins with a question mark (?)

MacDonald explains that domain names contain only letters, numbers and dashes. They must be unique and it can be rather difficult to find one that is not already in use. The first step in putting one’s page on the web is to register a domain name. This can be done by:

• Domain parking: Registers a domain name so that no one else can use it
• Domain forwarding: Links a domain name to an external web host (such as an Internet Service Provider [ISP])
• Full web hosting: Domain name registration and web hosting through a single entity

MacDonald then discusses the next step, which is picking a web host. He points out the myriad of issues involved, which include:

• Web space: How much storage is needed for the site; typically this will be less than 20 MB unless it contains a great deal of pictures and video
• Bandwidth: The maximum amount of information the site can deliver to visitors in a given month
• Email: Whether one wishes to have an email account using their domain name and options for doing so
• Uploads: How easy it is to upload site files to the host; whether the host supports FTP or uploads from editing programs such as Dreamweaver
• Scripts: Features that allow added usability to a site; whether the host supports options such as emailing the information that visitors supply

I found this chapter to be very informative and full of information that is likely to prove very useful later on. Like most people I have been using the world wide web for years and was somewhat curious as to what went into delivering all of these sites to my screen. It was very interesting to get a peek behind the scenes.

MacDonald, Chapter 4

In Chapter 4, “Power Tools,” MacDonald discusses web editing software. He explains that while using a text editor such as Notepad is a good training tool, it is impractical to use this method to develop an entire web site using this method due to:

• Human error: Some browsers will correct mistakes in XHTML while others will not; this may cause a web page that looks fine to the creator to appear very sloppy to visitors
• Time consumption: The lack of any automation in a text editor can cause the simplest of tasks to take hours
• Uniformity: XHTML code appears the same as text, making it difficult to edit
• Manual entry: The need to input every command by hand can increase the time devoted to basic tasks even further

MacDonald explains that web editing software can be expensive but is often worth the investment. He describes the different types of web editors, which include:

• Text-based: Similar to a text editor but with automation built in
• Split window: A separate will render XHTML into a finished page as the author types
• What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG): The author will format the page and the program will generate the supporting XHTML code on the back end, works very much like a word processor such as Microsoft Word

MacDonald then discusses the different options for web editing software. He begins by discussing the free options, which include

• Nvu: An open source program based on Mozilla Firefox, the features include split-level XHTML and WYSISYG views
• Amaya: A freeware program adopted by the World Wide Web Consortium (the organization that sets internet standards), it contains many tools and views which can lead to confusion
• HTML-Kit: Does not have a WYSIWYG editor, but a plug-in can provide technical assistance of XHTML matters
• CoffeeCup: A Windows product, there is a free version available but it does not include the WYSIWYG option

MacDonald then discusses how intense competition among professional web editors has narrowed the field to just 2 top-tier choices. These include

• Adobe Dreamweaver: This is the favorite of XHTML experts and graphics designers, it allows users to fine-tune virtually every element of the XHTML code
• Microsoft Expression Web: Features a seamless WYSIWYG mode that duplicates many features of Microsoft Word

After reading all of the descriptions in the book, I still most likely would have opted for Adobe Dreamweaver, but it was enlightening to see all of the different options out there. While working through the exercises I found the WYSIWYG mode to be very difficult, so it would seem that I am making the mental association between XHTML and creating web sites. I certainly found it much easier to input the code in Dreamweaver and I look forward to discovering the full capabilities of the software.

Website Reviews

http://www.w3.org/

The W3 Consortium website is low on decoration and high on informative content, which I find to be rather pleasing. The toolbars on either side of the main content certainly has the potential to be distracting, but the consortium did it just right. This site is certainly a good example of what to do on the internet

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

Like the main page, the W3Schools page is very well-designed. While very minimal, it utilizes the same substance over style presentation that worked so well on the home page. The tutorials I found very informative as well. I just glanced at them but did see an explanation of one aspect of XHTML I was wondering about. This is definitely a good page for anyone who works with web sites to bookmark for future reference.

Final Thoughts

The desire for home is very powerful in us all. The internet adds a new dimension to this ancient longing. This new tool brings us the ability to build a home that the whole world can visit. If it is properly leveraged, then we can use it to make the all the people of the world our family. We are not so different, us the inhabitants of planet Earth. We all want that place to call home, and in various ways many of us go looking for it. But like Dorothy, so often we come to find that we never even left.

Until next time, take care of yourselves, and one another.

Farley

Hello world!

“When I first took office only high-energy physicists had heard of the world wide web. Now even my cat has his own website.”

- Bill Clinton

Introduction

Hello kind reader, and thank you for visiting my blog site. This site is for my class, Instructional Graphics (LIS 5315) with Dr. Scott Simon. As such all weekly assignments will be posted here. As this blog is instructional in nature, I will be using it both for practice and reflection as well. It is hoped that it will serve as a visual record of my own developing skills in web development. In keeping with the self-referential tradition of blogging, I will record my initial thoughts at the beginning of this course, and then move on to my first weekly assignment.

I must admit, I am very excited. Now that I have learned a little XHTML it feels like I am playing with a new toy on Christmas morning. The internet is quite possibly the most world-changing invention in human history. It’s impact upon the world we live in is roughly analogous to the impact of the printing press on Western civilization, only the change is happening much faster and the sheer volume of information available is rising at a geometric rate. One-third of the world’s population has internet access, and as this proportion grows larger the changes across the globe promise to be staggering. The ubiquitousness of the internet can be seen in the website for Socks the cat. Today, I take my first step into a larger universe.

Notes on Readings

MacDonald, Chapter 1

Creating a Web Site by Matthew MacDonald is a “nuts and bolts” manual for web development. In Chapter 1, “Preparing for the Web,” MacDonald begins with a basic history of the internet. He goes on to describe some of the issues involved in web site creation, to include web browsers, web servers and warns that not all monitors are created equal. He describes the various types of websites (personal sites, blogs, etc.), explains the modular nature of the modern web and recommends taking change as a given and planning accordingly when planning and developing one’s own site. He urges the practice of good design through simplicity, consistency and knowledge of one’s audience. He concludes with a breakdown of the ingredients of a good website.

I found this chapter to be quite helpful and a very non-intimidating introduction to a subject with the potential to be quite intimidating. Most technical manuals tend to be dry and hard to follow, but I found MacDonald to be a very easy read. The points about how different browsers and monitors can affect the appearance of a site I found to be good advice, and this chapter did a great job of getting me thinking like a web developer.

MacDonald, Chapter 2

Chapter 2, “Creating Your First Page,” is a step-by-step guide for making a simple web page. MacDonald begins with a description of XHTML and how it fits into the big picture of the internet. He explains how to view the source XHTML of any given website. MacDonald then explains how a simple notepad file can be used to write one’s own XHTML to create a web page in .htm format. He breaks down various elements of XHTML, to include document type definitions, tags, container elements, standalone elements and nesting elements. MacDonald then walks the reader through creating a simple resume site as an exercise. He explains how to include image files, lists the most important commands and demonstrates how to check one’s files for errors.

I enjoyed reading this chapter and working through the exercises very much. MacDonald does a great job of teaching technical tasks to his readers through the sheer joy of creation. I feel I now have a firm grasp of the basics of XHTML and I cannot wait to learn more.

MacDonald, Chapter 17

Chapter 17, “Blogs” does for web logs what the rest of his book does for web pages in general. He begins with a comparison and contrast of blogs and general websites. He points out the benefits of blogs, to include:

• They are more personalized and give one much more leeway in the selection of a topic
• The chronological ordering of entries takes a lot of the pain out of deciding how to organize one’s site
• Bolgs to not require the kind of painstaking revamping and rechecking that a web site does
• Blogs are suitable for communication regarding virtually every topic under the sun
• Blogs invite conversations with one’s readers

MacDonald then gives a word of caution regarding the inherent pitfalls of blogging, discusses syndication and the various hosting options for one’s blog. Next, MacDonald gives step-by-step instructions for setting up a blog using Google’s Blogger service. He then gives some advice regarding blog formatting, management and settings. He concludes by discussing comment moderation, self-hosting one’s blog site and promoting a blog.

Like the rest of the book, I found this chapter to be rather helpful. My only prior experience with blogging was a short-lived MySpace blog that ended up leaving quite a lot to be desired. With MacDonald’s instructions I have succeeded in setting up a much more interactive and visually pleasing blog on my first try. His cautionary tales of what not to blog I found to be very good advice as well.

Beaird, Preface

The Principles of Beautiful Web Design by Jason Beaird is a book focused on the art rather than the science of creating web pages. In the Preface Beaird uses interior decoration to explain the principles of design. He talks about the beauty of simplicity and advises the reader to use the Internet Wayback Machine to look at the websites of Fortune 500 companies from the mid-1990s. I used this tool to view the websites of HP, IBM and Microsoft from 1996 and was amazed by how little I saw. Beaird did a great job of summing up his minimalist approach to design and explaining how his reader’s can make beautiful creations through his “less is more” philosophy.

Website Reviews

http://www.principlesofbeautifulwebdesign.com/index.php

As one would expect from his book, Beaird’s website is very zen-like and minimalist. The use of color and texture is quite clever and inviting. The site contains few features beyond some links and a one-paragraph summary of each chapter of the book. I must say I was rather disappointed. The site felt rather shallow and came across as little more than a commercial for the book.

http://missingmanuals.com/cds/creatingws2tmm/

This is quite the interactive site containing supplementary material for just about every aspect of MacDonald’s book. It is just about the polar opposite of the previous site, being long on features and short on illustration. I would think users of this site would be willing to forgive it’s comparative lack of aesthetics in light of the veritable cornucopia of helpful materials for the budding web developer.

http://www.gimp.org/

The GIMP website is the first site I have reviewed thus far that seems to have found the “happy medium” of visually pleasing aesthetics and interactive, user-friendly features. I downloaded the GIMP software without any problems. My only complaint is that the User Manual reads like radio instructions and does a rather poor job of imparting knowledge of GIMP’s use to the user.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

The Smashing Magazine website I found to be rather busy. It was crammed with features and graphics to the point of being distracting and difficult to find what one was looking for. Some of the features look rather helpful, but I think their web designer could benefit from reading Beaird’s book.

http://2advanced.com/

As far as aesthetics is concerned, 2advanced is definitely off the charts. This is obviously a website designed with impressing corporate clients in mind though, as there is little of interest to the masses beyond eye candy. The one feature that may be of interest to the general public was the option to download their wallpaper, which I must say I found rather disappointing.

http://www.thefwa.com/

FWA is another right website that seems to have found the right balance between design and functionality. The ability to preview and visit the winning sites was very nice. I decided to visit the VW Sunday Drive website and was tickled pink by the clever design and user interaction.

http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/

This site was both humorous and helpful. From here I navigated to the homepage of George Hutchins for Congress to get a good dose of what not to do. The site was full of ugly, bright clashing colors, chock full of one distracting feature after another, and scrolled down for ages, encouraging the user to go somewhere else (something I will have to end this blog entry soon in order to avoid).

http://blog.usf.edu/

I found the Blogs@USF website to be both visually appealing and rather helpful. The design resembled a newspaper, which I found to be a very good idea as the paper was designed to catch the eye years before the web. I also found the news and features on the site to be a good aid to the novice blogger. I decided to pay this site the ultimate compliment and set up shop here.

https://www.blogger.com/start

The Blogger website I found to be simple, aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. I have used Google products for many years and consistently been impressed by their helpful, continually improving and user-friendly features. The only reason I did not start my blog here is that so many other people I know are already on Blogger, and I wanted to stand out from the pack.

http://wordpress.com/

I thought the WordPress site left a little something to be desired. While I have been converted to the minimalist approach, the developers of this site seemed to have paid insufficient attention to aesthetics. I found the features to be on the busy side as well, I would suggest they reorganize and streamline.

Final Thoughts

The world is very different today. The ability to communicate with anyone in the world in real-time is a very heady power indeed, and by taking these first, halting baby steps onto the web I feel like I am grabbing the bull by the horns. The internet is a revolutionary tool, and I can only hope that with patience and practice I will learn the skills necessary to use it for good.

Until next time, take care of yourselves, and one another.

Farley