Overall, I have to say that JavaScript is neat. I love the things that it's capable of doing, and the interactivity options that it can give to a designer.
However, as far as my personal interactivity with it? Well, let's just say that I don't think I'd call myself completely 'capable' when it comes to working with it. I'm fine when it comes to tweaking something written, but I still, for the life of me, can't wrap my head around how to build it from scratch. Knowing more of the definitions and the keywords is a huge help, but I don't think that I'll be using beyond the built in features of Dreamweaver.
Anyway, I'm still glad I took the class and that I got to work with all of you. Thanks so much for being fantastic classmates. I really enjoyed the way we all pulled together to solve difficult problems.
Good Luck!
-M.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Events.
I came. I saw. It conquered.
Yeah, okay. So I have to say that this is getting into the good stuff. Well, at least the way that it looks on the screen is good. It's really cool to add the interactivity. There is so much great applicability to the accordion! If I could master it, I'd use it all over the place, even for my navigation! I think my biggest challenge with this is that I'm still having problems with the old stuff, and so this new stuff is really hard for me to get from the ground up. I've decided the worst part about this is that I couldn't even tell you what it is exactly I don't understand.
I understand principles. I understand definitions (mostly.) When I see it, I can pretty much follow what's going on. Still, for the life of me, I can not figure out how to program it from the ground up. Give me a screen with nothing and say, 'here, do this' and I'm boggled. Give me something that's already made, like the accordion and the tooltips, and I can pick them apart enough to make them work to a degree. On the tooltip assignment, there was something in the pre-built code from the examples that was making it hard for me to assign it to one of my links I'd already created. I couldn't get it to work with the existing code, but if I made a new page with no other divs, viola!
Events are good, events are great, but I get stuck right out the gate. Again, I understand how they plug into DOM, but I don't know where to stick it from scratch.
Oy vey. I don't know what the deal is. I've watched the videos over and over. I read the chapters more than once. For some reason though, something very important just isn't falling into place. It's not 'clicking'. The closer we get to finals time, the more worried I am about it, even though I'm scraping by with the skin of my teeth. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a magic JavaScript decoder ring in the bottom of a CrackerJack box.
-M.
Yeah, okay. So I have to say that this is getting into the good stuff. Well, at least the way that it looks on the screen is good. It's really cool to add the interactivity. There is so much great applicability to the accordion! If I could master it, I'd use it all over the place, even for my navigation! I think my biggest challenge with this is that I'm still having problems with the old stuff, and so this new stuff is really hard for me to get from the ground up. I've decided the worst part about this is that I couldn't even tell you what it is exactly I don't understand.
I understand principles. I understand definitions (mostly.) When I see it, I can pretty much follow what's going on. Still, for the life of me, I can not figure out how to program it from the ground up. Give me a screen with nothing and say, 'here, do this' and I'm boggled. Give me something that's already made, like the accordion and the tooltips, and I can pick them apart enough to make them work to a degree. On the tooltip assignment, there was something in the pre-built code from the examples that was making it hard for me to assign it to one of my links I'd already created. I couldn't get it to work with the existing code, but if I made a new page with no other divs, viola!
Events are good, events are great, but I get stuck right out the gate. Again, I understand how they plug into DOM, but I don't know where to stick it from scratch.
Oy vey. I don't know what the deal is. I've watched the videos over and over. I read the chapters more than once. For some reason though, something very important just isn't falling into place. It's not 'clicking'. The closer we get to finals time, the more worried I am about it, even though I'm scraping by with the skin of my teeth. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a magic JavaScript decoder ring in the bottom of a CrackerJack box.
-M.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Dang DOM's!
The Document Object Model is important in web development because it offers a standardization in how the objects (elements, links, etc) can be easily manipulated. It also makes it so that other applications, scripts, and even other DOM's can reuse the information. With the implementation of the DOM, the browsers have had to work with the W3C to help keep that standardization in effect. By following the recommendations of the W3C, you're maintaining the integrity of the standardization that makes it so that any DOM implementation can be plugged together with any other DOM based application.
I personally think the DOM is pretty nice because of the fact that it keeps everyone on the same playing field among browsers. The most frustrating thing about coding, and probably more so with JavaScript, is when you can get something to work in one browser but not in another. I still feel a little overwhelmed, but at this point, I think it's a good thing.
I personally think the DOM is pretty nice because of the fact that it keeps everyone on the same playing field among browsers. The most frustrating thing about coding, and probably more so with JavaScript, is when you can get something to work in one browser but not in another. I still feel a little overwhelmed, but at this point, I think it's a good thing.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Unit 5 - Java Script and Kittens
So, you know, I've tried really really hard to wrap my head around this so far. However, at this point, I'm pretty frustrated. It kind of makes me feel like I'm going to have kittens. Anyone else know what I mean?
I understand the practical applications for Java Script. In fact, I used to use it a lot for roll over buttons and the like in the past. Last semester, using the Java Script rolling calender on Twin Life and putting in my dates was a piece of cake. Other than that, I haven't touched it in a few years, and even when I tinkered before, I really didn't understand what each of the components to a script actually were, much less the terminology.
Now, I know why they call it a 'programming language'. I may as well be trying to ask where the bathroom is in Portuguese. As far as my development with it, I feel kind of like I'm saying 'hi' over and over when I want to be reading the Declaration of Independence. I felt like this unit had a ton of information and new terms that I really don't feel like I'm completely comfortable with. I just hope as the semester goes on that I get more comfortable with it and my Java Script "vocabulary" expands I can not only understand someone telling me where the bathroom is, but I can make a script to tell someone else where to find one!
Java and Java Script are often confused with one another, even by myself sometimes. The obvious reason for that is their similarities in name, and the fact that they're both a programming language. However, Java is an object based language, and Java Script is used in client side scripting and is not as fast as a compiled language like Java. A scripting language, is just a programming language used to develop scripts.
Java Script was almost wiped out but revived with the help of AJAX. When Java Script was first introduced it was very difficult to standardize it. It was nearly impossible to get your script to work in various browsers. Of course, this made people nuts. Lately, the standardization of web browsers has helped it gain in popularity again, considering it's one of the easiest languages to use and learn, and has to be downloaded and read by the browser. In spite of this, it's my personal opinion that we might be getting away from Java Script. There are more PHP sites and sites that use other languages, even Java itself that are much more powerful.
I understand the practical applications for Java Script. In fact, I used to use it a lot for roll over buttons and the like in the past. Last semester, using the Java Script rolling calender on Twin Life and putting in my dates was a piece of cake. Other than that, I haven't touched it in a few years, and even when I tinkered before, I really didn't understand what each of the components to a script actually were, much less the terminology.
Now, I know why they call it a 'programming language'. I may as well be trying to ask where the bathroom is in Portuguese. As far as my development with it, I feel kind of like I'm saying 'hi' over and over when I want to be reading the Declaration of Independence. I felt like this unit had a ton of information and new terms that I really don't feel like I'm completely comfortable with. I just hope as the semester goes on that I get more comfortable with it and my Java Script "vocabulary" expands I can not only understand someone telling me where the bathroom is, but I can make a script to tell someone else where to find one!
Java and Java Script are often confused with one another, even by myself sometimes. The obvious reason for that is their similarities in name, and the fact that they're both a programming language. However, Java is an object based language, and Java Script is used in client side scripting and is not as fast as a compiled language like Java. A scripting language, is just a programming language used to develop scripts.
Java Script was almost wiped out but revived with the help of AJAX. When Java Script was first introduced it was very difficult to standardize it. It was nearly impossible to get your script to work in various browsers. Of course, this made people nuts. Lately, the standardization of web browsers has helped it gain in popularity again, considering it's one of the easiest languages to use and learn, and has to be downloaded and read by the browser. In spite of this, it's my personal opinion that we might be getting away from Java Script. There are more PHP sites and sites that use other languages, even Java itself that are much more powerful.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Web Development Perceptions
Web development is a pretty broad field. There are several dynamics that are involved. You have the Designer who creates the layout, look, and feel of a site. If that Designer is very competent, they may also be able to do a bit of programming as well. Web Programmers, responsible for the structure and functionality of the technology are vastly important. So, Web Developers specifically, are the ones who make the web, the sites, and everything in between function.
Even as a Designer, having the skills to create more than just images is important. If you can create databases, carts, applets, forms, and use different technologies like ASP and PHP, you're going to be vastly more marketable, and have the ability to make your designs do everything you want, as well as everything that your client might need.
As we know, the Web is becoming more and more of an integral part of people's lives. The people behind the Web, the people responsible for creating the content, the look, the feel, and everything that people see and touch are going to control how people respond to what they come across, as well as how much the Web can impact society. The amount of interactivity, how information is presented, how easy to access information is, and how accurate it is will all be shaped by the forward thinking of the future's Web Developers.
Even as a Designer, having the skills to create more than just images is important. If you can create databases, carts, applets, forms, and use different technologies like ASP and PHP, you're going to be vastly more marketable, and have the ability to make your designs do everything you want, as well as everything that your client might need.
As we know, the Web is becoming more and more of an integral part of people's lives. The people behind the Web, the people responsible for creating the content, the look, the feel, and everything that people see and touch are going to control how people respond to what they come across, as well as how much the Web can impact society. The amount of interactivity, how information is presented, how easy to access information is, and how accurate it is will all be shaped by the forward thinking of the future's Web Developers.
Welcome to my DHTML blog!
Hello.
My name is Mercedes Opheim, and by now, most of you know me.
For those of you that don't here's a little info. I'm 28 and working on finishing my degree in Computer Graphic Design. I've got one more semester after this to graduate. After that, I hope to come back to complete the Web Development program as well.
You can't see this, but my fingers are crossed.
I am already part of a computer graphic design firm that was established by my mother years ago. She died in 2006, and I had no choice but to catch the torch. I've grown up with computers all around me, and I have an extreme passion for computer graphics and digital art. Why not make some money at it? I worked with my mother and sub-contracted for her firm for almost five years. However, that was a long time ago, and a lot has changed in the digital world since then. In fact, I feel like I'm learning everything all over again. It's awesome.
I tend to be pretty outgoing for the most part, and I've discovered how much I love school. I love the people, I love the feeling of moving forward, and I love being productive. I've been able to tap into so much more creative power than I ever knew I had! I look forward to continuing that with all of you.
I'm also kind of smart mouthed. I can talk like a squirrel. Sometimes, people call me 'Bubbles' because I'm made of sugar and Chemical X. For you Power Puff Girl buffs out there, I assure you it has nothing to do with the blond hair and blue eyes. Nothing. Being a super-hero and full time student isn't easy. Still, I like to help where I can, so if you need anything just scream like a damsel in distress, or send me an e-mail. =)
My name is Mercedes Opheim, and by now, most of you know me.
For those of you that don't here's a little info. I'm 28 and working on finishing my degree in Computer Graphic Design. I've got one more semester after this to graduate. After that, I hope to come back to complete the Web Development program as well.
You can't see this, but my fingers are crossed.
I am already part of a computer graphic design firm that was established by my mother years ago. She died in 2006, and I had no choice but to catch the torch. I've grown up with computers all around me, and I have an extreme passion for computer graphics and digital art. Why not make some money at it? I worked with my mother and sub-contracted for her firm for almost five years. However, that was a long time ago, and a lot has changed in the digital world since then. In fact, I feel like I'm learning everything all over again. It's awesome.
I tend to be pretty outgoing for the most part, and I've discovered how much I love school. I love the people, I love the feeling of moving forward, and I love being productive. I've been able to tap into so much more creative power than I ever knew I had! I look forward to continuing that with all of you.
I'm also kind of smart mouthed. I can talk like a squirrel. Sometimes, people call me 'Bubbles' because I'm made of sugar and Chemical X. For you Power Puff Girl buffs out there, I assure you it has nothing to do with the blond hair and blue eyes. Nothing. Being a super-hero and full time student isn't easy. Still, I like to help where I can, so if you need anything just scream like a damsel in distress, or send me an e-mail. =)
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