|
|
By
now you've discovered that building websites is
like eating cake: Once you start, you can't
stop. (Still have yet to build your first site?
We suggest you begin at the beginning.) If
you're itching to make that site better,
stronger, and faster, then here are some ways to
scratch that itch.
Build Your
Skills
One of the best and easiest ways to fancy up
a static site is with JavaScript. Luckily
for you, We are home to the Web's best
learning tool, That's JavaScript Tutorial,
so you should be an expert in a lickety
split-second. Another way you can improve
matters is by inter-activating your site
with some good forms. Or dedicate some tweak
time to optimizing your site so it attracts
more search traffic. And for the sake of
appearances, you should also put on a happy
interface.
Look, Feel
For more control over how users experience
your site, try some stylesheet-ing action.
Creating your own version of our
expanding/collapsing dHTML toolbar is
another way to liven things up. And while
you're updating the site interface, why not
dish everything up on templates using
eXtended Server-side Includes (XSSI)? Build
those pages right, and your next redesign
will be a snap, crackle, and pop —
especially if there's some well-formed XML
behind the scenes.
Move, Shake
Nothing titillates the eyes of your users
like a few tasteful animations, and Flash is
one of the most popular ways to create them.
You can also use your new-found JavaScript
know-how to create the ubiquitous rollover.
Greasing the Wheels
As you ramp up that learning curve, our
"Quick Reference" section — with its color
codes, browser chart, special characters,
and more special treats — is a mighty fine
thing to keep handy. And make sure you stay
au courant with the latest Web developments
by getting your daily dose of Webmonkey.
It's All in the Script
You know that warm, funny feeling you got as
you dabbled in JavaScript, XSSI, and basic
form functionality? That's called
"programming" — for more of the same, learn
the fundamentals, then sample the
server-side scripting languages. Which one
whets your whistle most? ASP? JSP? PHP?
ColdFusion? Pick one, and dig in — go deep
enough, and you may just find your way to
becoming a Master web designer.
|
