design by no one
:: the complete web solution
:: design :: free hosting :: identity
:: personal professional web design
:: design :: free hosting :: identity
:: personal professional web design
HTML: Over 9 years
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) controls the structure, layout and design of a website.
SQL: Over 7 years
Structured Query Language (SQL) allows the creation, maintenance and manipulation of databases.
Photoshop: Over 5 years
Adobe Photoshop allows the creation and manipulation of cutting edge images for websites.
CSS 2.0: Over 5 years
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) separates the design of a website from the content.
XHTML 1.1: Over 4 years
eXtensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML) expands on HTML to allow websites
to be viewed anywhere access is available, be it on a computer screen, handheld PC or mobile phone.
PHP: Over 4 years
Pre Hypertext Processor (PHP) allows HTML to be dynamic,
rather than static and allows not only the website creator to update the content,
but gives you, the client, the ability to add new or edit existing content.
PHP is an extremely versatile language which provides a professional solution for an any problem.
MySQL: Over 4 years
MySQL expands on PHP's framework, and allows websites to be database driven
rather than flat-filled, speeding up access time and improving the sites' editability.
XML: Over 4 years
eXtensible Markup Language takes the next step, and separates content from layout and design.
Aims:
To increase my design skills and learn that which I haven't already.
I'll do my best not to use any WYSINWYG editor throughout this course, unless one of the projects ridiculously demands it.
I'm a natural coder, editing WYSIWYG is hell,
coding is perfect, easy to edit, your own style, and gets you exactly what you want!
To create a journal comprised of a series of text documents and website "workings"
ie. Test websites, previous websites, sketches for future websites and the like,
to be printed and pasted into the journal as per required.
Hey, I may as well do it this way, do save me having to turn a journal back into this as part of my work portfolio.
Result: Pass
I have been doing what this course required for years,
A pass in this course indicates that I satisfy all elements of design,
and fail none, meaning that my websites are functional and contextual.
Aims:
To learn photoshop which I haven't previously used.
One of our tasks in this course is to create ONE HUNDRED images on the same subject,
we get to choose from either a clock, a chilli or a key.
Result: Credit
I found PhotoShop surprisingly easy to use, most likely because I am adept at picking up new software, skills
and new information, I only had to refer to the text book in this course a couple of times,
and then it was mostly to look at the filters and see what they looked like when implemented
Ever since I saw a computer I wanted to know what could be done with it. The first computer I used was an IBM PC compatible (probably in 1991 when I was 6 years old). I instantly learnt the dos commands to open, view and run directories and files. All I remember doing on this computer is using Win 3.1, Paint and misc. dos games. The next computer I used was a laptop in grade 4 (10 years) for touch typing practise and a game we called 'castle'. I am still looking for this game somewhere. The next computer was in Grade 7 - I used it for my assignment research because I wasn't great with researching from books. Then the computer club at my primary school existed - in it we learnt new skills and games (how else to kids stay interested? :). The next year (grade 8) at high school we had 4 computers up in our library and about 40 more in the other computer labs. I was a prominent user in the library. I also got my own computer in this year a Pentium 200MMX, 32MB SDRAM and 3GB HDD. The next year (grade 9) I found out the college had internet access (56K shared - nice and slow). I didn't care about the speed. The fact that information and resources could be shared this easily amazed me. I have only been online for 4 and a half months at home now.
Also, in grade 9, we did a unit on Web pages. We used FrontPage Express although our teacher preferred us to use Internet Microworld to learn the coding behind it. I only used Front Page to find the coding for the tags. As I am a pure coder and like to know what's happening 'behind the scenes'. We only had to make 2-4 pages demonstrating what we had learnt - I made 6-10 pages - using notepad! Frontpage express is very inefficient in it's coding that's why I didn't and still don't use it. My pages are almost perfectly efficient using the least (but enough) coding possible. New skills and new standards are released a lot. For these I look to w3 standards. The cool new scroll bars which are available add extra flair to site design. I am currently adding these to my website (which is based on the original in Grade 9). I would also like to add a small online shop to my website which would be like a garage sale. I believe that every business and person should have their own website and anyone who doesn't is missing out on something in life. I would like to do a University course in Website Design and Coding and make this a reality for people and businesses. But I haven't really found a course yet specifically on this.
... My Dream is to make being online a reality for people. Probably by starting my own company.
From 1998 to present - I have built, maintained and refined my website. Unfortunately it's still stuck with it's original name "The Waste of Time Website" based on in a school book of my youngest, older brother - named James - he's currently an English/Drama Teacher in Albury (Walla Walla). My middle older brother Matthew has recently finished his PhD on Geomorphology and is employed by the University of Sydney (where he mostly studied) as a part time Lecturer. My oldest brother Paul is a Fitter and Turner working for Benmic Industries. My Dad is a 'service technician' working for Toowoomba Holden (Mark Crampton) and is at Holden Masters level. My Mum is simply a beloved housewife.
I would love to be earning enough money to live on (I don't eat much junk food), have a good teched out house, a good car (Subaru WRX/Holden AWD) and stay up to date with technology... Digital TV, latest CPU and nVidia graphics accelerator with latest Windows and Office.
Currently computers have become boring and I believe this is why the market is in a rut. There have been no new great releases since Quake 3 (except Serious Sam), Windows ME (which is still virtually the same as Windows 95 +IE4) and the GeForce3. People believe computers are 'Fast Enough' but they overlook the need for faster CPU's and Video Rendering (AutoCAD, Speech & Text Recognition). I believe that Windows XP will change all that (Office XP has already included partially speech recognition) - finally giving users a chance to do more and get the most out of their computer and the internet - Digital Cameras and Video, MP3 (Pro) and decent Broadband (I needn't say Telstra ADSL), Gaming, online Shopping, information, and access.
I would consider Windows easy to use. The only feature missing is a 'Create new folder' toolbar icon and shortcut key (Win+C or N would be good). Actually and it's about time, Windows XP has this on the task pane. However, I don't really understand why people who have grown up without computers can't grasp the most basic functions. My Dad refuses to learn or touch them - but he has to use Acrobat Reader at Holden for the latest tech information on the cars he works on. However, he recently wants to learn to type faster. My mum is deadly with a keyboard [from using a typewriter] but barely knows which button turns the computer on. If my mum put a little more effort and patience into using a computer she could master it. My Brother Paul recently assumed that popping a floppy in the drive and hitting 'save' on the toolbar would save it to the floppy. Update on my Dad there: He can use a computer better than my mum - it's just weird.
Now for a little humor...
You've probably heard this one but I'll give it a shot anyway.
What is the most commonly used letter in the world?
I bet you said 'e'.
It's 'w', www (World Wide Web!) although the humble . (dot) comes pretty close.
I value my privacy and security and therefore use cookie filters (DoubleClick is currently the worst) and a firewall (ZoneAlarm and when it refuses to work Tiny Personal Firewall) UPDATE: I now use Kerio Personal Firewall (4.0.7) which remains free for home users. I don't not use ad-blocking software though (except Opera's popup filter) because of an article I read and the fact that guru3D stuck a huge point by closing their site for a bit.
Currently I have these 'jobs': Webmaster I have a WebSite Programmer I write helpful (and almost useless) programs Tweaker My System is running at peak performance - without being overclocked Student I need to learn and get the job I WANT! Teacher People need to learn (especially about computers and the internet) Tech-Assist I help system administrators and other people with computers. Other Jobs wanted: Blogger Writing my own weblog Tech-Support Answering queries for PC User Magazine Administration Helping like run the university network or something Exp. Webmaster Making sites for other people, actually for money.