So, for Chapter 3's hands on exercise, I ran my format1.css through the W3C style sheet validator, located here:
http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/
And amazingly, it validated the first time around.
I wasn't sure about my second style sheet, format2.css, so I ran it through as well.
It also showed no errors.
This was surprising to me.
I've had quite a bit of trouble getting my XHTML pages to validate, so I purposely broke the style sheets and tried validating them again. This time they showed errors. I fixed them and validated again, no errors.
So, you know, at least I can occasionally get one or two things right the first time.
I would like to say that the validator is VERY easy to use. Both copying text and uploading files to validate was very simple. Maybe it's because I had to purposefully break the page to get errors, but I found the way it pointed out my errors to be very clear.
I would definitely recommend the validator for other students, whether they're first time takers of the class, or returning web developer veterans.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Riddle Me This...
What do my pregnant wife and XHTML have in common?
Go ahead, think about it. I'll wait.
Give up?
The answer is: Nesting Phases, and the fact that no matter how much of my code I inject in either one, I never seem to get easy validation from either.
One thing I've noticed while writing my code is that it tends to be a bit like my computer room. I know where everything is, but to the untrained eye (and indeed the validator), I have things scattered about and improperly placed. Nevermind the fact that *I* can find everything I am looking for when I need it. I've tried to explain to my wife how secure everything in my computer room probably is, because if anyone broke in, they'd NEVER be able to find anything of real value. But like arguing with the XHTML validator, I always lose.
I admit it's hard not to revert back to childhood when the XHTML validtor and my wife tell me to pick up my toys and clean my room. Both my wife, and the XTHML validation tool are, well, smarter and more disciplined than I am. So I press on, knowing full well that while not every rule either of them throws at me right now is making much sense, it's probably for the better.
On the brightside, at least I don't have to support XHTML for the next 18 years. =)
Go ahead, think about it. I'll wait.
Give up?
The answer is: Nesting Phases, and the fact that no matter how much of my code I inject in either one, I never seem to get easy validation from either.
One thing I've noticed while writing my code is that it tends to be a bit like my computer room. I know where everything is, but to the untrained eye (and indeed the validator), I have things scattered about and improperly placed. Nevermind the fact that *I* can find everything I am looking for when I need it. I've tried to explain to my wife how secure everything in my computer room probably is, because if anyone broke in, they'd NEVER be able to find anything of real value. But like arguing with the XHTML validator, I always lose.
I admit it's hard not to revert back to childhood when the XHTML validtor and my wife tell me to pick up my toys and clean my room. Both my wife, and the XTHML validation tool are, well, smarter and more disciplined than I am. So I press on, knowing full well that while not every rule either of them throws at me right now is making much sense, it's probably for the better.
On the brightside, at least I don't have to support XHTML for the next 18 years. =)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Old and New again.
If you haven't checked out the first post to this blog (below), then I highly recommend it.
Why?
Because it really shows the power of today's average internet site.
After finishing the first few chapters of my XHTML textbook, combined with looking back at a few old sites (yes, including Playboy.com's original site), I understand both the power and complexity that today's average internet site contains.
Take, for instance, this basic looking blog. If you open the source code (go ahead, I'll wait)...you'll see the very complex building blocks used in it's design. Why this probably doesn't amaze anyone but the average geek (yours truly) I can't help but wonder what's next. I mean, in 10 years, look at how the world wide web has changed. Today's internet is a VAST improvement over yesterdays.
And I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Or how I will contribute to it.
Why?
Because it really shows the power of today's average internet site.
After finishing the first few chapters of my XHTML textbook, combined with looking back at a few old sites (yes, including Playboy.com's original site), I understand both the power and complexity that today's average internet site contains.
Take, for instance, this basic looking blog. If you open the source code (go ahead, I'll wait)...you'll see the very complex building blocks used in it's design. Why this probably doesn't amaze anyone but the average geek (yours truly) I can't help but wonder what's next. I mean, in 10 years, look at how the world wide web has changed. Today's internet is a VAST improvement over yesterdays.
And I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Or how I will contribute to it.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Nostalgia is another word for "You're getting old."
How long have you been online?
Do you remember the glory days of AOL, and how excited you got when you heard the words: "You've got mail!" coming out of your computer speakers?
The 90's were my Generation's 1960's. You either lived it, or you wish you had.
For those of you who didn't get the experience first hand, there's a website called "The Wayback machine" which snapshots the code of websites and archives them. You can now go back and visit sites like Google, Walmart, Coke, Pepsi, or even Playboy's first attempts at reaching out to the masses online.
Remember, though, that these were the days before Flash, Javascript, Banner Ads, Forums and other things you might take for granted online today were even thought of, let alone coded by some poor geek in his basement.
Just type a URL into The Internet Wayback Machine and off you go!
For a more authentic experience, add 30 - 60 minutes into the load time of any website you choose.
Enjoy!
Do you remember the glory days of AOL, and how excited you got when you heard the words: "You've got mail!" coming out of your computer speakers?
The 90's were my Generation's 1960's. You either lived it, or you wish you had.
For those of you who didn't get the experience first hand, there's a website called "The Wayback machine" which snapshots the code of websites and archives them. You can now go back and visit sites like Google, Walmart, Coke, Pepsi, or even Playboy's first attempts at reaching out to the masses online.
Remember, though, that these were the days before Flash, Javascript, Banner Ads, Forums and other things you might take for granted online today were even thought of, let alone coded by some poor geek in his basement.
Just type a URL into The Internet Wayback Machine and off you go!
For a more authentic experience, add 30 - 60 minutes into the load time of any website you choose.
Enjoy!
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