Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Basic HTML and Web design
For the next two weeks, I will be giving the tools needed to develop basic HTML and Web design skills. This is the foundation. I do believe that after you have the basics down, you can add a new skill or trick every now and then and eventually become a skilled Web designer and editor.
Thursday, we will meet in the studio classroom in the department of Technology Services. You should plan for at least three class periods there before we move back to our Stewart Hall location.
Please note: If you are not completing a Web project -or- you have no desire to learn Web design, you can use those three class periods for final project work sessions. Please send me a blog entry for each class period you spend working on your project and what you accomplished. This way, I will still consider that time class participation. Pleas don't show up to surf or play computer games. Seating is limited and this requires a dedication to a faster pace. Everyone could use the extra time that this will allow you, but you must be accountable for the time and effort toward your project.
Step One: Understanding Basic HTML
HTML stands for Hyper Text Mark-up Language. It's a computer language and it uses text and a few symbols to speak across the Internet. This language is *translated* by a browser which renders the HTML to you in the form of words, images, sounds and video.
Most of the time, Web pages are designed with HTML editors. These programs show you WYSIWYG pages on your screen as it writes the corresponding HTML for you. It is possible to design Web pages without basic HTML knowledge, but we will cover the basics so you will understand how HTML works and be able to make minor changes to Web pages without opening an HMTL edtior such as Frontpage or Dreamweaver.
WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get
In our next class period, we will go through all steps in this Basic HTML Tutuorial. Click HERE to get the full tutorial.
My pace is about to pick up because this is instructional. If you want to follow me on Thursday, you need to read at least the first 12 steps listed in the tuturial. I would prefer that you read them all and try some of the coding out on your own so we can quickly go to those items you are having questions with. If you are going through and don't understand something, call me, email me or IM me at "mrzspencer" on AOL Instant Messenger.
Step Two: Designing using an HTML editor, Dreamweaver
Next week we will show the steps to using Dreamweaver to build Web pages. This will require some practice, reading and work on your own, but I will go over all the basics in class.
Thursday, we will meet in the studio classroom in the department of Technology Services. You should plan for at least three class periods there before we move back to our Stewart Hall location.
Please note: If you are not completing a Web project -or- you have no desire to learn Web design, you can use those three class periods for final project work sessions. Please send me a blog entry for each class period you spend working on your project and what you accomplished. This way, I will still consider that time class participation. Pleas don't show up to surf or play computer games. Seating is limited and this requires a dedication to a faster pace. Everyone could use the extra time that this will allow you, but you must be accountable for the time and effort toward your project.
Step One: Understanding Basic HTML
HTML stands for Hyper Text Mark-up Language. It's a computer language and it uses text and a few symbols to speak across the Internet. This language is *translated* by a browser which renders the HTML to you in the form of words, images, sounds and video.
Most of the time, Web pages are designed with HTML editors. These programs show you WYSIWYG pages on your screen as it writes the corresponding HTML for you. It is possible to design Web pages without basic HTML knowledge, but we will cover the basics so you will understand how HTML works and be able to make minor changes to Web pages without opening an HMTL edtior such as Frontpage or Dreamweaver.
WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get
In our next class period, we will go through all steps in this Basic HTML Tutuorial. Click HERE to get the full tutorial.
My pace is about to pick up because this is instructional. If you want to follow me on Thursday, you need to read at least the first 12 steps listed in the tuturial. I would prefer that you read them all and try some of the coding out on your own so we can quickly go to those items you are having questions with. If you are going through and don't understand something, call me, email me or IM me at "mrzspencer" on AOL Instant Messenger.
Step Two: Designing using an HTML editor, Dreamweaver
Next week we will show the steps to using Dreamweaver to build Web pages. This will require some practice, reading and work on your own, but I will go over all the basics in class.
If you haven't completed these items ...
Web sites posts -- I need an individual post from each of you with links to your favorite Web sites or those you go to on a regular basis. Look below for examples from the students who have completed these posts. Please don't merely "comment" to an existing post. I want a entry from every student.
Mid-term assignments -- If you have not turned in a mid-term assignment and have plans to pass this course, please see me. An F at mid-term doesn't mean you will get a C if you complete the final project. You could do better or you could fail altogether. The final project will stand on it's own and I will factor in class participation. If you are at least slightly unsure if you will pass, I suggest you speak to me as soon as possible.
Class participation -- There's a lot of flexibility in this class. Your participation in class discussion or in blog posting can only help your overall grade in the class. If your projects are strong enough to stand alone, class participation might not be needed. Attendance is nice, but if you show up and play solitaire for 50 minutes this will probably not help a "grade on the edge." My definition of participation is adding something to discussion -- verbally or written.
If you are unsure about where you stand in any of these areas, please contact me.
Mid-term assignments -- If you have not turned in a mid-term assignment and have plans to pass this course, please see me. An F at mid-term doesn't mean you will get a C if you complete the final project. You could do better or you could fail altogether. The final project will stand on it's own and I will factor in class participation. If you are at least slightly unsure if you will pass, I suggest you speak to me as soon as possible.
Class participation -- There's a lot of flexibility in this class. Your participation in class discussion or in blog posting can only help your overall grade in the class. If your projects are strong enough to stand alone, class participation might not be needed. Attendance is nice, but if you show up and play solitaire for 50 minutes this will probably not help a "grade on the edge." My definition of participation is adding something to discussion -- verbally or written.
If you are unsure about where you stand in any of these areas, please contact me.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Email-delivered Communications
Note: There will be no lecture today, but please see the following blog post and post a comment that you have received it. I have emailed all of you and if you haven't checked your email, please do so.
Newsletters, fliers and brochures have been used for ages as a way to get out shorter messages than newspapers or magazines. With the dawn of Web communications, we began to see the short-comings of those tried and true vehicles -- printing cost, limited distribution, production time.
Delivering the same messages directly to the inbox of your audience is not only inexpensive (if not free), but it also brings new meaning to the phase "reaching your target audience."
You have all received three email newsletter messages. The first, HGTV, is very much like a traditional newsletter. It even closely resembles one. This brings news, marketing and resources to HGTV's set subscriber list. They don't charge the subscriber, but they market their own goods/services while also netting advertising dollars.
Email news letters are simply "tiny" Web pages sent by email. Each newsletter sits on a server somewhere and is HTML-based. When I design newsletters, I create a Web page, post it to the Internet and then let Internet Explorer (the browser) make an email copy of the page.
Here is the Web page version of the last email newsletter you received:
http://members.cox.net/acornpublicist/sb_rfk/index.html
We were able to send this to all the newspapers in the state and some regional dailies quickly and without printing anything. Later, this same advisory was sent to urban and African American culture magazines and it replaced the traditional press release.
Please post a reply when you finish reading this discussion along with any questions you may have.
Newsletters, fliers and brochures have been used for ages as a way to get out shorter messages than newspapers or magazines. With the dawn of Web communications, we began to see the short-comings of those tried and true vehicles -- printing cost, limited distribution, production time.
Delivering the same messages directly to the inbox of your audience is not only inexpensive (if not free), but it also brings new meaning to the phase "reaching your target audience."
You have all received three email newsletter messages. The first, HGTV, is very much like a traditional newsletter. It even closely resembles one. This brings news, marketing and resources to HGTV's set subscriber list. They don't charge the subscriber, but they market their own goods/services while also netting advertising dollars.
Email news letters are simply "tiny" Web pages sent by email. Each newsletter sits on a server somewhere and is HTML-based. When I design newsletters, I create a Web page, post it to the Internet and then let Internet Explorer (the browser) make an email copy of the page.
Here is the Web page version of the last email newsletter you received:
http://members.cox.net/acornpublicist/sb_rfk/index.html
We were able to send this to all the newspapers in the state and some regional dailies quickly and without printing anything. Later, this same advisory was sent to urban and African American culture magazines and it replaced the traditional press release.
Please post a reply when you finish reading this discussion along with any questions you may have.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Web Communication: Let's Kick It Up a Notch
The Web is by far one of the most exciting changes to the communications industry. Think about it, publishing something that will not only reach your community, but the whole wide world!
Yes, I love the Web and I need to cut back on my caffeine.
For the next couple of weeks, we are going to dissect good Web communications. We will look at email alerts, email newsletters, Web pages and Web sites. If you want to get your feet wet in design and development, we will also have a few sessions on basic html and Web design.
Let's look at some sites that I've worked on or developed.
Email newsletters: I will be sending each of you email newsletters that I subcribe to and those that I have created. Please check your inbox later today or before class Thursday.
Web sites, information rich: 2theadvocate.com
I worked as the managing editor of this site from its start until 2004. The best to be said about it is that it's a BUNCH of information. Organization and flow are important when dealing with sites with information overload and are constantly changing.
Web sites, gadgets and moving: The Web home of Heath Watson
I just lauched this client's site last week. Not a lot of information, but some bells and whistles that you would not find on larger sites with a lot of information. I want to show how the "wow" factor can be cheap if you take advantage of free Web space. Notice the domain www.heathwatson.org only shows briefly before "redirecting" to freebie Web space through a Cox Cable account.
Web pages, short and sweet: These are not for clients, but organizational PR pieces. Note that a Web page is a single page and sites have more than one page and need "navigation" on each page to get from one page to another.
http://members.cox.net/franspencer/ohla/index.html
http://members.cox.net/franspencer/noowalk/index.html
I'm using my own material because it's easier explain how something was put together. I'm pretty thick-skinned so you don't have to be afraid to say you don't like something or the colors suck; it's a part of learning.
What are your Web homes: Where do you hang out on the Internet?
I would like each of you to create a post and list the Web sites you frequent regularly. Please list the URLs (Web addresses) and give me some feedback on why you like the sites and go back regularly. This doesn't have to be news or resource sites.
This is a Hip Hop culture site and technically and content-wise, it's awesome. The girls could wear a little more clothes for my tastes, but I give it high marks for development. This would be entertainment-based Web communication:
http://www.thesource.com/
Thursday we will look at your site preferences and outline a new course direction to include more Web development. Next week, we will not be meeting in Stewart Hall. We will look at Web technology in the Technology Services department. You will be given plenty of time to adjust to this new location.
Yes, I love the Web and I need to cut back on my caffeine.
For the next couple of weeks, we are going to dissect good Web communications. We will look at email alerts, email newsletters, Web pages and Web sites. If you want to get your feet wet in design and development, we will also have a few sessions on basic html and Web design.
Let's look at some sites that I've worked on or developed.
Email newsletters: I will be sending each of you email newsletters that I subcribe to and those that I have created. Please check your inbox later today or before class Thursday.
Web sites, information rich: 2theadvocate.com
I worked as the managing editor of this site from its start until 2004. The best to be said about it is that it's a BUNCH of information. Organization and flow are important when dealing with sites with information overload and are constantly changing.
Web sites, gadgets and moving: The Web home of Heath Watson
I just lauched this client's site last week. Not a lot of information, but some bells and whistles that you would not find on larger sites with a lot of information. I want to show how the "wow" factor can be cheap if you take advantage of free Web space. Notice the domain www.heathwatson.org only shows briefly before "redirecting" to freebie Web space through a Cox Cable account.
Web pages, short and sweet: These are not for clients, but organizational PR pieces. Note that a Web page is a single page and sites have more than one page and need "navigation" on each page to get from one page to another.
http://members.cox.net/franspencer/ohla/index.html
http://members.cox.net/franspencer/noowalk/index.html
I'm using my own material because it's easier explain how something was put together. I'm pretty thick-skinned so you don't have to be afraid to say you don't like something or the colors suck; it's a part of learning.
What are your Web homes: Where do you hang out on the Internet?
I would like each of you to create a post and list the Web sites you frequent regularly. Please list the URLs (Web addresses) and give me some feedback on why you like the sites and go back regularly. This doesn't have to be news or resource sites.
This is a Hip Hop culture site and technically and content-wise, it's awesome. The girls could wear a little more clothes for my tastes, but I give it high marks for development. This would be entertainment-based Web communication:
http://www.thesource.com/
Thursday we will look at your site preferences and outline a new course direction to include more Web development. Next week, we will not be meeting in Stewart Hall. We will look at Web technology in the Technology Services department. You will be given plenty of time to adjust to this new location.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Week of Mid-Terms
Please refer to the blog discussion on the specifics of the mid-term assignment and to the syllabus on the expectations during the testing period. There was no class today, Tuesday, March 7, but I will show up Thursday to pick up any mid-term project summaries finished at this point.
The syllabus does state: "The mid-term assignment will be due no later than the last day of the mid-term testing period." If your project summary is complete, you can put it in my faculty box in the Department of Mass Communications. Boxes are next to Mrs. Johnson's desk in the main reception area. Projects finished before Thursday and Friday can be placed in the box.
I am not lecturing or continuing with the course outline until each of you have been given ample time to devote to your project summary.
If you are having trouble, I recommend that you call or email me NOW. There is still time to do a good job on the summaries, but if you are lost now, please throw up a red flag and get some help.
Thanks to Kelly Lewis who called last night to clarify the class schedule, plans and to discuss her project. There was no class Tuesday and Thursday will only exist to turn in summaries or to get last-minute help if you plan to turn it in on Friday.
Email: Frances Y. Spencer
The syllabus does state: "The mid-term assignment will be due no later than the last day of the mid-term testing period." If your project summary is complete, you can put it in my faculty box in the Department of Mass Communications. Boxes are next to Mrs. Johnson's desk in the main reception area. Projects finished before Thursday and Friday can be placed in the box.
I am not lecturing or continuing with the course outline until each of you have been given ample time to devote to your project summary.
If you are having trouble, I recommend that you call or email me NOW. There is still time to do a good job on the summaries, but if you are lost now, please throw up a red flag and get some help.
Thanks to Kelly Lewis who called last night to clarify the class schedule, plans and to discuss her project. There was no class Tuesday and Thursday will only exist to turn in summaries or to get last-minute help if you plan to turn it in on Friday.
Email: Frances Y. Spencer
