I taught myself HTML back in the mid-nineties and was proud of the fact that I was able to accomplish the design of fairly complex web pages with nothing more than a starter HTML book, an HTML reference book, and the knowledge I had stored in my head. But back in those days, we web designers had what looking back was a fairly limited amount of tools with which to work, and the quality (or lack thereof) of sites on the web was lackluster at best.
Fast-forward to today: The hand-coder has more powerful and intuitive software packages available that will still allow us "to get our hands dirty", which brings us to the purpose of this article. With the standardization of the much anticipated Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) in the late-nineties, the web design community has become familiar with a much more powerful and precise method of web page layout.
"But how is an old-time web coder supposed to learn CSS the easy way?!" Well, I say you should learn it the way I, and countless others, have:
1. Download the Firefox browser
2. Install the Web Developer extension
3. Open one of your "old" HTML files
4. View the source, click the "Cleanup the page" button
5. Check the "replace FONT.....tags by CSS" box, then Refresh
Now you have a very neat and tidy piece of code, with all the CSS dirty work done for you! At this point you can copy & paste the resulting code and use it in your project and start figuring out what it's doing. I was amazed at how easily I was able to pick it up and start making changes on my own. When I wanted more information on a certain style it was a just a Google search away to many excellent CSS resources on the web. I find it much easier to learn CSS if I get to apply the modifications to the existing code that I've been working on, and I think you will too.
I hope you find this article helpful and if you follow these steps you should be able to add CSS to your web site design toolbox in no time!
Written by Erich Bihlman, of Bihlman Consulting - PC and Internet Tutoring and Website Design in Prescott, Arizona. http://www.bihlman.com For additional helpful articles visit http://www.bihlman.com
[You may reprint this article provided it is not changed in any way, and my author information stays intact including the links.]
no-contract cleaning service Glenview ..Don't make a splash!Are you thinking about using a splash... Read More
On the internet we don't deal with face to face... Read More
Wether you design your business brochures, flyers, web page, or... Read More
A question we frequently get asked is, "how do we... Read More
~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets... Read More
If you are designing a web site for which the... Read More
There are several graphic software packages available to help you... Read More
One of the most frequent questions I get asked about... Read More
The top ten fonts for website design might change in... Read More
One of the biggest problems with Web sites is that... Read More
They may look cutting edge, but if you want a... Read More
Web sites that feature products ? especially furniture or other... Read More
Remember the day that you got your new computer (or... Read More
Graphics are fun, but if you put in too many... Read More
The ability to create simple, attractive and functional web pages... Read More
In this article we will be looking at why you... Read More
"It's good.""You've done a nice job.""I don't like it."At some... Read More
Due to the large number of people offering website design... Read More
If you are anything like me, your website is a... Read More
Drop Capitals are frequently used in many newspapers, books and... Read More
Geometric designs come in all shapes and sizes? and lines.... Read More
Setting up a survey on your site is extremely simple... Read More
The Basics You have a flourishing business ? everything is... Read More
(1) Create a Direct Response Website, with the minimum number... Read More
Are you using the best colors for your web site?... Read More
house cleaning company Glencoe ..When you develop a sales brochure, you have a mental... Read More
What pages need to be included on your website? The... Read More
Read the title of this article over a couple of... Read More
Seeing is believing.One trick to increase your visibility as well... Read More
A Double Ad Tracker is an Ad-Tracker that points to... Read More
Your website is your tool for showing the online community... Read More
If you have a business, big or small you may... Read More
As the Internet blooms at an alarming rate, so as... Read More
Your business website tells a lot about your company. A... Read More
Audio can provide an added dimension to your site. It... Read More
You're all ready to get started creating your web presence... Read More
This article gives free tips on how to find a... Read More
Never put form over function. Why? Because it's crucial that... Read More
In today's age of fast food and high-speed Internet, a... Read More
So you need a website. You are not sure if... Read More
If you were like me and you have just started... Read More
You have probably viewed many Flash-based components while surfing the... Read More
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) allows you to create fast loading... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
So you want to build a website here I will... Read More
Remember the day that you got your new computer (or... Read More
Imagine spinning someone around so profoundly and for so long... Read More
Effective navigation stands out. It's clear, obvious, and highly visible.You'll... Read More
Since I made the switch 6 months ago to a... Read More
I want to give you a free web page template... Read More
Web Design |