Hand Coding
September 18, 2006
No matter how much you know about different development software it is helpful to be able to hand code. If something goes wrong with the program you are using, then you have alternative means to finish your project. Especially important to be able to do if you have a deadline.
I hand code everything. First of all, I enjoy it. Second of all, I get to see every detail, and I know when things are going to work and when they are not. Programs can be finicky, sometimes adding in extra code, or stripping out things you wanted to leave in. Seriously, I have Macromedia, yet I found it easier to learn to hand code, than I did to learn that program.
Now that I have learned to do everything from the ground up, I am able to get around on Macromedia just fine, as I have a better understanding of how things work. Yet I still prefer to do it all by hand. Did you know you can build an entire website in Notepad? Simple and clean. As of late I have discovered Notepad2 which is very much like notepad, only it has quite a few more convenient options.
Also I most often use HTML Kit, which has lots of handy resources for more than just html. I love it so much, I can’t imagine not using it. New things are always coming along, each claiming to be better than the last so they say. Yet I like to keep my brain sharp, so coding by hand helps me to do that. Besides, what fun would it be, if we were not still learning?
Visual Tools
September 2, 2006
What are some tools creative people require for their website? You may be showing art, photography, crafts or something similar. Visual content must be shown in the best light possible. Quality is key.
Good photographs of your work, are of utmost importance. A digital camera is one of the best investments you can make if you are a visual artist. When looking for a digital camera I would say anything 3.2 mega pixels and up, is a good choice. Prices are coming down, so you can get a decent digital for $300.00 or less.
Some features you will want your camera to have include white balance and the ability to take pictures without a flash. I have never successfully photographed a painting with a flash enabled. It creates a glare which renders the picture useless. In order to do this you will also need a tripod to steady the camera, especially when using slow shutter speeds. For closeups of your work, you will want to have a macro setting on the camera.
A good photo editing program is essential. Learning to use a photo editing program can be trial and error. Many use photoshop, yet it is expensive. If you are looking for open source photo editing I highly recommend Gimpshop. It has a similar interface to Photoshop. The good news is it is free! They now have a Windows version that is precompiled, so that you can install and use. Be sure you get the right download for your operating system.
For help with photo editing check the web for many good tutorials. Here is one for Gimpshop, and one for Photoshop to get you started.
