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#1 2007-08-16 9:34 pm
Learn CSS?
I keep coming across these awesome looking sites that i see were done is CSS and some photoshop.. Im pretty good with photoshop and know i can make what they make in photoshop just dont know the CSS part. I start to learn it and never really finish and try to do it and i never can figure it out. I have a hard time learning it and not being able to see it as i build it if you get what im saying. Like hey iam learning this right.
So what i was wondering one if there a good website that lays it down a lot better then i have been find out. Something that is mac orientated if possible, so i can understand what they are talking about. Also is there schools around that have a css class? Im located in arizona and going to Estrella Community Colleague and it seems they just end up canceling the class due to the lack of students before i ever get to go...
Thanks
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#2 2007-08-16 11:03 pm
Re: Learn CSS?
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#4 2007-08-18 6:27 am
Re: Learn CSS?
Also:
http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp
Is a great place to start - a lot of info, totally free!
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#5 2007-08-18 11:07 am
- Pithecanthropus
- Roast Master
- From: St. Cloud, MN
- Registered: 2002-12-30
- Posts: 4452
- Website
Re: Learn CSS?
I'd suggest spending $60 and getting Style Master. It is a WYSIWYG CSS editor. I use it all the time, it takes a lot of the guesswork out of the coding, and whereas it's not perfect (purists would say it bloats the code) it is one of the best things I've found to aid in CSS web site design.
Grandfatherly advice: You can drink 'em pretty, but you can't drink 'em smart.
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#6 2007-08-18 12:19 pm
Re: Learn CSS?
Pith-
I would have to slightly disagree - I would suggest CSSEdit:
http://macrabbit.com/cssedit/
It's only $30, and it's simply one of the best OSX apps ever written, let alone CSS editor. It's simply awesome.
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#7 2007-08-18 12:30 pm
Re: Learn CSS?
Doing this quickly is not easy. If all you want is one site then the smart thing to do is hire someone to do it for you.
If you do plan on rolling up the sleeves and doing it yourself then there is one fact worth pointing out: creating a good CSS site requires good markup and CSS. The markup comes first: using the correct doctype and creating lean XHTML. A lot of folks jump in and focus on learning the CSS and then get hung up on how the markup and CSS work together. Adding background graphics and creating Photoshop files makes things interesting.
There are a lot of great resources out there. Its worth good study. IMHO using XHTML and CSS is the best way of creating a website.
Max
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#8 2007-08-18 2:06 pm
- Pithecanthropus
- Roast Master
- From: St. Cloud, MN
- Registered: 2002-12-30
- Posts: 4452
- Website
Re: Learn CSS?
chipper wrote:
Pith-
I would have to slightly disagree - I would suggest CSSEdit:
http://macrabbit.com/cssedit/
It's only $30, and it's simply one of the best OSX apps ever written, let alone CSS editor. It's simply awesome.
I haven't tried CSSEdit, but I've heard good things.
Grandfatherly advice: You can drink 'em pretty, but you can't drink 'em smart.
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#9 2007-08-18 2:13 pm
- Pithecanthropus
- Roast Master
- From: St. Cloud, MN
- Registered: 2002-12-30
- Posts: 4452
- Website
Re: Learn CSS?
Don't forget the winning combination of Firefox and Web Developer! It's a great way to learn all sorts of tricks.
Last edited by Pithecanthropus (2007-08-18 2:14 pm)
Grandfatherly advice: You can drink 'em pretty, but you can't drink 'em smart.
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#10 2007-08-18 2:59 pm
- mahakali
- anti-razor
- From: easter egg
- Registered: 2002-11-06
- Posts: 5584
Re: Learn CSS?
CSSEdit is good but far from the best as an editor. What makes it extraordinary is it's xray. Shortcomings I can think of:
- inability to update an open document when it's edited outside CSSEdit.
- it might screw your docs when reformatting, especially if you have groups.
- isn't scriptable. I'm not asking for something sophisticated but something basic like getting doc's name/path should be supported.
- It insists on opening documents in tabs. I love tabs but sometimes I need to open docs in different windows, e.g. for comparing them.
1. Instill fear.
2. ???????? (use your imagination)
3. Profit!
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#11 2007-08-18 3:44 pm
Re: Learn CSS?
How do these CSS programs compare to Dreamweaver for writing code?
Based on the findings of the report, my conclusion was that this idea was not a practical deterrent for reasons which at this moment must be all too obvious.
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#12 2007-08-18 8:13 pm
Re: Learn CSS?
Your mileage may vary but if you do not own Dreamweaver then don't bother. It can depend on what kind of site you are going to create. If you want a great looking informational site built with CSS then I think Dreamweaver gets in the way.
I started this with stumbling around with frames then table based "design". I then went to Dreamweaver ($400!! Ouch!!) and then discovered Web Standards Design. I have not looked back or used Dreamweaver since.
Writing good markup is the key. Once you figure out how to put down the absolute minimal, straight forward, well presented XHTML and attach a CSS file to it you will drop everything else. (Or at least I did.) Best thing is you don't need expensive software tools to do this. You should not have to spend more than $60, tops. Programs like Dreamweaver have gotten so huge that you spend all your time learning all the ins and out of the program when you could be spending better time with XHTML and CSS.
Max
Last edited by Maxweb (2007-08-18 8:14 pm)
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#13 2007-08-18 8:24 pm
- Pithecanthropus
- Roast Master
- From: St. Cloud, MN
- Registered: 2002-12-30
- Posts: 4452
- Website
Re: Learn CSS?
I agree. Dreamweaver is just too damn clunky and expensive.
Grandfatherly advice: You can drink 'em pretty, but you can't drink 'em smart.
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#14 2007-08-19 8:19 am
Re: Learn CSS?
I basically agree with what everyone else has been saying. Dreamweaver- too much, too clunky. If you want to KNOW what you're doing, go with a text editor, and learn how to write proper markup. If you're looking for specific software, check the sticky at the head of this section of the forum.
[mahakali: YMMV, i guess. i haven't run into those needs, so CSSEdit is a dream for me. the one thing i've run into was other apps not updating stylesheets that i've edited in CSSEdit.]
But, if you want to know where to simply start at the beginning, here are some other resources:
http://www.w3schools.com/ (for everything)
http://www.sitepoint.com/article/html-c … ners-guide
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#15 2007-08-19 9:43 am
- Pithecanthropus
- Roast Master
- From: St. Cloud, MN
- Registered: 2002-12-30
- Posts: 4452
- Website
Re: Learn CSS?
TextEdit! 
Grandfatherly advice: You can drink 'em pretty, but you can't drink 'em smart.
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#16 2007-08-19 10:40 am
Re: Learn CSS?
Pithecanthropus wrote:
chipper wrote:
Pith-
I would have to slightly disagree - I would suggest CSSEdit:
http://macrabbit.com/cssedit/
It's only $30, and it's simply one of the best OSX apps ever written, let alone CSS editor. It's simply awesome.I haven't tried CSSEdit, but I've heard good things.
I get thoroughly frustrated from its way of handling the auto-insertion of semi-colons, but other than that its wonderful.
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