IDCC 370: Web Design I   Spring 2008

Check this out:

As we take styling beyond the text to other elements on the page, including the page container itself, you will need to become familiar with the css box model, as that forms the conceptual and technical underpinning of all layout and design elements with css.

Note this figure from Andy Budd. You can see from this set of "boxes" how the container metaphor works and how white space can be introduced into page design. In class, we will put this box model into action, taking to the next design level as we work with margins, borders, and padding. Eventually, we will move all of this to the ultimate container: the "wrapper" div. I think you will enjoy the new design power that css and its box model give you.

In preparation for our design work in class, please go to these sites, and I will tell you what to do:

• Hakon Wium Lie: http://www.telenor.com/telektronikk/volumes/index.php?
  page=author&auth_id=71
• Bert Bos: http://www.heise.de/ix/artikel/2003/05/136/06_en.shtml

If you have questions, just e-mail me at wbuchholz@bentley.edu. Feel free to comment on this announcement, or if you want to e-mail it, click on the little mail icon directly below.

Labels: Andy Budd, Bert Bos, Cascading Style Sheets, CSS, CSS box model, Hakon Wium Lie

Check this out: Web Site Directory Structure Tutorial

Be sure to work through this tutorial carefully before class. The thumbnail image to the left links directly to the PowerPoint Web tutorial (for your convenience).

The information in this tutorial is vital. Understanding this and undertaking the suggested "best practices" will save you a lot of grief as we proceed through the course. Be sure to ask questions that may occur to you as you study the slides in this tutorial. I have some real horror stories to share with you from students who did not take directory structures and Web backup seriously enough.

You may want to print out the tutorial before class (Web Site Directory PDF). That way you'll have the slides and my discussion notes right in front of you . . . and you can make any additional notes you might need right on the printout.

You should also use the information in this tutorial to flesh out your discussion in exercise 1 on directory structure. Here is a sample of how you would actually source this in your document:

Buchholz, W. (n.d.). Web Site Directory Structure. Slide 9 in Web PowerPoint Slides. Retrieved September 15, 2006, from http://cyber.bentley.edu/faculty/wb/presentations/directories_files/
slide0007.htm (opens in new window).

I'll show you in class a quick and easy way to grab this URL, rather than laboriously typing it into your document. If you can figure out how to do this on your own, I will be impressed.

If you have questions, just e-mail me at wbuchholz@bentley.edu. Feel free to comment on this announcement, or if you want to e-mail it, click on the little mail icon directly below.

Labels: best practices, directory, PowerPoint, Web site directory

MediaPost Publications - Accessibility's Impact On Search - 09/13/2006: by Rob Garner, Wednesday, Sep 13, 2006 1:45 PM ET
"LAST FRIDAY, A FEDERAL DISTRICT court judge ruled that the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) may file a class action suit against a major retailer with a strong e-commerce presence. The claim is that the company's Web site lacks the basic coding attributes that are required to enable blind customers to access the site. The NFB also claims that the company violates California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, The California Disabled Persons Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The impact of this case ruling could change the way every corporation and designer approaches Web development in the future. Ironically, the attributes required for blind customers are similar to the tactics long touted by good natural search optimizers." Read more . . . .

Labels: Americans with Disabilities Act, Disabilities, Disabled Persons Act

Check this out:

It's here at last. You can get your very own copy of Studio 8, a $999 value for $146 plus tax. Just proceed to the front desk of the Academic Technology Center in the Adamian Academic Center, Room 168. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, but you might want to phone ahead to make sure that someone is there to help you (781/891-3421).

Tell Laura Ford or her assistant that you are there to pick up your copy of Studio 8. Be sure to provide your student ID card so the software can be charged to your account. That's all there is to it.

If you have questions, just e-mail me at wbuchholz@bentley.edu. Feel free to comment on this announcement, or if you want to e-mail it, click on the little mail icon directly below.

Labels: Academic Technology Center, Dreamweaver, Laura Ford, Macromedia, Studio 8