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Introduction to XML: DTDs and XSL Transformations
XML needn't be scary. In this beginner's introduction to XML, Tom shows how to define a markup langauge using DTDs, and how XML can be styled just like any other "ML" (HTML, XHTML) etc using a regular CSS file. Then he shows you how to use XSL Transformations to produce HTML and CSS from a raw XML file on a client (using IE6).
This tutorial introduces complex concepts in a simple and accessible manner, and is suitable for beginners.
Read MoreShape and Typography: Foundations of Web Design Communication
"Content is king", they say. But they also say "presentation is everything". You've got all your database stuff working, your content is written, edited, proofed .. and yet, somehow, the web page lacks that certain something. Linda helps you add that something special by guiding you through the design considerations of shape and typography - that's the shape of the paragraphs and images, and the shape of the actual letters themselves to lift your great content into the realm of the brilliant. Read MoreIntroduction to XML
In this beginner's article, you'll find out what is it that gets developers excited about XML, and makes them want to use it. XML is not dependent on any particular operating system; it’s designed to survive IT changes such as a move from Microsoft NT to Linux. It allows you to be able to repurpose data quickly without moving to a new architecture or language. And it allows you to build your own applications. It's also an open standard; you don't need to pay anyone anything to use it; no special programs are required to produce xml (just a text editor), and no single company controls it.
Read MorePoint, Line, Plane: Foundations of Web Design Communication
"Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away."
Robert Henri (1865 - 1929) US painter
In today's tutorial, Linda discusses that fundamental component of design, the line. It's particularly relevant to web design, which has traditionally been based around tables and is now moving to CSS boxes. We look at different cultural responses to line, how lines make symmetry and how symmetry provokes a response from the viewer, helping him or her subconsciously judge whether a site "means business", is trustworthy, stable and responsible - vital design characteristics if you're designing a business site for yourself or your client!
Web Design Mysteries: Elements of Design
Be honest.Have you ever trolled around the web to find a design that you like?
Have you ever contemplated stealing the mark-up or styles from another site?
Have you ever tried to emulate a site, but just couldn’t pull it off?
Have you ever played with an existing site just for fun, and found that if you change even one color the whole site looks off-kilter?
For many of us, especially those from a coding background, we know good design when we see it, but find it very difficult to replicate it, or even describe why it appeals to us. Trained artist, Linda Goin begins this new series, which is a crash course to help newbies and coders understand why they like a design, how to adapt it without stealing it, and how to come up with sparkling new designs of their own.
In this first tutorial, Linda lays out the terms and vocabulary that you need in order to understand and discuss designs - the ingredients that you need to cook together. Using examples of sites out there on the web, we look at how to recognise, and what we mean by
- Line
- Color
- Volume
- Movement
- Space
- Texture
- Value
- Typography
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Free Web Development Tools: The Accessibility Toolbar
Please note a free article detailing the 1.0 release version of this Toolbar is now available here.
Many people find that learning a new web language like CSS or XHTML is tricky from a book which is heavy on the theory, and find they learn best by looking at other people’s sites and seeing how they work. Of course, you can always “view source” in the browser to see the mark-up and check the location of the CSS file to download it, but, as Dreamweaver users, we tend to like the visual approach. Well, now for those using IE under Windows, there’s a free toolbar that offers many options for visual, one-click investigations of the structure of sites, developed by the Accessible Information Solutions (AIS) team at the National Information and Library Service (NILS), Australia.
Don’t be fooled by the name - even if you’re not designing accessible sites, it’s a great way to develop your CSS and HTML skills as well, of course, check accessibility. It gives you all kinds of information about the structure and styles of the site you’re visiting – invaluable if you’re wondering how they made that stylesheet, or learning modern coding techniques.
Introduction to Accessibility in Dreamweaver MX
Accessibility has become an important topic for web designers and developers. In this tutorial, we don't look at the why's and wherefore's of accessibility (check out the free Accessibility FAQ www.dmxzone.com/go?5430 for that ). This is a practical tutorial in which we explore how to use the built-in functionality in Dreamweaver to make existing sites or new development more accessible, without needing to add hours onto development time.Most of us have never experienced being unable to use a mouse, or having to rely on a screen reader to get information from web sites, and so it is easy to not have accessibility at the front of our minds when working on a site. By switching on the accessibility preferences in Dreamweaver, we have a reminder of the attributes that we can add to make using our site easier for all of our users - without degrading the experience for those using a regular browser who will probably never know that these attributes even exist on the site.
This article stands alone, but is the first in a series that I will be writing for DMXZone, focused on different aspects of accessibility - in a way that is useful for Dreamweaver users. My next article will look at navigation and page layout - thinking about accessibility right at the beginning of designing a new web site. Read More
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Accessibility F.A.Q.
Bruce explains the reasons why Web Accessibility is important to all Dreamweaver professionals. It's a skill that will become increasingly demanded by clients as more and more legal test cases go to court, and is a great way of making you stand out from the crowd when tendering for jobs. Also, in the same way that architects can be sued as well as building owners if a building doesn't cater for people with disabilities, constructing accessible web sites could just save yourself a lawsuit...
Read MoreBasic Site Marketing and Search Engine Optimisation
In this tutorial, Matt Machell shares some of the techniques he uses to help market your newly created site, and how to optimise your pages to appear high in search engine results. Using a checklist of do's and don'ts, and an extensive list of links to further information, this turorial shows you the professional tips and tricks that will ensure your client's site does battle with the competition for the reader's time and bookmarks.
Read MoreImportant decisions in Image crafting
In this tutorial, we take a look at the different types of images used on the web. Starting with an in-depth behind the scenes look at how these images are constructed, we move on to checking out which image types are suitable in different web scenarios. Gaining a strong understanding of how images work and when to use them is important in the construction of any good website.
This tutorial will give you a sound theoretical knowledge in order to reduce your file sizes, speed up the viewing of your website and enhance the overall appearance. It is suitable for beginners.
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