Posted by Jose on 01/20/06 06:38

> I've gone to various sites recommended to learn html and CSS, and when I
> implement it, I'm told "don't do that." Fine. I need something to do.

Visit many sites, and try to find your way around them in various
configurations. Shrink the window. Expand the window. Use a black and
white monitor. Take your glasses off. Browse it on a PDA or a cell phone.

Get frustrated.

Write down all the things that frustrate you.

Then, make sure that you don't do those things when you create your web
pages. One way is to ask yourself =why= for every trick you'd be
tempted to pull, and make sure that the answer comes from the User's
perspective. (Why do I want to limit the table to 75% of the window
width when it's the only thing there... why do I want the font size to
be 40 pixels... why do I want a rococo design for the page background).
Often, when seen from a frustrated user's perspective, the answers
won't come... in which case, don't do that. :)

I seem to be saying what not to do, but what I'm really saying is to
make your own list (based on your own frustrations and bad sites) of
what not to do.

DO present your content simply, in a manner that loads fast, and
degrades gracefully. Start simple, add tricks only when necessary.

Jose
--
Money: what you need when you run out of brains.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

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