Instructions are a lifesaver!

“If everything else fails, read the instructions.”

Unknown Author

Week four of Delivery Systems I, and I feel like I have accomplished so much in such a short time. I've come to a better understanding of web design. I'm very excited for Delivery Systems II, and to begin my next website.

Today's final exam was both wonderful and frightening all at the same time. During study group yesterday afternoon, Williams let us know the final exam would have a few surprises, and to read everything very carefully. Test time came, and he handed out what seemed like a booklet. Reading some of the questions, I realized I needed to learn more about hexadecimal colors, and that I was in trouble because I couldn't use Photoshop to just grab the color #.

About two pages from the back, I found some easy questions, and filled out the answers. Then I remembered the instructions, and read all the way to the back. I giggled when I saw the note Williams had left for us. Basically instructing that we only needed to do sections 4 and 6 and then have a great weekend. You cannot imagine the sigh of relief that passed over me! Lesson learned, but it also brought to my attention that I have so much that I've yet to learn.

Search Engine Optimization

"Good design encourages a viewer to want to learn more."

Alexander Isley

Website #2 is a 5-7 page site about one of four topics. I randomly chose "Search Engine Optimization" from the bucket.

It was much easier writing out the code this time around. I still had some snags with it, but I'm happy with the end result. I stuck with a red, yellow, and blue theme (tried to mimic the Google colors without being exact though).

I implemented a few things that I learned throughout class, as well as many of the tips and techniques I learned about through researching SEO. I was not aware of how many factors are taken into account when ranking your website on a search engine.

Here's the finished website! Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

What makes a good website?

"Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication."

Leonardo da Vinci

What makes a good website? Each person will have a different answer because of personal preference (ie. colors, images, layouts, etc.).

Personally, I enjoy vibrant, beautiful colors, or soft, soothing colors. Simple, but elegant layouts. Lots of eye candy, but not so much to overwhelm the viewing experience. I like to be able to find the information I'm looking for, and navigate around the website with ease. A little bit of flash is acceptable, but I want the ability to skip seeing it each time.

When I'm looking for specific information, and need it quickly, I appreciate when the website loads quickly. If I have some time to spare, or am looking to be inspired, I will wait longer for a website to load.

Welcome to Delivery Systems I

"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."

Pablo Picasso

This month I am starting Delivery Systems I. I had mixed feelings about it, because I knew a little bit of the html coding, but never how to properly implement it into a website. The thought of learning CSS and PHP was a little daunting as well.

This first week was a lot to take in, but I feel as though I am getting the hang of it. Things are still a little frustrating, because the web pages don't look exactly how I imagined. I still have a long way to go, but with time and practice, I'm confident that I will get there.