Dynamic Blox

A month ago I began entertaining the idea of buying a license for MAMP Pro. It seemed like a really good idea due to the fact that I can just import all my work to a live server without having to deal with directory issues. However, I decided to hold on for some unknown reason. My knack for impulse shopping has turned me into a cautious man. After researching other options, I came across AMPPS, a testing application that does what MAMP Pro does for FREE.

This is a great time to learn CSS, we have a plethora of tools that can smooth out the learning curve and make life so much more pleasant. CSS-Preprocessors were met with some resistance during the early stages, and I was one of the frontend developers that held out briefly. Lesson 1 in the world of Web Development: if you are not willing to learn something new, you should quit immediately and get involved in something else. Lesson 2: I want to discuss how your workflow can become more efficient with SASS.

Congratulations HTML5 (you can wear big boy underwear now), you have finally passed the experimental stages. Compromising for stability has to be an extremely difficult thing to do, when one is not in constant fear for his or her life. Seems a bit extreme, but you get the gist. For years we have gone back and forth regarding the use of HTML5. Some individuals, refused to even entertain the possibility of using it. The same type of guy that (most likely) still uses a flip phone.

Imagine having a college instructor that started losing his hair in his 20s, failed as a designer, displays racist behavior and is unlucky with the ladies. You drop that fuckers class immediately and try to find an instructor that looks like he or she might be toking some sticky green in their spare time (wishful thinking, but mostly fiction). Why? This individual is probably not uptight or stewing with hate and resentment. Trust me, I know this from first hand experience in the land of organized (corporate) religion out west (Utah). That my friend, was my introduction to the creative conundrum known as web design. Based on that unfortunate experience, I tend to believe that college can impact your creativity in a very negative way.

I’ve been using Linux for quite a while now, even dedicated one of my four hard drives to it. Using this platform is a constant learning experience and no one can deny that. I guess this is why so many shy away from it. Before I continue, I have some choice words for a handful in the Linux community; taking shots at another OS is not a good sales pitch. In fact, it makes you appear like the jealous type. Why should you hate or even be angry if you have the better OS and it’s free...

Having expectations in a business like web design can sometime lead to anger and frustration. This only happens, when you decide to do something out of the goodness of your heart and not for monetary reasons. A while ago, one of my university instructors admitted that he designed and developed several websites for free, when he was just a noob in the business. I strongly disagreed with that concept, but he assured me that it is a necessary evil. Contrary to his belief, this approach is not tailor made for everyone. This goes for both, client and designer...

The web is a fickle realm that most people don’t understand. Most users turn on their devices, navigate to their favorite web portal and do whatever it is that float their boat. If you ask any of them how does it all work, you would be shocked by some of the responses...

As a designer, when starting a project I create the Photoshop mockup first. From that point, I will build the HTML layout, test it and then convert it to a theme for whatever platform I might be using. From a developer’s perspective, that is pure insanity. I spent more time retooling my design so it can work with the function. At some point the function broke my beautiful layout. That’s the price of working with a CMS (content management system) and not being able to build your own...

Have you ever bought anything before checking the return policy and regretted it right away? I have on numerous occasions. My most memorable disaster to date has to be the Komodo IDE I bought last year that was on sale for $89. My new years resolution for 2014 was to abandon Dreamweaver and move on to a more geek approved application. I think Dreamweaver CS6 or any other version for that matter is a very good piece of software, but the stench of amateurism is kind of hard to ignore. Call it geek peer pressure if you like...

Is it fair to say the development of HTML5 has been somewhat stagnant? That mostly depends on your perspective and occupation I suppose. At the moment, new HTML5 features are being release that might seem impressive to the untrained eye. However, Adobe’s Flash application was doing the same neat tricks over five years ago. Since we are on the subject, it is also fair to point out that most older browsers do not support HTML5, but support Flash. (via plugin download)...

I’ve been using HTML5 tags for at least three years now and still have to deal with disputes regarding the use of the <section></section> element. I prefer to wrap my main content such as blog posts and sidebars within the section area. The blog posts are wrapped in the article tag and my sidebar is in the aside tag. I like to think of that particular group as an individual section of the web page. An area that is not part of the header, or footer tags. Some would consider this approach as incorrect markup, and that I should do it this way or that way. I don’t really care at this point. With all of the bitching and cat fighting that goes on, I’m starting to see the glass as “half empty”.

The first time I read about CSS3 and all of the new capabilities it featured, the possibilities alone left me scratching my head. I was anxious, excited and perplexed all in the same breath. The excitement was brief thanks to the lack of browser support in the very beginning and some more BS I don’t care to get into. Unlike HTML5, CSS3 caught on much faster.   We no longer had to slice images to create rounded corners and drop shadows...

A while ago I was experimenting with the navigation menu on one of the projects I was wrapping up. I began thinking out of the box and wanted to use color combinations that are outside of my safe zone. My designs often reflect the way I dress; very safe and often dark colors. I came up with something like this (see below) ...

Video backgrounds are not a new feature on the web, I began seeing this as far back as 2008 with the use of the Adobe Flash. Today, I have a simpler solution that requires no plugins, no proprietary software or the use of Javascript on the authors end...

The landscape of web design has changed dramatically compared to the time when, I was introduced to the world of text-editors and IDEs (Integrated Development Environment).  Today you have a plethora of frameworks, free templates and the evil WYSIWYG softwares (just kidding). For years I entertained the idea of posting a tutorial on how to properly develop and design a CSS and HTML template that a beginner can use to fully understand the concept of front-end development. An exercise that will help you better understand what goes into developing a modern website for all devices...