crazyfray

Anyone got a site where they're using XML to generate dynamic content? I'm thinking of using XML for several elements of the website for my workplace, partially because I can easily generate XML through a simple VBA interface far easier than XHTML (since I'm only considering the content), so that I can set up easy ways of changing that content for the completely computer illiterate people I work with. Also, I'm doing an XML course later, so I want ot get some practice in Most items would be fairly standard ones, such as a random image header (like the imageloaders used for all the XML tutorials!), and a resource browser for students (same principle, but the images are links too). For example, the news items would have a format like: I suspect that in testing, 'description' would be fairly redundant. Anyway, if anyone has any good XML tutorial sites, that'd be appreciated too. Notice from jlhaslip: NB: Didn't use the codebox because it was removing tags. Quote tags work in those cases

We have ultraedit at work, which is superb.I have to use Crimson Editor at home, since Ultraedit isn't free. Crimson Editor is still pretty good though.

Oh my. That cursor...as the others posters have mentioned, that's just nasty (specifically, when you're looking in the Nav area)Site looks polished, and nice use of images to balance the large amounts of text. The shoutbox is appropriate for this kind of site, too. I like it. :DPerhaps have a look at the height and width of your content area? It looks like it's overflowing by 1 or 2 pixels on the width, causing it to have a scrollbar at the bottom of the screen, and the height means that your users can scroll down to see lots of dead space.

Basically, it tells the browser what language (and what version of that language) your page is in. I suggest having a look at http://www.w3.org/QA/Tips/Doctype and http://www.w3schools.com/ (and searching for doctype at the second one).

It makes me tempted to set an automailer going on my computer that's on 24/7 at home to my old, unused yahoo account. I'm sure they have a 'reasonable usage' policy just in case... Actually, I might do this legitimately (rather than just ot be a drop-in-the-ocean attempt at annoying Yahoo) to do daily updates of my VBA apps...

Went to have a look at this, using Firefox, but hit the 'sorry.php' page advising me that I wouldn't be able to see the site without disabling adblockers.Seems to me like catering for your target audience involves educating them why they should disable ads, rather than the (somewhat terse) message that implies the user is harming your site for daring to browse to it! Take a bit more time to try and convince your user to help you out, rather than admonishing them for not, IMO.So I looked at it in IE7 Same message, turned off pop-up blocker. Same message on forced refresh, added to trusted sites. Same message. Tried in Opera...saw the page for a moment (which looked good). Then 'Sorry - ...'Bearing in mind that while I tweak the security settings somewhat, I do not have a dedicated adblocker. Perhaps some indication on the sorry.php page as to what users need to do to view the site (enable pop-ups? trusted site (with the variety of things that that affects)?). After all, there are some security features that I won't disable to view a site, at any time...particularly relating to requiring unrequested installations/driver signings to be authorised (other than cookies, which are harmless).What is it you are detecting with this script?Asides from that, the layout is clean and usable, the colour scheme works, and it's fairly clear which sections are clickable (though the search button and login areas could do with the pointer changing to the clicky hand, as you have with the various social site links).EDIT: Retried, and realised that it's only the home page that is blocked. Not sure whether this is deliberate or not, but I went away once I thought I wouldn't be able to browse the site initially. A few more things I noticed when I looked at the content, then (sorry!):About Us: Good to have, though I think it would be better without the underline, as that makes it seem like a link. Also, lots of text underlined has the opposite effect of de-emphasising it, as the user ends up ignoring it when it's hard to read.SEO Tools: Loved the clear and bright buttons - though they could do with alt text. Also, this was the only page that took a long time to load (in all browsers) - maybe optimise those .gifs? If you have fireworks or photoshop, this is fairly easy, but not sure what you have access to.Contact us: The form is great, and easy to see/use. I would take your email off to save yourself being trawled by spambots....that's why most places have an email form in the first place.Register: Again, clear and usable - good use of captcha and requiring acceptance of terms of use. Would be nice to have the 'required' asterisks as you have with the contact us page.Hope that helps!

Same as teknoTom...Perhaps you could take a screenshot of the frontpage, and post for us to look at while you resolve the back-end issues?EDIT: Forgot to say good luck with the scheme - YE is a great thing to get involved in.

Agree that navigation difficult to see, and that intro text needed. I would also add that underlining makes it seem like your date and news item heading are links. It's not a hard-and-fast rule, but generally underlining is avoided for anything other than linking.Focusing on positives: I like the scrolling links for your affiliates (and I'm normally against scrolling text and images), as it adds a dynamic element that your site needed without being distracting. Logo and logo text are funky too.While frames are generally to be avoided, and if you're looking at web design in any kind of longer term view, it's something to start avoiding now, there's no real pressing need for you to change if (1) it doesn't cause any of the people in your group accessibility issues (like if they're using a text reader) and (2) you're not looking for people to find your site. Seems to me that there are some elements of general good web design practice that aren't absolutely necessary for personal and small audience websites - especially if this site isn't intended on staying around for 2 or more years. After all, they did include a frameset doctype flavour for XHTML 1.0 (not 1.1 tho, which is why I say if it looks like this is going to stay up long term, frames aren't such a good idea).Also, this may seem like a bit of a cheat, but I would recommend adding some news a couple of times a week over the next few weeks. When I see sites with news with 1-3 articles, I think that it's a dead site (when if I look at your forums, you have people posting and viewing there), and I think that many users make this assumption too - it doesn't matter whether your site is new or not, as the users aren't going to look at the last modified info (because we are lazy ).Perhaps add a news item about the fact that you've had some feedback here, and that people can expect to see changes soon?

I realise that this is an old thread, but thought I'd mention that this site is currently text-only for me. Updating the content?I viewed in Firefox and IE7.

I'd go with FF7 too. First game that convinced me that you can have a game that really sucks you in you just as much as a book. Story-wise, still not been topped, though the graphics have dated to the point where it puts you off replaying it.

As rvalkass said, main issue is content below navigation (in IE7 and Firefox, anyway). Perhaps specify the width of your left floating navigation in % as you have, and float the main content right?I actually like the way that the page title text overlaps the navigation box...it's little touches like that that can turn a standard layout into something interesting for me...it'll give the final page a bit of depth, but it'll only work if the overall layout is fixed, so that it looks like a conscious design choice rather than a bug.

Thanks for the welcome (and the gl )!Badminton's making something of a comeback in the UK (helped by it being one of the only sports we've managed to repeatedly succeed at, hehe). Not for me though...not playing anywhere near often enough at the moment.Very impressed with the variety of the forums so far

I'd be interested in this too - I need to get back into doing some kind of regular exercise, and I've always wanted to learn a bit of self-defence.My brother used to do Wing Chun kung fu, and kickboxing...he found that he preferred the more physical kickboxing (except for the sparring!), but I think I'd prefer a less explosive martial art.I heard good things about Hapkido, but nowhere near me does it...

I'm fairly slim, but that's mainly because I used to coach badminton, and now walk to and from work everyday for 40 mins each way. However, I certainly don't keep regular sleep hours, or eat a balanced diet.I definitely see this at work...especially when people are getting stressed...which soon turns into a nasty cycle, since you don't feel like exercising or cooking when you've had a bad day.

It's easy to say a homework is pointless if you're not aware of what it's aimed at developing (and it's not easy to know unless you're told).For example, let's look at the most bog-standard geography homework - prepare a presentation on a country (a nice easy first year project). This isn't intended to make you aware of the facts about a specific country, or even to improve your general knowledge about all the countries that people report back on. At the subject level, it's intended on getting you thinking about what facts people would want (or need) to know about a country. More importantly, this would get you used to researching the topic with the means that are available to you.I'll have to come clean here as well....I currently work at a school, and I didn't like homework when I was younger, so I see where you're coming from. Just don't let homework put you off learning off your own back, and you'll be fine

I'm more impressed with the wireless handling of the camera and the phone (though I wish he'd demonstrated the photo on the phone at that point ), in that while that technology is already around, the speed and usability of the devices in sequence was superb. I can imagine my parents, for example, being able to use that fairly comfortably. I suspect that while the use of the multi-point technology is probably impressive back-end stuff, there is likely a limited object library that isn't much more than the glass, camera, map and phone we saw shown. If something like this is going to take off, you (and by that, I mean programmers ) need to be able to define your own multi-touch objects fairly easily. How does this work in terms of linear programming languages...how do you account for dual event listening in a fairly instantaneous fashion? I'd love to be able to see how they code it (though I likely wouldn't understand it!). Impressive, and I'll keep an eye out in the sales. But at ?10k a pop, would you dare put a glass on there? What's the object recognition like for coffee stains?

First off, I would check whether this position confers limited liability - that is, if the company goes under, do you have to remortage the house in an attempt to pay the bills? Limited liability protects the assets of the investor (which is, in effect, what you are) from being seizable if the company hits a losing streak it cannot afford to repay (I may be off in terms of the specifics, but the concept is accurate - if liability is unlimited, as with a small business, you make sure you don't take out loans and then go under...). You should be protected, from the description you have given, but laws vary country to country on this. Also, bear in mind that if this is a non-profit organisation, are you going to get any dividends on your 'investment' that has earned you your slice of the pie? Is it on revenue? We would assume so, but you know what assumption makes... I agree wholeheartedly. To be cliché, verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on (unless you can prove 'em). To go back to this, you stand to regret more from losing out on a share of a company (regardless of the current profit-loss situation) than from choosing to be paid, for the reasons I've outlined above...providing that you are not liable for any loss, and that the position gained does not have additional requirements above maintenance (for example, it's a good deal for them if they are completely non-profit and you are then tied in to maintaining content and updated the site frequently). Basically, before saying yes, get proper (and by that I mean real world, non-forum ) legal advice - if you're from the UK, speak to the Citizen's Advice Bureau. If the deal checks out, the worst you have to lose is the time taken to make the site. As a side note, I would be cautious about this approach...taking this kind of tack puts you on the same level as those trying to cheat you, if it comes to that. There's a world of difference between not maintaining their website if they do not live up to their side of the bargain, and intentionally causing harm. A world of difference with a lot more 0s on the settlement sum, I would guess. I'm sure you aren't suggesting this (I'm sure you mean that they won't know what they need to do to maintain the website if they lose you), but it's worth clarifying this. Good luck, I hope that it checks out and you profit! NB: Please note that when I replied to this topic, I selected reply to several points, but only was able to auto-quote Soby's. I have added the quote details manually, so let me know if you feel I have messed it up EDIT: I notice that you are from Nigeria in your posting profile...not sure how the legal aspects would work with that. Still, same point - proper legal advice needed.

Ooh. Thanks for the tip. Be handy to have a lightweight browser for my travelling USB ...and while Firefox may get speed improvements (I still doubt that it will match Opera), there're still issues with a browser that has such problems 'out of the box', as it were. No, the main reason I really love Firefox (which is why the memory issue really gets my goat...because I do like it, after all!) is the plugins. Plugins are what pushed Photoshop ahead of it's competitors (IMO) in the past (now, it's just cos nothing else really compares ), plugins are what make Firefox great. ...now, if I could get Opera with FF plugins, I think I'd die happy. Yes, I do want the moon on a stick. Back on topic - the fastest one is going to be Lynx though (yeah, that's cheating ) (BTW - anyone used Lynx?)

I have a legit copy - if you format a lot, it's not worth the hassle of messing with dodgy versions (even if you used images, I suppose).I'm wondering how many people that have said they have legit copies actually have OEM versions when they've changed the hardware. That's never affected me (always bought whole system and got new copy), but seems like a gnarly bit of the law that most people aren't aware of.

One of my RL friends is self set up in web design, and he's been successful by having drummed up a client base before starting up his business (e.g. was designing for people he knew through friends, business colleagues and people who'd seen his other sites) while working at a mobile phone company (so no conflict of interests! ). He advertises the fact that he does it all in one package, but places particular emphasis on SEO, and explains why that helps clients to gain more customers. He's a flawless self-publicist (not arrogant, but you know what I mean - I don't have the bottle to just wander up to people and say that I noticed their website is looking shabby!), and that goes with what emzsquare said about business skills. He gets paid pretty well by what I make out, since he tends to make it clear to clients why they pay him more than a web-template site, and they only work together if they are happy and understand that. I know that people emphasise having a portfolio, but he still hasn't got an up-to-date one set up (think he's working on it ATM), instead drumming up business through word of mouth. So, if I go into that field at a later date (we'll see how my course goes ), I'll be looking to model myself on that kind of business model - make sure people know why I'm better than the competition, not be afraid to get business in the real world (rather than relying solely on a portfolio), and ensuring that my marketable skills (which in my case will probably be e-commerce and more functional aspects, plus copy-editing) are forefronted rather than the design aspects. It's not that design isn't important (far from it!), but that it's much harder to point out how much time and effort went into good design - which seems to be the key problem with getting people to pay for any design work, especially web design where 'anyone can do web-design from a template and a design program' (as I've heard from people at my current work - who seem to flounder when I ask where I can find a package that produces non-proprietary code that isn't table-based...heck, I'll settle for one that consistently produces designs that render correctly in Opera...). When you can rattle off a list of functional aspects (SEO, user-details for e-commerce sites, accessibility, validity, usability...) that are directly targeted at increasing a client's customer-base, they are happier. Oh, and living your subject (cliche as that is!) seems to work too - if you can explain to a client why validation and accessibility will save them money in the long run, that's better for them (and your wallet) than simply making sure your sites are valid and accessible. Giving solid examples (like, to pick one out of the hat, how table-driven design will usually put off users using non-visual browsers, losing you customers...(I know some people don't agree with this - not trying to hijack the thread!)). Usual disclaimer: this is what I've gathered from the outside, looking-in. Perhaps some people in the industry can chime in with whether they agree?

Just a quick question...didn't see it answered in the FAQ or the forum sticky...Is it worth it/appropriate to post questions and details about VBA here? No probs if not, since I'm looking at moving on to VB in the near future, and I'll just soak things up instead

I use Opera, Firefox and IE7. Mainly Firefox, but when it slows down (on certain pages, and sometimes the irritating 50% memory issue) I'll switch to Opera...and then when the page doesn't render properly (yes, I'm looking at you, Launchcast...) I'll use IE. 'Course, I test pages in all 3 The thing about Opera is that it's an idealistic browser - it's great in that it's standards compliant, but unfortunately the majority of the web still isn't. I'm undecided about FF...it is awesome, but I find that there is no excuse for the large memory usage it has at times. Yes, I've read about fixes, but the average end-user doesnt want to mess around with about:config workarounds. Yes, I know that much of the bad press is due to plugins, but I think weve got to accept that this is an issue with Firefoxnot plugins. I feel optimistic, though. And when Firefox 3 comes out of beta, I will be in the queue, hoping that the Firefox team have listened to their users (they are fully aware of the issue!). Course, since it is free, theyd be well within their rights to tell me to go sit on a pokey bit of wood. Until the web is more standards-compliant (*cough* likely *cough*), or until the FF memory usage is fixed, I guess IE will have a place in my quicklinks. More's the pity.

Hey all - new poster (but you guessed that, right?).I'm a mid-twenties guy doing some part-time study for a professional web development course - after studying English at Nottingham. Bit of a change, but what are you going to do when you realise that you're not that interested in teaching your degree topic, and that limits any chance of a career in the area? Still, makes it handy for copy editing for web pages, I guess...I work at a school as a cover teacher (kind of), so I'm not going to post too many details on the (outside) chance that anyone I know reads this, but I work in London. Yeah, narrowed down a lot, I know :rolleyes:Used to coach badminton (Coach part 1), and run a couple of school sessions. Not doing any anymore - no time, no time! Barely time enough for studying...uh...and posting on forums...I'm currently learning Flash, Javascript and XHTML+CSS for my course, . Pretty handy with VBA, Photoshop and all office the usual apps.Hopefully, I'll get time to pop up a VBA tutorial for a simple XHTML template generator that I put together soon...but not this weekend!Catch you later!EDIT: After reading the suggested ways of introducing yourself in the tutorials, thought I'd add that I'm hoping the use the web space to set up a portfolio site while I'm learning. Probably try out that WML tutorial on it too!

I work at a school, and I've found that while there are many kids that are superb, and don't lord it over anyone when they are better (or think they're better ) than their peers, there are unfortunately a fair few that will. That can make you feel pretty small, and once you get thinking of yourself as stupid, it becomes really hard to turn it round (especially in the older year groups). I'm sure you yourself have been in positions where a chance (or malicious) comment from another student has made you feel like a fool, and made it harder to get involved in a discussion again, if only for a little while. I'm undecided on whether setting is good or not. It certainly makes things easier for the teachers, which just by itself can make it better for everyone if they were struggling! I think on principle, I dislike the idea of deciding that someone is more or less intelligent (or capable, or however one wants to term the benchmarking), but I can see the benefits in practical terms (for everyone...kids that are struggling aren't going to be helped by having more advanced topics rammed down their throats). It is certainly true that anyone who decides they are going to improve, will. You're spot on there. Good for you (not sarcastic!). I know I didn't at school for the first few years, until I got some (a little) common sense.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I know that sounds a little heavy going, but it's sheer brilliance. The number of pithy comments about society and people being contained in nice, neat little sayings that come out of this book makes me think of it as the off-topic forum of the time