Webpage design and everthing else.

[slitz]

Originally Posted by Laladilya

To the actual programmer people in this thread. What does something like Java/.Net/etc do for web development stuff? We generally use ColdFusion or PHP with SQL and to my knowledge we've never had a project that we couldn't manage something just fine with those. Like the WOW site posted earlier I don't see any reason we couldn't build that using PHP/SQL unless I missed something. I never understood how they [Java/.net/etc] correlate to website development?

It's mainly a middle layer between the client and the server, in most cases, the glue between the web site and the database.
Normal private users that build a web page wouldn't bother at all in 99% of the cases, but you're shooting yourself in the foot if you today build a web page that have the client (PHP for instance) interact directly with the database.
Obviously for security reasons, but for developement reasons as well. Ie, there is a clear distinction between the client and the client-server interaction. Complex pages like for instance Amazon.com require a middle layer to handle the load, the security and the complexity, so Java/.NET is good for that ie whenever you're in need of a three-tier architecture...
PHP can't replace Java and Java can't replace PHP, they aren't even comparable, PHP and JavaServerPages (JSP) are though, and this choice probably comes down to what you know the best.

[Laladilya]

Even if we could get a client like Amazon there'd be no way our small "team" could manage something of that scale, regardless if we knew Java/.NET or not. We generally at best wind up with small scale stuff like a basic photogallery they can update themselves, or maybe a company news thing. Hell some of them I'll just make a template file in Dreamweaver and sell them Contribute so they can edit the text on the html pages lol.

Still may start to tinker with something new though, can't hurt to know it afterall.

Edit : Oh and here are the programs I use (to stay on topic) Basically the graphical side of things:

Photoshop
Illustrator (rarely)
Dreamweaver
Flash/Flex
After Effects

Out of those Photoshop and Dreamweaver are probably my only two must-haves... IE: They're the only two that for certain I will use to make a site. I think Adobe has a Web Development Bundle but I don't know right off hand what all it contains. ~_~

[Hachima]

Originally Posted by Laladilya

Ah thanks. Its basically just a preference thing then eh. I'll just stick to what I know then unless theres really a good reason to jump to something like Java.

On a sidenote, I've been messing with Adobe Air beta - it's actually looking to be pretty good, though the documentation kinda sucks still. Followed a tutorial and made me a drag and drop FLV player over the weekend. ^_^

Where did you find this tutorial? I'd like to play around with it myself =)

[Laladilya]

Originally Posted by Hachima

Where did you find this tutorial? I'd like to play around with it myself =)

Its over at gotoandlearn.com - Free video tutorials on using the Flash Platform by Lee Brimelow.

[slitz]

Originally Posted by Laladilya

Still may start to tinker with something new though, can't hurt to know it afterall.

The best thing one can do imo is to learn that the most important part of OOP (Object Oriented Programming) is learning the different design patterns. They will help you a lot more than anything else related to programming. In fact I would advice you to learn the basics of Java and then jump right into design patterns. Amazon.com: Head First Design Patterns (Head First): Books: Elisabeth Freeman,Eric Freeman,Bert Bates,Kathy Sierra is a extremely good book even for a more experienced programmer, which I can highly recommend. But of course, it requires you to learn OOP basics... It's all worth it though, just to read this book 8)

Once you get passed that, you could move into j2ee basics (enterprise which is pretty much used for middle ware programming).

[Lenas]

Originally Posted by Zeste

I'm gonna catch shit for this... but I'd recommend getting at least 1 iMac. There are alot of programs that are mac only that have just been great for the multimedia and design aspect of web development.

If you're going to have a graphics/flash station, that's what I'd recommend.

I am a little late to the thread, however..

I work in a pretty big web company (200+ employees) and the only macs we have in the entire place is where the video editing guys are, because of Final Cut. I'd say that's the only reason to have macs in the web business - video editing. Everything else, including design/flash/coding, we do on PC's.

[niteflyx]

Originally Posted by Lenas

I am a little late to the thread, however..

I work in a pretty big web company (200+ employees) and the only macs we have in the entire place is where the video editing guys are, because of Final Cut. I'd say that's the only reason to have macs in the web business - video editing. Everything else, including design/flash/coding, we do on PC's.

Dude, widgits.

[Warrik]

Originally Posted by niteflyx

Dude, widgits.

Seriously. That and OSX is vastly superior to Windows and designing on a Mac is a much better experience. I love working on my Macbook Pro.

[niteflyx]

Originally Posted by Warrik

Seriously. That and OSX is vastly superior to Windows and designing on a Mac is a much better experience. I love working on my Macbook Pro.

That doesn't even mean anything. Designing using what software? Most of them, aside from video editing, are on both platforms, and once inside it's the same thing: whatever OS you're most comfortable with.

[Warrik]

Originally Posted by niteflyx

That doesn't even mean anything. Designing using what software? Most of them, aside from video editing, are on both platforms, and once inside it's the same thing: whatever OS you're most comfortable with.

MAMP, Locomotive, Transit, and Coda for starters...

[Usha Starchild]

Hey does anyone know some awsome CSS tutorials or templates? I wanna learn a little more before I start to hire people.

[Hachima]

CSS Tutorial is a good starting point

[Warrik]

Originally Posted by Usha Starchild

Hey does anyone know some awsome CSS tutorials or templates? I wanna learn a little more before I start to hire people.

Some sites to check out:

css Zen Garden - Basically, its the mecca for css designers when it comes to seeing what can truly be done.

Blue Robot - Some great CSS centering examples and basic layouts.

Max Design - A fantastic collection of examples showing how to style your list and incorporate some elements of behavior without scripting.

Eric Meyer - Considered one of the leading experts in all things CSS.

A List Apart - This should be on every list regarding web design.

[Grooverider]

Wow, some of those sites are really nice. Those designers are really talented.

[Xerrot]

Can any recommend me a good CSS book for reference/read now that I'm on break? Thanks in advance!