Neverside

New to XHTML + CSS

Hey guys, I wasn't sure where this post should go so I decided to put it in the closest related forum I thought appropriate.

I'd like to learn how to code properly in XHTML and CSS but the only problem is I have a very basic knowledge of HTML. Is it possible to jump directly into XHTML/CSS and learn everything I need to know about making a well-presented website? If so, could you guys point me in the right direction as far as material to read or tutorials out there that get you started on making the basic layout/design? I've read through some of this (http://forums.neverside.com/view/thread50548/) but have found it a little dated (back to 2003). So if you guys could lend me a helping hand without flaming me too much i'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!
adriankeith.

Originally posted by adriankeith:

... without flaming me too much i'd greatly appreciate it!

Hey round of applause for a humble newbie. Your kind are few and far between.

It's late and I can get into more detail after some sleep & coffee, but the short answer is that, although dated, that is still very valid information. Lest we forget 2003 wasn't all THAT long ago, XHTML really hasn't gone that far in the mean time.

I understand the tutorial's a little cumbersome. Fred and Dan were a little better at understanding these technologies than actually explaining them to others, perhaps, but the information is still very valid and certainly up to date.

Without getting too specific for sake of a short post, the BIG idea with XHTML and CSS is separation of style and content. You want to use tags that describe your data (<p>'s for paragraphs, <ul> and <li>'s to create lists, <h#>'s for headings, <blockquotes>'s, etc). This way how your document functions and how it's presented are completely separate entities, making your source code uncluttered, your tags semantically correct, and makes things like redesigns MUCH much quicker (case and point: http://csszengarden.com).

But also above all, XHTML isn't much beyond a glorified HTML so don't be intimidated by that X. Close your tags, use lowercase <tagnames attributes="and whatnot">, and don't create your layout using tables and you should be off to a decent enough start.

I'll work on finding some good, helpful links over the next day or two, but in the mean time take a peek around Neverside. There's a lotta fundamentally helpful threads floating around, Google shall guide your way. And post back often, we're glad to help.

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Jon Culver Chia Pets

its "dated" but everything in there sounds ok to me, xhtml and css is still the same things as it was 2003. dunno about 12 though + maby u need more on how to do advanced css layouts and then maby some info on how to avoid hacks for browser inconsistencies.

i dont have a list of resources to give u but ill post links whenenever they come to mind.

1. http://css.maxdesign.com.au/index.htm
2. http://glish.com/css/
3. http://www.bluerobot.com/web/layouts/
4. http://www.csscreator.com/links/linkspage.php (everything css)
5. http://www.csscreator.com/version2/pagelayout.php (just found it )

...more to come...

EDIT:
6. http://www.webreference.com/authoring/languages/xhtml/beginning/

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//mr.oak

Last edited by mroak, March 8th, 2006 02:32 PM (Edited 6 times)

ahem* heres one more for the books ; )
http://scudworkz.com/htmltutorials/firstwebpage/

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scudworkz.com.

oh and when creating tags that have no closing tag such as img or br, do it like this isntead:
old way
<img src="">
<br>

new way
<img src="" />
<br />

adding a space slash to the end of an open tag that has no closing tag will not only make it a bit eaier to read, but i think its required.

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Hey guys, thanks for the quick and informative responses. Also, thanks for the links. I'm going to get cracking on those and see what I can learn from all of those. By the way, Sparky, would It be all right if I asked you a few questions here and there throughout my learning process? I don't want to flood this thread with all my questions (hoping to keep it to a minimum) so long as that's all right with you.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it.

Regards,
adriankeith

Certainly. Catch me on AIM, 'bahoo boris'.

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Jon Culver Chia Pets