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Books, books, books...which ones?
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- Hernan
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 147
- Thanks: 0
- Student.
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Hi there!
I have realized that I want to learn it all! :cheesy: I mean, I want to learn everything that I think could be helpful to create good quality websites.
More specifically I am thinking on: CSS, jQuery (Javascript first or not necessary?), Ajax?
The ? are because I don't know 1) if I need to learn Javascript to learn jQuery and 2) I am don't even have very clear what Ajax is for and how could I use it to improve my websites.
So...I would like to ask the community for good books to learn those technologies, of course I am not planning to become a master in everything, but I want to learn how can I use them (in a basic level at least) on my websites. I have checked amazon, but I would like to have the advice of you who have already succeed on learning these languages.
I would also appreciate some answers for my questions about Javascript and Ajax.
Thanks in advance!
Hernán.
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- JEM
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17917
- Thanks: 4
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For css:
www.w3schools.com/
For Javascript and Ajax, unless you are a programmer or planning on becoming one, 'If it's not broke, don't fix it'.
I really don't know if there's a 'basic level' for these... the moderators here work with the code we're given by the Team, and if there's a problem with it we contact the Team (coding gurus) to fix it, for the 'average Joe' (and even the moderators) there's no simple fix when it comes to coding js and Ajax vs. css, which we can all hack.
(Not to mention that most js files are proprietary and can't be edited due to copyright restrictions, so there is the issues of not being able to tweak a js file vs. creating your own from scratch, which brings us back to 'If it's not broke, don't fix it'.)
You've mentioned searching Amazon, which is a good resource, but I think even if you find a book which has good reviews, it's finite, written by one author (or group) to explain basic concepts.
IMHO, it's best to search the net and find resources and communities that deal with these specifically.
Something similar to RT or www.w3schools.com/
I would concentrate my efforts on mastering css, and let the coders (here, the Team) do their job.
If you find some limitation in the js or Ajax coding, report it and let the pros come up with a solution.
All in all, I'd like to say 'knock yourself out' but again, for the 'average Joe' it's best to concentrate your efforts on something you have complete control over and ask the pros for assistance if you happen to run into some limitation of js or Ajax.
We have many members here that crank out templates based on RT designs that look completely like a one-off design because they've mastered css, not js or Ajax. - Thanks,
jim
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- John Hodgkinson
- Hero Rocketeer
- Posts: 421
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- Retired, but build and run websites for organisations of school leaders and others - e.g. http://www.icponline.org, http://www.aspa.asn.au, http://www.appa.asn.au
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Jem's right. Learn css. In addition, books go out-of-date so fast, because of version changes in the language or something similar, that it makes the usually high cost of purchasing them a waste of money. Look for tutorials and/or courses online.
Knowing how to run a graphics program and the basics of good graphic design would also be an advantage, I think.
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- JEM
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17917
- Thanks: 4
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John Hodgkinson wrote:
Knowing how to run a graphics program and the basics of good graphic design would also be an advantage, I think.
:arrowu: +1
John Hodgkinson wrote:Look for tutorials and/or courses online.
www.lynda.com/ - Thanks,
jim
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- Hernan
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 147
- Thanks: 0
- Student.
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Hi!
Thanks for your answers!
Regarding CSS, I have to say that I have no doubt that I want to learn it well, and I'll do. But my concern is more about jQuery and Ajax. I didn't explain it very well I think, but my problem now is that I'm totally lost when it comes to those languages. For example, I have visited jQuery webpage and there are lots of nice plugins that one could use for many different things, but I don't even know how to implement them. I am really, really lost. So that's why I was thinking on a book, not a bible of jQuery or Ajax, but something that could explain me how can someone take advantage of those languages, and how to implement them. I am not talking about becoming a coder, I am talking about learning to use what is already created.
I know that here you have first class coders, but their job is just to develop solutions for RT designs and after that, fix bugs. What I want to do is learn how to extend what RT offers with its templates. One more thing that I don't like, unless is extremely necessary is to be asking, how do I install a jQuery plugin?...How can I create an Ajax form? Because I understand that that's not the topic of these forums.
Anyway, I think I'll keep reading on internet and forums about jQuery, and I'll take John's advice, I'll try to learn more Fireworks and Photoshop.
Cheers,
Hernán.
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- John Hodgkinson
- Hero Rocketeer
- Posts: 421
- Thanks: 0
- Retired, but build and run websites for organisations of school leaders and others - e.g. http://www.icponline.org, http://www.aspa.asn.au, http://www.appa.asn.au
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I've bought a couple of useful books in pdf format from Packt Publishing. I've used them to help other people learn about Joomla.
They have at least one book on CSS.
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