Back to basics

[pziecina]

As you all know, I'm not that bad at front end coding, (that's my opinion, so don't argue ), and given that there appears to be a disconnect between what users want to do, and their ability to actually do it these days, I have decided to look at why.

I first though that it was because many do not understand just how the web and the associated standards work, then I thought it may have something to do with the, 'if I want to do it, then it must be the software is wrong if I cannot' attitude, that we see some users take. I even thought it may be the way people are learning about web design and development, that may be wrong. Or is it possibly a combination of all 3, plus others I have not looked at yet?

So as I am now on my run down to full retirement, I thought I may look at just what type of site(s) people are creating when they learn web design/development from books or videos, then create a few of them, with comments about just how good that tutorial series or book actually is, as the content for the 'site(s)'. Plus I intend to actually try the software recommended by the video/book, to do so, (then look at doing the same, using Dreamweaver, Muse, and VSPro).

So to that end, could anyone recommend a good book, or books, that they think, (or preferably would recommend to a beginner) that would be a good learning resource explaining not just the how to, but the why. The why, appears to be the problem when i have looked at a few samples, as everything I have looked at so far, does not mention 'the why'.

If anyone wishes to comment on my idea, or suggest expansions to it, that a beginner would or may wish to include, please do so. I have one limitation though, no frameworks unless that book would be aimed at the begginer.

[osgood_]

Judging by the roar of the crowd you're going to be much better off finding a sunny spot with your favourite magazine in one hand, a bottle of nice wine in the other, forgetting web-development ever existed, and enjoying retirement.

I don't think there is a pathway forward any longer given the multitude of options now available, which will continue to grow. As I've often said in the forum you could learn Quark and Indesign as graphic designer and nothing will change in the next 25 years, you're only limted by your creative imagination not technical  ability whereas being a web developer you are limited by your technical ability.

In over 30 years as a graphic designer there has only ever been 2 serious players, Quark and Indesign. In web development you can real off a whole raft of software that have tried and failed or those that have succeeded and are still around.

Those starting in web-development now will not recognise it in another 20 years, similar to those who started 20 years ago, its a far cry from what it has become today. It's a career where you have to invest many unpaid hours just to keep up, if you don't you're dust in a short amount of time.

[pziecina]

It was also an idea about what to do with my personal web site, but the option of a good magazine, a bottle of chilled wine and a sunny spot, is looking much better.

I have also looked at what is taught by a couple of colleges and universities, which have also yet to catch up with the modern web requirements. I know nothing can really keep up to date with what is happening, but they do not even try, and with the questions being posted now, on this and other forums, the standard of knowledge of many is very questionable, and any future developments may as well stop.

I think i have only read one or two questions worth answering per month, over the last year. All the rest are repeats of complaints, and problems of amateurs who do not want to learn how to code. Which we have said before.

just because one can do something, does not mean one should, and judging by the answers so far, I probably should not.

[osgood_]

pziecina  wrote

and with the questions being posted now, on this and other forums, the standard of knowledge of many is very questionable, and any future developments may as well stop.

I don't really view this forum as anything other than being used mostly by those that are doing this as a second job or 'light heartedly'. Its nice to be able to assist those that need the help but its debatable how many will persist beyond a brief encounter with web-development. Done at even a middle level requires copious amounts of time and constant learning, re-learning and testing which many just are not willing to give or don't have the time or inclination to devote themselves to. Financially its not hugley rewarding in terms of the effort needed just to stay constant whereas other professions where the pace of change is much slower the financial rewards are much greater.

I got out of graphic design largely because I started to view it as an unskilled job in the majority of cases and now I have the same feelings about web-development. The introduction of a large array of frameworks, extensions, plug and play modules etc have devalued it and made it less skillful.

You now have to really decide what to specialise in (which is dangerous and could backfire) and try and become the very best in that field, offering something that fewer can offer or you have to basically give your work away.

[pziecina]

There is still plenty of money in the job, if one works in the corporate level. The problem with that though is that it then starts to become as much admin as coding, with specialising a necessary requirement, (they love meaningless job titles).

The grass is always greener on the other side.

[Nancy OShea]

In the Mike Nichols film, The Graduate, the one word was "Plastics."

Fast forward to 2017 and the word is "AWS." 

Just my opinion.

Magazines, a nice chilled bottle of wine and a quite place beside the river sounds way more appealing .

Nancy

[pziecina]

They were right about 'Plastics', my amex, visa and mastercard are all plastic, and i can even buy chilled bottles of wine with them