Christy's Design blog

Week 8 homework

This week we were asked to post a screenshot of our code and discuss how we’re using semantic markup and good usability techniques to increase our search engine optimization. According to the Web Style Guide, “Semantic markup is a fancy term for common-sense HTML usage: if you write a headline, mark it with a heading tag (<h1>, <h2>). If you write basic paragraph text, place the text between paragraph tags (<p>…</p>).” In other words, these tags indicate hierarchy to search engines and create a logical structure for anyone who might be reading your code. 

Below is the screenshot of my code. In it, h1 is my logo, h2 is the main heading on my landing page, h3 are the main headings on my inner pages, and h4 are subheads. Another way I maintain logical document structure is by using an external Cascading Style Sheet and putting my JavaScript into external files. By doing this, my page content is still near the top where it is more likely to be found by search engines. Search engines can also find me more easily through the key words and phrases in my meta tags.

The Web Style Guide can be found:

http://webstyleguide.com/wsq3/5-site-structure/2-semantic-markup.html

Week 7 post

Last week I posted the homework for this week. Oops! This week I used EasyRotator from: http://www.dwuser.com/easyrotator/ to put up my portfolio images on my website. I like EasyRotator because it is a Dreamweaver extension. This is a beta version so there are some glitches. The only glitch that really bothers me is that I can’t get it to accept my thumbnails. So I am forced to let it generate thumbnails from the original image—a miniature version of it. Still, I like how it turned out otherwise. Also this week, I added links on my contact page to linkedin, tumblr, and deviantart.

Guest Speaker: Patrick Schwerdtfeger

Last Monday I listened to a presentation by Patrick Schwerdtfeger who talked about using social networking sites to market yourself and/or your business. I didn’t think I would be particularly interested—I just want a job! But he made some excellent points and gave me much to think about. In particular, he suggested posting something that others might find useful. At first I couldn’t imagine what I might have to offer. Then, for my portfolio, I needed a 3D graphic of an open book/magazine. I searched for images but none were quite right. Then I searched for a tutorial and found one—just one. Many sites link to this one tutorial in which the book is viewed from an odd angle. So I followed this tutorial, modifying it to create a straight on view. Teachers and classmates were impressed so now I’m thinking of writing my own tutorial. If that works out, maybe I will do more.