Long time no see

Just realized I've been neglecting my blog recently. That's what school and 5-6 hours of homework a day does to you. I'm not complaining I just sometimes envy people with a life, I remember those days.

So lots has happened since my last post:

Couple weeks learning JavaScript, really enjoyed learning this I can see using this on many of my web pages for adding a little action, interactivity and just adding a little spice to the pages.

Back to C# for 3 weeks of advanced programming, It's not such a bad language once you get the concept of object oriented programming. I don't know if this will be my language of choice but it's nice to know I have the option, can't wait for php.

Currently working on 1 month long Java course. In many ways I find it very similar to C#. Suppose the best aspect is being able to create applets and directly imbed them into any HTML page.  I can definitely see using this quite a bit it in the future.

That's it for now. Promise not to wait too long for the next update.

P.s. I will be needing a job placement for Nov 21/11 to Jan 13/12 in the web design/development field if anyone knows someone that can help I would appreciate a call. Thank you.

Flash and Action Script

Just finished a 2-week Adobe Flash course with an intro to Action Script. It's easy to see why Flash is so popular, the animation and motion clips it can create are very impressive and seemingly endless. Flash enables even the novice web designer the ability to add professional, interactive, dynamic aspects to their pages.

As with Dreamweaver, Flash should not be relied upon exclusively in the creation of sites. It's purpose is to enhance the look and operation of dynamic sites but is limited and can't match the scope of using HTML and CSS for the building of a well designed site.

The next 4-weeks will be focusing on Action Script, the scripting language used by Flash. So although I'm already impressed with what Fash can do, I'm sure I'll be even more impressed in four weeks. Talk to you then.

Dreamweaver

I have just finished the Dreamweaver course and I think its a great program. It really helps in the creation of a web site even if you are not 100 percent sure of the code required. It is an excellent "tool" in the area of web design, however, it cannot replace knowing HTML and CSS.

Database Design with MySQL

This was my first introduction to Database Design and I think it’s Fascinating. I found it much easier to grasp than my introduction to programming with C#. I can also appreciate the practical side of having so much data available in an organized fashion.  It was remarkable seeing how we could access almost any combination of data from unlimited sources by creating queries to join only those tables we need.

I can see myself using databases not just in a work environment but also on a personal level. While at school keeping a  database of all topics and courses, cheat cheats, books and related websites  and being able source and cross reference everything we have learned and where to find related subjects would be invaluable.

I am now looking forward to Dreamweaver.

C# If this is an easy language to learn I'm in trouble!

So we have just finished our first course in Programming (C#). I keep hearing it's one of the easier languages to learn. If that's so, I'm very lucky we didn't start with a difficult one because I'd still be under my bed crying and using mustard and ketchup bottles to make nice curly brackets on my new white canvas coat with the extra long arms while singing show-tunes through my Hannibal Lector Mask  (yeah I said "still"). But I'm feeling much better now.

I may be able to attribute the awkward transition from the design side of the program to the coding side on the fact I haven't spent much time using that side of my brain recently. I wasn't going to tell anyone but during Fridays exam I was sure I smelt smoke. I'm not sure if dead brain cells can burn, but I went to the washroom and poured water in my ear, "better safe than sorry" my therapist always says, just before he says "I'm not your therapist get out of my house before I call the police, and put some pants on".

Don't get me wrong I'm looking forward to being able to program, it's just the learning curve sometimes looks more like a hair pin turn. I'm certain I will become more comfortable as I gain experience and continue to build on this foundation I have started.

Looking forward to Data Bases now. How hard could that be? But if I don't show up for class any day this week, you'll know where to find me.

5 Portfolio Sites I like

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I just like the  use of colors. Its a very bright, fun looking site not bogged down with text on the landing page. The penguins are a nice touch.

 View Site

A very simple yet appealing design. Creates the illusion of looking up and seeing the leaves falling down. Simple and clean

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Creates the feel of underwater with very little use of graphics to take away from the overall clean look of this page. Just a hint of color (goldfish) to draw your attention to the center of the page.

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These colors just reach  out and grab you saying "Sit down - you're not going anywhere"  Once it has your attention the layout is simple and easy to follow.

View Site

Well laid out excellent use of large icons as menu buttons. Subtle colors and clearly outlines what his company does.

This is a bearded man with a bird and a chipmunk. I think he's gonna eat them.

My Favorite Course

Having just finished my Premier Pro assignment I now know I will never work in film editing. I also have a lot of respect for those individuals who can sit for hour after hour fine-tuning snipits of video and audio, only to realize the hours you invested result in a 30 second finished product.

So far I would have to say Photo Shop is my favorite piece of software that I have learned thus far. It appears Photo Shop is a program that can be used in many aspects of web design/development. Having spent several weeks using PS I have come to realize every time you use it you learn something new. Its's definitely a hands on program in, in that, after learning the basics - through away the book and just explore and have some fun.

Costomer Service: Client Reflection

It's often said the best way to fully understand the job you do is to reverse rolls with the individuals you deal with. In our Customer Service class we were given that exact opportunity, work as both a Web Designer and experience being a Client.

I feel this was an excellent way to to help understand the art of communication that is essential when attempting to create a visual representation of another persons ideas. This project enables us to understand first hand the hurdles and frustration of not being able to clearly express what we see in our minds eye.

Snow Wimps

Observation of the Day

Whats happening to us as Canadians, are we becomming a country of "snow wimps". Today we had a few inches of snow and you would think the earth had stopped rotating. All schools closed, including universities and colleges, highways closed, parents had to stay off work to protect there little ones from freezing (not to mention making sure their children were ok too). When I was a kid...

I bet you however, Justin Beiber wasn't afraid to go to work - he fears NOTHING! In fact, from now on before I make any major decisions I'm gonna start asking "What would Justin do?"  I think that might work better than what I had been using "What would Charlie Sheen do?"

Photo Shop - AfterAffects and Carrot Muffins

With three weeks under my belt in the Web Design and Development Program at Conestoga, I'm happy to report things are going well. The first two weeks of Photo Shop helped shed some light on the art of graphic and photo manipulation. Last week I had the opportunity to jump into Adobe's After Affects, an amazing piece of software that with a little practice can have a newbie, like me, feeling he's ready to be the next George Lucas.

As I  have mentioned this is only the start of week four in an intensive 51 week program. It blows my mind to think how much I have learned in that short space of time, but more importantly, how much more there is yet to learn - I'm gonna need a bigger blog.

In a completely unrelated matter - Carrot Muffins (I don't know why I capitalized "Carrot Muffins" but it just seems right). I have recently revealed to a few of you what I thought to be the best breakfast deal this side of the Atlantic. McDonald's offers a small coffee and muffin for $1.46 tax included, Yeah you heard me right "tax included" and if that's not enough to get you out of bed before 10:30 am then just wait... If you drink your coffee while you are there they will refill it for FREE! Oh yeah, I thought I was onto something big until this morning when I happened to read the nutritional facts.

My bubble was burst this morning when I read my muffin contained 430 calories, 16 grams of fat and a whopping 36 grams of sugar - Gotta go, I'm crying too much

Back to school

I never thought I'd back to school on a full-time basis at this stage of my life. I had been taking part-time HTML and Web Design courses and enjoyed it so much I started looking for more courses to sign up for. This is when I accidentally stumbled across a 51 week intensive  Web Design and Development program offered at Conestoga College.

At first I thought it would be an excellent program for anyone wanting to  work in the web development area (As I did).  Although I thought I would love to work in the field, I couldn't see myself sitting in a classroom for a year. It had been over 20 years since I was a full-time student (also at Conestoga College). However, after about a week I decided to look into the program further.

My concern was not so much completing the courses, I have never had much problem grasping new concepts and passing tests, my concern was that even if I graduated would I be taking seriously in the job market. I knew I would be competing for entry level positions with new college and university graduates in there twenties.

After some time I decided If I was going to make this change that now was the time. I knew it was going to be a  big change for me but if I was ever to find employment in the field of web deveopment I needed to return to school and  gain the training I would need to find a position that would be both challenging and enjoyable. When the time comes I hope those individuals doing the hiring can appreciate age, work and life experiences can be an invaluable asset to any organization.

So here I am, completing homework after my second week of school. I absolutely love the program so far and my instructor (Mathew Campell) is not only knowledgeable but uses his quick wit and terrific sense of humor to help everyone feel comfortable and enjoy this new environment. The course-list is a little overwhelming but nothing is going to stop me absorbing as much as I possible can.

I know I've made the right decision and am excited about what the next 50 weeks has to bring.

Hello World

First day in the blogging world.