HTML coding question
Home > Home Recording Forum > Talkin' Smack > HTML coding question
Posted on Apr 25, 2005 11:29 am
ZX6R1033
Perdido
Member Since: Dec 15, 2004
creating menues (such as the one on the right side of this screen)...
anyone have any "how-to" resources?
[ Back to Top ]
Apr 25, 2005 11:33 am What's so special about the menu's here? It's just simple HTML like any other HTML coding...not sure what you are wanting a "how-to" for...
a good way to learn is just to look at the code of the page and see how it's done.
Oh, wait, if you mean the color rollovers in this menu, then you need to look into learning Cascading Style Sheets, that's how it's done here...
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 25, 2005 11:35 am sorry... should have started by saying today is my first day ever attempting HTML coding. Ive been working on it for about 4 hrs and this is what I have so far.
ZX6R1033.sportbiker.com
I want a menu for the site... but im not sure where to begin.
Apr 25, 2005 12:01 pm ah, well, then, just do a Google search for "HTML Tutorial" and you will find about a billion places to learn from.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 25, 2005 12:11 pm been there done that... they dont touch advanced stuff. just font, spacing, paragraph, pictures, exc. the simple stuff. that is what I worked on all morning.
Maybe i will have to buy a book. Ive had a gift certificate to Barnes and noble book store since christmas, but anything I want to know about, I can usually find online.
Apr 25, 2005 12:13 pm to lay something out like this site you need to learn tables, or, if you are feeling saucy, CSS positioning for tableless layouts. I use tables cuz they have less issues regarding compatability from browser to browser.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 25, 2005 02:12 pm ok... more simple quesiton. I am trying to design a "join" form for my site. I can not figure out how to make the "submit" button work. It doesnt seem to Email anything to me, and there is no conformation to tell anyone weather or not it has been submitted. any ideas?
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 25, 2005 02:16 pm sorry... nevermind. I had the last input labled "button" instead of "submit".
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Apr 25, 2005 02:54 pm www.w3schools.com/
good resource, for me anyway
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 26, 2005 10:26 am How do I check to see if the site I am using allows PHP?
Apr 26, 2005 10:33 am Well, the host probably will tell you.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 26, 2005 10:36 am ok I found it... gotta upgrade for $19/month to allow PHP.
What is the box called that allows posting? such as the one found on forums. I want to allow people who use my site to create a blog or something along those lines, and I am looking for directions on how to set it up, but I dont know what its called. Also, can you password protect these types of things?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 26, 2005 02:33 pm seems kinda high for hosting with php. most out there include php in their hosting, along with bunches of other features.
Ok, seems extremely high, though I don't know all the details. but i'm getting hosting for a year for less that what you're paying for 2 months. this includes php and mysql, among lotsa other stuff.
Apr 26, 2005 02:51 pm www.hostpc.com you'll get good hosting MUCH cheaper than that with PHP, MySQL, Perl, Python and all sorts of cool shiznit.
Not to mention first-rate support.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 09:26 am First off.. thanks for all the help everyone.
My hosting = Free. If I had to pay, I would simply use my own server. Problem solved.
next.. I still do not know what it is called that I am looking for the coding for. I would have thought it was under "forms" and maybe I have to change the method.. or what it does with the info submitted on the forms. I have no idea. I tried to look at the source on this forum, but I was quite overwhelmed. Outstanding job on the site Dan... The more I learn about HTML, the more respect I have for you. But alas, I have not found what I need to know... lol.
Apr 27, 2005 09:30 am thanks, but I will say HTML is the least of what makes this site tick. Thats just what gets kicked out to the broiwser, behind it there is a lot of PHP coding that executes on the server, connects to the database, gets the info it's asked for, renders it in HTML and spits it back out.
It may help to leave a link to your problem form, perhaps somebody can look at it.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 09:37 am zx6r1033.sportbiker.com/riders/Chris.html
It isnt a problem form yet. This is what I want to do with the page...
Somewhere on that page, I want to have a spot where the members or "riders" can enter in a journal of sorts. like entering information into one of the form boxes.. only, instead of that info being Emailed to me, I want it to be posted in a certain spot on that page. Kind of like posting on a forum. And, for obvious reasons, I have to find a way to password protect it so that member is the only one who can enter information on their page.
I think I explained it well enough for people to get the idea. maybe not.
Apr 27, 2005 09:42 am ahhhhh, yeah, thats a bit beyond "HTML"...thats database integration and connectivity and such, requiring MUCH more discussion than we could do here.
try www.hotscripts.com and see if you can find a blogger to fit your needs.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 09:45 am what would I look under? is it still HTML, or is it something else?
Apr 27, 2005 11:05 am it depends on your host. To do anything like blogging you need to have a host that allows Perl scripts, ASP, PHP, JSP or something of that nature, and allow some sort of database connectivity...without that your dead in the water...
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 11:36 am I think this site that I am using kind of sucks. either that, or I am not doing something right. I can not see any javascript that I have done, It wont allow any PHP or anything required for blogging...
Blah.
any way of doing popup notifications without javascript?
example: "Thank you, your form has been submitted."
Apr 27, 2005 11:40 am no, not that I am aware of...besides, popups suck anyway, and many people block them now, popups are a waste of time.
looking at the code of your site, I would suggest you concentrate on learning HTML better before moving ahead into blogging or anything...you code has some serious mistakes, never put content meant to be visible BEFORE the <body> tag, eahc page should only have one <body> tags and one </body> tag. I don't see any javascript on any of the pages I have looked at either...
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 11:57 am when I do a 'thank you' page, this usually is php and does the scripting for sending the post, emailing the message, entering the data into a database, etc. so it would be a good idea to keep it a page.
The page before would gather the information, then the submitted page (thank you page) actually does the work.
Hope that made sense.
I got a bunch of knowledge from the w3-schools site on php, css, html. I'm using mysql as well on some stuff, but you can also get scripts to do what you're trying to do, tho those will have to be set up, so you're getting into learning them there as well.
Also,
Quote:
My hosting = Free. If I had to pay, I would simply use my own server. Problem solved.
I'm not sure that free sites would offer php, mysql, etc. And if you did the hosting on your own site, you'd have to get the services running for each of the engines you'd be using. This isn't impossible for the untrained, but it's another step you might consider. I've gotten apache, php, and mysql running on a linux server, then on a windows box. It ain't simple, but can be done if you're inclined to looking around and figuring out stuff on your own.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 11:57 am hmm other than the mistake with the body tags.. how does it look.. considering I started learning HTML on monday morning? lol.
ty for pointing out that mistake, btw.
Apr 27, 2005 12:00 pm other than that, it's just old school code...<font> tags are depricated in favor of style sheets, the align param is depricated in favor of style sheets...but the structure is OK.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:06 pm not too shabby. if you're inclined, you can look into www.cooltext.com for some nifty graphics for web pages. just type in the stuff you want, pick the types of effects and viola, a jpg or png file for you to download and post on your site. I notices some of the artifacts in the zx logo on the top.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:07 pm OK for MAYBE 7 hrs total... divided up between learning HTML and designing the site?
any decent (and relativly cheap) books you might suggest that I can pick up at barnes and noble? I got the basics (thought I did anyway) on what different things mean.. but I still cant do some of the things I want to.
PS..
1) I figured out what I was doing wrong with the javascript. I was attempting to specify the popup notification box action on a seperate page, when it should have been on the same page as the submit button.
2) what I am calling a popup notification box is the box that pops up and gives you the "ok" "cancel" choices on programs. I dont know what it is called, which is why I was having difficulty attempting to find a how-to.
Apr 27, 2005 12:12 pm I believe thats a "confirm" box...
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:12 pm that's an alert. you can have more than just ok cancel, you can have messages there if you want. i believe there's other ways as well.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:12 pm oop, see what i mean
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:15 pm lol Dan is just a hard a**. :D
as for the question on recomended books... do you have any?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:22 pm I've a copy of 'html for the world wide web' by elizabeth castro, 4th edition. it was used constantly when i was starting out. i still have it right close to my desk as I refer to it quite often.
I also have a sitepoint book 'build your own website using php and mysql' that was pretty good. it gives you a bunch of beginner startup information.
I have another sitepoint book 'designing without tables using css' that is pretty good. 34$ i think.
I will say again, that the w-3 schools site will give you pretty much all of this stuff in their tutorials. I went through a bunch of those, a bunch of times when first learning this stuff. highly recommended.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:24 pm ive been refering to that site for everything I have done thus far.. it is extremely good for a refrence, but Dan is saying that a lot of the code they use is outdated... such as the <font> code.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:37 pm look though the css tutorial. i did. css is a different animal than the html positioning and display thing. They work together, but it takes a little more 'overall' planning. In the end it's leaner code.
I think you should remember as well, that this isn't a 'couple hours and i'm done' ordeal. Some of the stuff you're looking to do is quite involved. Also, trying to code everything all at once may be too much a task, until it all make more sense.
Or, you may never code again after this, so in that case, it's all good. =)
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 12:45 pm I'm definitly not looking to make a profession out of it. It is something to occupy my time at work, since my job is VERY boring. But... if I am going to learn it at all, I want to learn to do it the right way. And, I respect Dan's opinion, so what he said got me thinking a lot about my coding.
Thanks for everyone's help.. I guess I just have a lot more to learn.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 01:04 pm heh, once you get through this, you'll see where other people's sites can be helped out, or even made for them. Seems if you're cranking along this well in 3 days, you may find other projects to do.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 01:30 pm I just went through the hands on section of the basic HTML on w3schools, and I have no problem with the coding on that. I want to learn javascript but I am having a total brain fart, and seem to be unable to learn at this point in the day.
I would love to learn menus next... my site navigation "menu" is nothing more than links on the left side of the page. BOOOORRRIINNNGGG. lol.
Seems if you're cranking along this well in 3 days,
thanks.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 01:50 pm I found javascript to be a real pain in the butt. If there's any teeny thing wrong, none of it will work. And, it won't tell you why (very much). Then you have to start trying things differently to see what one fixes the prob. In PHP the compiler will tell you which line it doesn't like, as well as some idea of why it doesn't like it. Way faster de-bugging. But alas, PHP can't do the client side actions that javascript can.
Those menus can be livened up pretty easily with css. control how the 'a' links change when hovered, and it starts getting pretty neat. there's also the drop down menus, but i haven't gotten there yet.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 01:56 pm i can do simple drop down menu's like the ones found in forms... but I dont think that is really the direction I want to go. I can find hundreds of programs that will do the code for me.. but all of them cost money, and none of them allow me to learn how to do it myself.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 02:28 pm forms are list boxes, not menu. are you looking for the menu changing like on this site? that's css
give us a link to menus that you want to emulate.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 02:31 pm Thing is... I am not sure what I want my menu to look like yet. But I will post a link to it if I see one I like on another site.
Apr 27, 2005 02:38 pm Quote:
If there's any teeny thing wrong, none of it will work.
ah, so, if it's done wrong it won't work? Those BASTARDS! How dare they make something that won't work if it's done wrong... :-)
Javascript is a hassle because it's client side, EVERYTHING that runs on the client is subject to client differences...it's the private hell for any web developer, every profofession has their issues, that is ours.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 02:46 pm painfully obvious: 0
smart-aleck: 1
Apr 27, 2005 03:35 pm I also do web design etc and I'd suggest you follow Dans first advice.
Learn rudimentary HTML. ALSO - VERY IMPORTANT - learn to use style sheets. I redesigned my entire collection of websites and client websites using almost entirely style sheets with litte/no tables involved. I used no font tags, colours or aligns whatsoever.
Ive been at it for 4 years but I suggest HTML, CSS then if needed, Javascript. Also, the mouse over colours you see on this site, on the menu, on my site and on most sites today are NOT rendered with JS..they are rendered with CSS - much easier and less code.
Learn CSS - its the future and indeed, will probably do the menus you speak off.
Coco.
Apr 27, 2005 11:38 pm This reminds me alot of myself, less than a year ago, when I came on here posting my first ever attempt to make a site for my band.
I have to say: compared to mine, you got alot farther then I me in my first 7 hours. I was just happy that I could create links and make stuff different colors.
I also remember that when the time came to start dividing up the page (clue: <div>) into different sections like the header, navigation area, etc; I was just as confused as you were (see? www.homerecordingconnecti...5207&frm4). After a little while and a bit of reading and practice, things started getting clearer, ideas were branching out.
At this point in time now, I've plunged head-on into PHP/MySQL with a site I'm doing for a friend. I'm actually pondering the idea of starting up my own little side business of it, kinda like what Coco is doing.
Basically what I'm trying to say is that while there is a bit of learning curve to it, the feeling you get when things really start clicking makes it all worthwhile.
Here's some resources that may help you.
Free hosting with PHP/MySQLwww.completely-free-host.com
HTML Dogwww.htmldog.com -this is the site responsible for me finally understanding CSS
Just keep at it, man. It'll all come to you
Mike
Apr 28, 2005 03:42 am Hey Mike
Long time since I seen ya roond these parts man..hope yer well and band doing cool.
RE: The website - good shouts with the sites and the advices...I strongly believe CSS is definitely a big part of the future of web development and design.
Couple this with the power of a database driven, dynamic site and it IS the future!!!! Aye...content is held on the db, design in CSS..perfect
Coco.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 28, 2005 10:42 am the more I read into CSS... the better my website looks just the way it is. Maybe oldschool HTML is good enough for me after all.
Apr 28, 2005 12:24 pm You may think that but I can tell you that HTML 4.0 is depreciating fast and the tags you have used are going out of existence soon enough. CSS WILL be used heavily in the future and will be required in the long run...
Therefore, there will be little to no choice in the matter - its only a matter of time before such "oldschool" tags as FONT etc are not supported. Wben tags arent supported, they stop working. You can work out the rest.
Coco.
Apr 28, 2005 12:30 pm The basics of CSS, such as simply defining font types and sizes, is quite simple, and necessary. Just wait until you want to change something like that on your site and you have to go thru the whole site and change every stupid little tag...with CSS, you go to the style sheet, change the definition and it changes it through the entire site.
In all honesty, I think it will be quite a while before depricated tags are actually dropped, but, if you are learning to do something, it's always best to learn to do it right.
Don't take the homer simpson "if it's hard it ain't worth it" attitude. ;-)
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Apr 28, 2005 01:20 pm But since I am probably going to be the only one ever looking at my site... that attitude seems to fit pretty good. hehe.
