Module 3
I really enjoyed this module. I have been wanting to learn HTML, but I was having trouble finding a good source to learn from. I have had a look at HTML instructional pages before, but was having trouble absorbing the information. Now I finally have the hang of it. I just need to commit all the codes to memory. HTML is not as hard as it once seemed!!
Here are my results and observations for Module 3:
HTML tags
I had no problems completing the HTML task.
Optional ‘standards’ task:
Make a summary of what you believe are the 5 most important ‘rules’ for writing online. Think about any differences between the articles: for example, is the advice in Nielsen’s paper -- written in 1997 – still current?
- Record your summaries and comments in your learning log
I believe the 5 most important 'rules' for writing online are:
- Be concise
- Don't use 'marketese', or exaggeration
- Divide information into sections
- Keep ideas to one paragraph
- Present information in a user-friendly format - consider your target
Nielsen's paper is still relevant. People still read the same as they did in 1997, however they may now have a little more patience with websites. Horton's article has the similar information, but also explains the consequences of taking Nielsen's rules too far. I have had difficulty accessing Jerz's writing. I keep timing out when I try.
Optional ‘standards’ task 2:
Test your web page according to the W3C standards by going to their ‘validator’ page. If your page does not conform (it probably won’t!) record in your learning log why you think this is: try and identify the particular tags or code that are causing trouble. Are the problems related mostly to display, usability, or accessibility?
I performed a markup validation and my page failed for many reasons. Some were easy to understand, like failing to close things, or forgetting a character. Others were confusing, such as "No Character Encoding Found! Falling back to UTF-8.", and " No DOCTYPE found! Attempting validation with HTML 4.01 Transitional". I read the FAQs but I still don't understand them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
OK, with some info from W3C and from Benjamin in the discussions, I have fixed the major problems I mentioned above. I am left with a number of small errors. The following message seems to explain it all:
One common cause for this error is the use of XHTML syntax in HTML documents. Due to HTML's rules of implicitly closed elements, this error can create cascading effects.
It seems that if I use an HTML doctype rather than XHTML, the instructions I have written will make full sense. I will have to look further into this.
I'm glad I chose to complete this optional task. I have learned heaps from it, and still have more to learn.
ftp
Try uploading your web page (or your draft info bank or learning log) to your student web space in Oasis or your own web space provided by your ISP if you have one using ftp.
First, make sure you still have your ftp client from module 1.
Read any instructions provided about using ftp to upload a page (rather than downloading as we did in module 1).
You will also need to read the instructions in the Oasis ‘help’ section on ‘using ftp’.
Once you are ready, upload either your test page, or your finished assignment.
- Record the url of your uploaded page in your weblog
I had no luck using ftp to upload my page. Instead I uploaded it to the presentations section in WebCT. It can be found at : http://webct.curtin.edu.au/305033_b/student_pres/Group59/index.html
