Category Archives: Jibber Jabber

Working On A Site Redesign.

One of the things I love about working on personal projects is the freedom you get in your design. You can experiment a bit, play around with the code, test out different layouts. For the most part, there really isn’t any pressure to produce something extraordinary on the first attempt. On top of that, you can just keep hacking away till you come out with the perfect design and layout. Add something, take it away, add it back, then completely switch it up if you’d like.

You really can’t do that with client projects. For the most part, you get a feel for what the client expects, code out a couple different versions in a set period of time, and hope and pray the client is happy with one of the end results. If you’re reading your clients correctly and listening to what they want, this usually isn’t a problem.  They pick a design, you get it uploaded to the server, do a little beta testing looking for any bugs or glitches, and if all goes well, you move on to the next project.  Easy peazy!

I’m currently in the middle of a client project that is going well. In the meantime, I’m also redesigning bitcoindood.com and this site. I’ve learned so much in the first thirty days of doing the 100DaysOfCode challenge on Twitter, that I think I’m just going to hack away at my two personal projects and see what I come up with.

It’s been a long time since I just built something with no direction. In my opinion, those were always the funnest projects and gave birth to some of the best results. I’ve got a pretty good handle on the client project I’m working on. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be practicing all the new markup and css I’ve learned on my personal projects. My personal sites will probably be changing on a daily basis. I’m pretty excited to see what I come up with.

In other news I’ve signed up for a free eDX JavaScript course that I’ll be starting next week. Staying busy, keeping it fresh, and updating my skill set!

 

Learning To Code

image of space

Learning to code isn’t easy. It takes time and dedication. There are no shortcuts!

I think it’s true that anyone can learn to code. The question is whether or not you’re committed to the task. Nobody can really teach you how to do this. I guess what I mean is nobody can hold your hand each step of the way and say, “OK, do this. Now do this.”

You can follow tutorials, and read. Then read some more and do more tutorials. Then sit in front of your computer and try and apply what you’ve learned so far. Then read more! More tutorials! More reading!

That’s how you learn to code!

Recently I decided to take the 100DaysOfCode challenge on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/100DaysOfCode?src=hash

I’m really happy I decided to do this. My coding style for HTML/CSS/JavaScript were way outdated. I’m pretty much a noob at JavaScript. I can fumble around and get it to do what I want when I need to. I’m far from fluent in it though. Anyway, the first thing I learned is just how dated my web design skills really were. I couldn’t believe how much the markup and code has changed over the last ten years.

So I’m on day 19 of my 100 Days Of Code. Basically, it’s a commitment to code at least 1 hour a day. For me, on most days, I’ve been spending at least a few hours a day on it. I was just going to spend the first couple weeks updating my knowledge of HTML/CSS but I’m learning so much I decided to dedicate the first 30 days to HTML/CSS then spend the remaining time hacking away at JavaScript till I’m somewhat fluent. I’m not new to this, and I know the only way to do this right is dedicate the time to it.

I love when you see Youtube videos with titles like, “Learn JavaScript in 1 Week”. Look, I don’t care who you are. That’s just not going to happen. There is no quick and easy way to learn to code. Frankly the quick and easy way to learn to code is actually really long. Simply sit down in front of your computer and start to code. Get stumped, research, code some more. Spend at least a few hours a day coding. That’s how you learn, and that’s how you get good. There are no shortcuts. Read, learn, code / wash, rinse, repeat! When you think you know all there is to know, it’s time to learn some more!

I think the second most important thing is stay up to date. I’ve been messing around with web design since the 90s. A lot has changed. I’ve rested on my knowledge of HTML since around 2005. A lot has changed. By staying up to date, we strengthen our confidence, and are able to give clients exactly what they pay for. A professional looking website, that loads on multiple devices with a modern up to date codebase.

First thing I’m doing after my 100 Days of Code is updating the outdated look of this website. So much new stuff happening. Can’t wait to share what I’m learning.

Getting Away From Google AdSense

I’m trying to De-Google my life. For some reason, I kept having problems with my AdSense showing up on the blog. Considering this is the highest traffic page on the site, that’s kind of important. I’ve been trying to get away from Gmail and google drive and a lot of their other products too. Tonight I had enough with AdSense and began looking for a new advertiser for my sites. I came across a site that offers low payouts and also bitcoin payments. Hopefully, the blog and website get approved, and I’ll post a review on them shortly.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Goals & Resolutions 2019

Getting focused on 2019! Setting goals and starting to work on some old projects. I’ve had this website for several years, and it’s always taken a back seat to all my other projects. That’s changing in 2019. I’ll be doing a lot of design work to this site, adding many offers and trying to finally get the business aspect of this site off the ground.

Blogging will be another big part of my 2019. I’m currently managing several different blogs. I’ll be posting about those and also blogging here regularly. I’ll be offering blogging services too, like setup, and design for anyone that might be considering a blog but isn’t sure on how to get started.

The content on this site will be centered around blogging, HTML, and graphic design, social media marketing, and working as an internet freelancer.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2019, and wishing you health, wealth, and prosperity in the new year.

June News.

June has arrived marking the end of spring and the beginning of summer. I can’t believe how fast May flew by. The month blew by so quickly I really didn’t even get a chance to post to this blog. BAD BLOGGER ! I’m a bit disappointed in myself.

welcome june summer arrives.

Welcome June. Created in Gimp 2.8. Image found on morguefile.com. Thank God summer is finally here !

I started a learn spanish blog as a side project and I was working on it so much that I didn’t realize how fast the time was going by last month. http://www.mi-palabra-del-dia.com/.

With that said I’m going to be posting here a lot more. Humm, have I said this before. I think so. O.K. seriously, I’m going to be adding content from some of my other blogs, posting youtube videos from some people I follow on youtube, and yes, I’m going to try and add some of my own original content as time permits.

Expect information on CSS , HTML, web design, graphics work, lots of stuff on Gimp and Inkscape, and I’ve been doing a lot of stuff with fonts so expect some font links and more.

Thanks for reading, have a happy and safe summer, and talk to ya all soon !