a giant leap

[JWJ]

In the words of Neil Armstrong, that was one small step for coders .... one giant leap for me ... or something like that

I have created my first web page that uses style sheets and php to include a standard header/menu file. Not only does it work but, after a little bit of fiddling (and asking a few dumb questions here ) it actually validates. Though I don't want to be ruled by W3C validation, I am displaying the logo just because I can.

I'm not sure how far I'm going to take this though. I have found working with css and php extremely difficult due to the lack of a Preview option. I have found a method of working in html and saving as php for uploading to be a possible solution but it is so much more fiddley than just working in html itself. Still, having done one I shall do another and see if it gets easier.

To all of you who have contributed to this amazing achievement, thank you for your help, patience and perseverance.

[The Gent]

Well it looks a lot nicer and cleaner though I would lose the background image and anti-aliase the Olde English script. With a border around that image and the background white I am sure it would look even nicer and your pictures would have more impact.

Re: W3 validation - don't you find that it gives you a warm feeling when you see that come through as clean?

[faze3]

Well done John. You've achieved something that I am highly unlikely to ever do! Keep going.
Alan.

[JWJ]

Originally Posted by The Gent

Re: W3 validation - don't you find that it gives you a warm feeling when you see that come through as clean?

More a sense of utter relief that one can finally get on with ones life .... or start on the next page

Originally Posted by Faze3

You've achieved something that I am highly unlikely to ever do! Keep going.

LOL ... and that's just what I was thinking the other day as I read your thread about random ads. Of course, this takes me back to your recent question about why all the fuss over coding. Bottom line is, whether we want to use pure code or not, there are some things that just can't be done in wysiwyg mode. All that you and I can do is be eternally grateful that members of this forum are so generous with their knowledge and their time. I like what you've done to your site by the way .... good job!!

[faze3]

All that you and I can do is be eternally grateful that members of this forum are so generous with their knowledge and their time

That's the understatement of the year
Alan.

[webado]

Congrats, John!

Now don't let the blasted w3c rule your life, hear me?

This is supposed to be fun and the site is supposed to look and feel and show as you intend it not as the w3c dictates.

That being said, yeah, you can get a rush and a kick out of managing to "pass" the w3c validation test AND maintain the look and feel you want.

[JWJ]

Now I'm really impressed .... not with myself but with coding languages. I have made a couple of very small tweaks to my newest php page and saved it (and the header/menu) as shtml pages. My shtml version also validates.

I like the simplicity of SSI because I can still work in wysiwyg mode with the major part of the design work, but I like the greater power of php (even though there's more to learn). Now I know why ignorance is bliss .... the more you learn the more decisions need to be made.

[webado]

LOL! You've done really good John!

Alan is next, as he's already dipped (or is it plunged? fallen?) into coding, a little tweak at a time - though he still thinks he's not gonna bother with THAT!

[JWJ]

Originally Posted by chrisooc

(or is it plunged? fallen?)

Neither .... either?. It is more like quicksand .... you step in to see what's involved and you get sucked under.

[faze3]

I think I'll stay as I am. I really appreciate the help available here but I'm afraid the success just doesn't make me think "I must get onto the next page and learn how to code that" - just no interest.
I always remember when I bought the very first ZX81 (with stick-on keyboard and 16kb memory pack!) - I was always fascinated by the fact that if you played a tape for five minutes (well, 25 minutes 'cos it always crashed at the last minute) that this little maze game came up on the screen. Of course there were those around me that typed in all this "basic" stuff and were chuffed to bits when they made a little white dot go bouncing around the screen I suppose they grew up to be the Christinas and Jonras of this world!!!!
Alan.