HTML Writers Guild Newsletter Volume 6 Number 13, 10 July 2000 http://www.hwg.org/ mailto:editor@hwg.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Newsletter Sponsors: Atomz.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. Call for Volunteers: Teaching Assistants for JavaScript, Intro to HTML, DreamWeaver3 2. Member-Submitted Tips: Effective web navigation (Next Issue's Topic: Using frames successfully ) 3. Spotlight Class: Macromedia Flash Wizardry 4. July Town Hall: Thursday, July 27nd 5. Upcoming Online Classes: Take an online class! 6. HWG Events in Your Future: STC Pan-Pacific Conference 7. Why Did I Get This Email? And Other HWG-News FAQs (How to change your email address, how to unsubscribe, and more.) 1. Call for Volunteers: Teaching Assistants Needed! (Ann Navarro, Online Education Director, classes@hwg.org) Want to make a little extra money? Want to give something back to the Guild? Well, several teachers have found that they need new Teaching Assistants for their classes, so this is the perfect time for you to volunteer, and make a little cash! Teaching Assistants are needed currently for the following classes: Introduction to JavaScript Instructor: Marshall Jansen Contact: marshall@hwg.org Introduction to HTML Instructor: Ann Navarro Contact: ta@webgeek.com Introduction to Dreamweaver 3 Instructor: Ann Navarro Contact: ta@webgeek.com Teaching Assistants responsibilities include answering questions, grading assignments, and posting grades. This is a paid position, earning a set amount per student (amount depends on the class taught). Volunteers will be required to fill out paperwork for 1099 status contract work, and must be eligible for employment as a contractor for a US company. 2. Member-Submitted Tips: Effective web navigation (Marshall Jansen, HWG-News Editor, hwg-news-tips@hwg.org) The Guild's foundation is members helping members, sharing our expertise and knowledge to improve our skills in the craft of web design. Everyone has something to teach, and something to learn! In keeping with that spirit, the HWG-News Newsletter HWG-News features member-submitted "tips" in each issue, in the space between articles and announcements. What happens if your tip is selected? Each issue, the first-place winner will receive a free HWG t-shirt. Runner-up tips will be also listed in the HWG-News newsletter as space permits, and submissions will be posted on the HWG web site. The topic for this issue, as announced last issue, is: Effective web navigation It seems like everyone is trying to make new methods of site navigation. What are the best ways to make an easy to use, friendly, site navigation, and still 'stand out' from the crowd? An archive of old tips may be found at: http://www.hwg.org/opcenter/newsletter/tips/ Complete rules and information (including size limits) are also listed at the URL above -- please read it! This issue's winner was sent in by George Allen Spencern. [HWG-News Tip: Effective web navigation ---------------------------] Cruising a site should be enjoyable and not require a degree. Therefore, keep your visitor abreast of his/her location in relation to the structure of the site. When possible, have more than one way to reach most pages (section, etc.). Consistency is very important: colors, placement, font, etc. Require the visitor to scroll only when absolutely necessary (i.e., have side and top (and bottom links, too) when appropriate). Inform them where a link will take them. Yes, graphics are pretty, but do you really NEED a graphical navigation layout? Hope these help, they are some of the things I consider. [---------- Submitted by George Allen Spencern ] If you have suggestions for upcoming HWG News Tip topics, you can send those to hwg-news-tips@hwg.org as well. The category for the next newsletter is: Using frames successfully Many people consider frames to be the worst idea in the history of HTML, while others applaud the benefits they can provide. How can you utilize the power of frames while still keeping your site accessible, searchable, bookmarkable, and error-free? Send in your 5-8 line tips on using frames successfully to hwg-news-tips@hwg.org. 3. Spotlight Class: Macromedia Flash Wizardry (Ann Navarro, Online Education Director, classes@hwg.org) You Asked For It; HWG Delivers! So many of you asked us when we'd be offering a follow up to the popular Sites that Sizzle: Web Animation with Macromedia Flash 4 course, that we set right to work in developing it, and now it's here! We're proud to have Stephane and Damien back to present Macromedia Flash Wizardy: A Masters Course! Three sessions are available as follows: August 21 - September 29, 2000(6 weeks) http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/a222.1.html October 3 - November 10, 2000 (6 weeks) http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/a222.2.html November 27, 2000 - January 12, 2001 (6 weeks + 1 week off for seasonal observances)          http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/a222.3.html Class size is limited to just 40 students; your paid enrollment holds your seat in class so sign up now! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This issue of HWG-News is sponsored by: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ATOMZ.COM http://www.atomz.com/hwg ADD A POWERFUL SEARCH ENGINE TO YOUR WEBSITE. With Atomz.com Search you can quickly add a powerful search engine to any Web site with just a few lines of HTML and no additional hardware or software. You get a comprehensive set of features not found with other site search engines including: complete customization, multiple language support, and in-context display of results. Search results are fast and accurate and you can use Atomz.com Search for free if your site has less than 500 pages, with no required ad banners. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. July Town Hall: Thursday, July 27th (Frank Boumphrey, VP of Special Events, vp-events@hwg.org) Town Halls are informal affairs, where you can talk to the governing board, ask questions, and generally let you opinions be known in a more public forum than email. We hope to see you there! The details on the June town hall meeting are: 27 July Town Hall Meeting Date: Thursday, 27 July 2000 Time: 6:30 p.m. PST, 9:30 p.m. EST Server: HWG Interactive, http://interact.hwg.org/ IRC: irc.hwg.org, port 6667 Channel: #townhall To connect, either go to the URL above and use the Java-based client available via the web, or use your favorite IRC client and join channel #townhall. 5. Upcoming Online Classes: Take an online class! (Ann Navarro, Online Education Director, classes@hwg.org) Through a web-based interface, we offer a broad series of online classes designed to teach you the skills you need, in a way that fits your busy schedule. Our instructors are your fellow Guild members, chosen for their expertise in their field and their willingness to pass along their experience to you. Upcoming courses you can take include: Online classes currently open for enrollment include: Introduction to HTML 4.0 Dates: July 24, 2000 - September 3, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/h101.17.html Leave your WYSIWYG editor behind and explore the nuts and bolts that make web pages function! Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro Dates: July 24, 2000 - September 3, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/g201.7.html Release your inner artist! This graphics course will teach you to create your own stunning images for use on your website, using the Paint Shop Pro program. Designing for Universal Accessibility with HTML 4.0 Dates: July 24, 2000 - September 3, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/d201.10.html Can your web site be used by everyone, including people with disabilities, older browsers, and hand-held computers? If you're not sure, take this course; it could change the way you view the web Introduction to Cascading Style Sheets Dates: July 24, 2000 - September 3, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/h151.11.html Add a little style to your web design! This popular course covers CSS 1 and 2, which can enhance the appearance of any web page! You'll learn which CSS rules are -- and are not -- supported by the major browsers, and more! Sites that Sizzle: Web Animation with Macromedia Flash 4 Dates: July 31, 2000 - September 10, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $60 Full members, $90 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/a221.10.html This course covers the exciting world of Flash 4. You will learn to draw, create, import and manipulate vector objects, making them come to life in frame-by-frame animations and on multiple layers. Programming with Active Server Pages Dates: July 31, 2000 - September 10, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/ms102.2.html Part 2 of our exciting series on ASP programming! A continuation of Active Server Pages for Non-programmers (HWG online course MS101), students will take their existing scripting and ASP skills and begin to build more complex applications. COURSE FEES Course fees are based on membership level; Full members receive a discounted tuition price, while Trial members pay the standard price. Full membership is only $40 per year, so upgrade your membership before registering, and save money! Payments may be made online via secure transaction; all figures are in U.S. funds. A certificate of completion is available for an additional $5; the request needs to be made at the time of registration. A certificate can be requested after class is completed for $10. Textbooks (when required) are separate and may be purchased through the Guild's online bookstore, The Bookmark. Books should be purchased before the first week of class! In addition, students should have regular access to the web and the ability to post completed assignments on a public (non-Intranet) web server. Sign up today through our online enrollment forms or get more information at: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/ 6. HWG Events in Your Future: STC Pan-Pacific Conference (Frank Boumphrey, VP of Special Events, vp-events@hwg.org) As part of our ongoing Speakers Bureau program, we are pleased to present this list of upcoming industry events at which the Guild will be participating. More information can be found at our events page: http://www.hwg.org/opcenter/events/ * STC Pan-Pacific Conference Honolulu,Hawaii October 18-21, 2000 http://www.pan-pacific.org/ Ann Navarro and Frank Boumphrey will be giving talks on XML. If you are attending either of these events, please stop by and introduce yourself to our HWG representatives, we'd love to meet you! 7. Why Did I Get This Email? And Other HWG-News FAQs (HWG-News Newsletter Editor, editor@hwg.org) This newsletter was edited by Marshall Jansen . Some questions you may be asking: Q: Why did I get this mail? A: You received this newsletter because you are a member of the HTML Writers Guild. This message came from HWG-News, the Guild's mandatory mailing list for all members. If you need more information about HWG-News, please see the List Charter at: http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-news/index.html Q. Why doesn't this newsletter talk about web design or HTML more? A. The newsletter is the Guild's administrative bulletin to the membership; beyond the HWG News Tips, we don't include specific information on web creation. If you are interested in the topics of Web design and HTML, then you might want to subscribe to some of our discussion lists devoted to those topics. More information on the Guild's offering of discussion lists can be found at: http://www.hwg.org/lists/mailinglists.html Q. How can I find out more about Guild activities? A. The Guild has set up a one-way announcement list, HWG-Announce, that carries bulletins of day-to-day Guild business. For details on how to subscribe, please see: http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-announce/ Q: How do I unsubscribe from HWG-News? A: Since this is a required list in order to maintain your Guild membership, unsubscribing is the same as resigning from the HTML Writers Guild. If you have your Member ID and password, to resign your membership in the Guild and to unsubscribe to HWG-News, visit: http://www.hwg.org/member/resign.html Fill in the pertinent information, and submit it. If you don't have a Member ID, or have forgotten your password, send mail to: mailto:lost-password@hwg.org with a Subject of: Resign membership In the body of the message, provide the following information: * Your email address(es) * Your member ID if you have one. * The list of discussion lists you are on. Please remember that unsubscribing to HWG-News automatically resigns you from the Guild. If you have problems with unsubscribing, please contact the password support team for help. Q: How do I change my email address for Guild mailings? A: Full members can update their membership profile at any time by going to this page: http://www.hwg.org/member/profile.html. If you don't know your password, contact the password support team for help. Trial members can send email to to change their email address. Q: Can my company advertise in the Guild's newsletter? A: Yes; the Guild is offering sponsorship opportunities in HWG-News on a limited basis. If you are interested in advertising your web related product or service here, please send email to advertising@hwg.org or call (205) 422-4340. Discounts are available to Guild Business and Corporate members, as well as for multiple placements. The Guild's newsletter reaches over 117,000 web authors worldwide each month. (Note: The Guild does not make our member database available for third party use. We have a strong privacy policy and will not release our members' personal information; our mailing list is not for sale. Any questions regarding the Guild's advertising or privacy policies can be directed to advertising@hwg.org.) Q: What if I want to comment on this newsletter? A: The HWG-News Mailing List is a "Read-Only" list -- please do not try to reply to this message directly. If you wish to contact the editor of this newsletter, you may do so by sending email to editor@hwg.org. Each article begins with the contact information for the author as well. Copyright 2000, HTML Writers Guild, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Published twice monthly via email and WWW.