HTML Writers Guild Newsletter
Volume 5, Number 12, 13 July 1999
http://www.hwg.org/
editor@hwg.org
Table of Contents
1. Guild Breaks the 100,000 Member Mark!
- Meet the 100,000th HWGer, Stephen Grady
2. Summer School with the HWG! Open Courses for Summer 1999
- NEW: Practical Web Management: Creating an Effective Web Site
- Using Macromedia Dreamweaver
- Introduction to Cascading Style Sheets
- Designing for Universal Accessibility with HTML 4.0
- Business Writing Basics
- Introduction to HTML 4.0
- Active Server Pages for Non-Programmers
- Introduction to JavaScript
- Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro
3. Looking For a Job? Looking to Hire? HWG-Jobs is Your Solution!
4. Is Your HWG Profile Up-To-Date?
5. This Month's Town Hall Meeting is Thursday, 22 July 1999
6. How'd I Get On This List? The HWG-News FAQ
This issue of HWG-News is sponsored by:
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1. Guild Breaks the 100,000 Member Mark!
(Kynn Bartlett, Guild President, kynn@hwg.org)
The HTML Writers Guild is pleased to announce that on July 4, 1999,
we officially became the world's first association of web designers
to reach 6 digit membership totals, passing the 100,000 member
mark when Stephen Grady of Arkansas joined the Guild.
"This is an important milestone in the growth of the Guild since it
shows how far we've come since the beginning," stated Kynn Bartlett,
President of the HTML Writers Guild. "In 1994, the Guild was a small
group of a dozen web designers who got together on a single mailing
list to share their experience. We've continued that tradition of
knowledge exchange but now we have so many more Guild members'
experience to draw upon!"
The Guild was founded on that spirit of cooperation and sharing, as
a virtual "place" where members can learn from each other and work
together to improve their skills in the craft of web design. Are
you taking full advantage of your HWG membership? Let's look at
some of the Guild's current activities:
MAILING LISTS
We've never lost our "roots" as a forum for free exchange of advice
and knowledge; the Guild's mailing lists are recognized as some of
the best web design discussions on the net! In response to member
requests, we offer 2 general discussion lists, 12 specific topic
discussion lists, and 3 announcement lists -- including the HWG-Jobs
list, profiled later in this newsletter.
Specific topic lists cover the full range of web design experience,
including theory, programming, standards, graphics, software, server
administration, and business issues related to running a web
design company.
Do you need a final "check" on your website before it goes live?
Submit the address to HWG-Critique and the extra sets of eyes will
help spot ways you can improve your latest site!
Mailing Lists: http://www.hwg.org/lists/mailinglists.html
HWG-Critique: http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-critique/
ONLINE CLASSES
Launched last year, the online education program has already
proven to be one of the most popular Guild programs. Why? Because
we offer affordable, convenient classes taught by working professionals
in your field who provide high quality educational experience and
pass along what they've learned in the "real world" -- the core
concept of the Guild!
The classes are provided via a web-based interface and are structured
so that you can set your own schedule within each week of the six (or
four, or eight) week course. This allows you maximum flexibility in
determining your own learning schedule, so that you can get the
most out of the Guild's online courses.
Subjects range from basic HTML to Perl and Javascript programming;
from graphical design to ASP for non-programmers; from Macromedia's
Dreamweaver to writing text for business.
Considering a course? Try the D201: Designing for Accessibility class,
which provides a solid background in creating web sites that can
be used by anyone, regardless of disability, browser, or computer
type! This course is a good introduction to many of the issues
facing the web designers of the 21st century.
Online Education: http://www.hwg.org/classes/
D201 Course: http://www.hwg.org/classes/d201.6.html
RESOURCES, FAQS, AND ARCHIVES
The Guild's website is home to both a number of local documents such
as FAQs and white papers, as well as an extensive set of links to
essential web design resources around the web. If you haven't been
to the HWG's new searchable resources center, be sure to check it
out today! If your favorite site isn't listed, add it now! Like
the rest of the Guild, the resources database is run on member
experience and shared know-how!
Also, the Guild's mailing list archives are an invaluable treasure
trove of web design knowledge -- if you've got a question, there's a
good chance someone else had the same question sometime before, and
a quick search of the mailing list archives may turn up exactly the
answers you need!
Resources Center: http://www.hwg.org/resources/
List Archives: http://www.hwg.org/lists/archives.html
THE AWARE CENTER
One special resource center at the HTML Writers Guild is the
Accessible Web Authoring Resources and Education (AWARE) Center.
Founded in April of this year as part of our annual "Web
Accessibility Month", the AWARE Center provides online educational
resources and links that can help you learn more about creating
web sites for disabled users and others.
The AWARE Center has recently opened an Assistive Web Technology
Laboratory adjacent to the Guild's offices in Southern California;
this is available to ANY Guild member by appointment to try out and
learn more about the special technologies used by people with
disabilities to access the web. If you're in the area, why not
find out how your web page sounds to someone who can't see?
AWARE Center: http://aware.hwg.org/
AWT Lab: http://aware.hwg.org/awtlab/
PARTICIPATION IN THE W3C
The HTML Writers Guild plays a unique role in the World Wide Web
Consortium -- as the only organization of web designers to join the
W3C, the Guild represents the views of the "front line" web author --
meaning YOU.
Since joining the Consortium in January 1998, Guild representatives
have played important roles in setting the standards for the future
of the web, including the XHTML working group and the Web Accessibility
Initiative. We continue to work with the W3C to meet the Guild's
stated goal of "contributing to the development of the web and web
technical standards."
Would you like to get involved? Full members of the Guild are
invited to join the HWG-Plus-W3C mailing list and provide feedback
and commentary on specific issues as they arise -- your input is
crucial to our job of representing your interests in the W3C!
W3C/HWG Info: http://www.hwg.org/opcenter/w3c/
HWG-Plus-W3C List: http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-plus-w3c/
SUPPORT THE GUILD THROUGH FULL MEMBERSHIP
The Guild's projects and services rely on your support through Full
membership dues. If you have found value in what the Guild does
and what we stand for, we ask you to consider upgrading from Trial
to Full membership today! (If you've already done so, thank you
for supporting the HWG's activities!)
Membership in the Guild implies a desire to see the Guild's activities
continue -- to support the idea of improving our skills by sharing
our experience. Full membership in the Guild is probably the best
$40 you'll ever spend as a web designer. It's less than the price of
many HTML books, and with a book, you only get access to one or two
other web designer's experiences. The HWG has more than 100,000
members world-wide in 130 countries!
For information on upgrading your membership, please see:
Upgrade to Full: http://www.hwg.org/member/profile.html#upgrade
MEET THE 100,000th HWGer, STEPHEN GRADY
On July 4, 1999, the Guild passed a major membership milestone when
Stephen Grady, a 21 year old college student become the 100,000th
member of the HWG.
Stephen attends Arkansas Tech University (http://www.atu.edu/) and
majors in music education; he's been "playing around with HTML" for
about a year. He got started authoring web pages because of "the
appeal of getting some sort of personal expression out for the
world to see."
In additional to studying and working on his personal pages, Stephen
enjoys playing the trombone in the ATU band and is an amateur
photographer. His favorite sites include a photography site and a
software site:
"I believe the greatest site on the Internet to be photo.net," stated
Stephen. "It is the home to a wealth of information and ideas on web
publishing. All this in a web site designed for compatability,
quick loading, visual interest, and ease of use. Who could ask
for more? I am also partial to tucows.com because I love to test out
software."
Why join the HWG? "Well, my HTML skills are very rudimentary right
now," explains Stephen. "I was looking for a place where I might
get a few tips. The main thing I need to work on is forms and
javascript."
Like many other members of the Guild, Stephen found the HWG by following
a link from one member's page to the Guild site. "[The Guild] seems
to be fairly active, which I like, and there is much exchange of
good information," Stephen says. "Also I think that the web site is
very well organized."
Stephen's plans for the future include creation of an online resource
for symphonic band literature. On behalf of the Governing Board of
the HTML Writers Guild, we wish him the best of luck of with his
education and web authoring goals, and thank him for his role in
helping us reach the 100,000 member mark!
2. Summer School with the HWG! Open Courses for Summer 1999
(Ann Navarro, Online Education Director, classes@hwg.org)
If you think summer school is boring, think again! The HWG Online
Education program has a plethora of courses still open for enrollment
this summer that will help you enhance your skills or learn new web
techniques!
This newsletter's featured course is a brand new course taught by
our Guild President, Kynn Bartlett.
W201: PRACTICAL WEB MANAGEMENT: CREATING AN EFFECTIVE WEB SITE
Dates: August 16, 1999 - September 24, 1999 (6 weeks)
Practical Web Management: Creating an Effective Web Site takes you
beyond the tags and graphics that make up a web site, and gets you
focused on planning for your site's success: learn about strategic
planning, navigation, interactivity, site architecure,
personalization, usability testing, and more! Join Kynn and your
fellow HWG members on August 16 for the beginning of this exciting
new course.
Pre-Requisites:
Familiarity with a variety of web technologies is recommended.
Specific experience with creating complete web sites is recommended,
but not required. Each student will develop the foundation plans for
a web site as part of this course; while a hypothetical site may be
used. theis course is aimed at web managers who have a site (or
sub-site) to create or redesign.
Course Fees:
$50 for Trial members, $25 for Full members, $5 additional for
completion certificate; course textbook NOT included.
Enroll Now:
http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/w201.1.html
Other courses open for enrollment over the next 45 days include:
Using Macromedia Dreamweaver
Dates: July 19, 1999 - August 13, 1999 (4 weeks)
Introduction to Cascading Style Sheets
Dates: July 26, 1999 - September 3, 1999 (6 weeks)
Designing for Universal Accessibility with HTML 4.0
Dates: August 2, 1999 - September 12, 1999 (6 weeks)
Business Writing Basics
Dates: August 9, 1999 - October 1, 1999 (8 weeks)
Introduction to HTML 4.0
Dates: August 16, 1999 - September 24, 1999 (6 weeks)
Active Server Pages for Non-Programmers
Dates: September 6, 1999 - October 15, 1999 (6 weeks)
Introduction to JavaScript
Dates: September 6, 1999 - October 15, 1999 (6 weeks)
Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro
Dates: September 6, 1999 - October 15, 1999 (6 weeks)
COURSE FEES
For all courses, Full and Discounted members may register for $25,
Trial members for $50. 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. 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/
Make the most of your summer -- enroll in an online course today!
3. Looking For a Job? Looking to Hire? HWG-Jobs is Your Solution!
(Judith C. Kallos, HWG-Jobs List Guide, lg-jobs@hwg.org)
To meet the needs of our membership, the HTML Writers Guild provides
a moderated mailing list for announcing job openings. The list is a
resource and information channel for our membership; all HWG members
are welcome to subscribe. Anyone (Guild member or non-member) can
submit a job listing for review and posting by the HWG-Jobs List
Guides.
Here's what's been said by some companies who have recently posted
their job openings to HWG-Jobs:
"I have already gotten terrific response. I feel like a desperate
recruiter who hit the HTMLer jack pot!"
"Thank you for posting our position. We filled it with a
programmer from a regional ISP with local offices."
"A great service for me; I got responses; I used some of the
freelancers. Keep it going!"
"I've posted twice. I'm a HUGE fan of this list! It's a
tremendous resource."
The Abridged HWG-Jobs FAQ:
Q: What can be advertised on HWG-Jobs?
A: Only job opportunities (contract, full-time, part-time, volunteer)
related to the development and maintenance of a website. This
includes, but is not limited to, content development, page and
site design, graphic artwork, programming, and website maintenance.
Q: What should a job advertisement contain?
A: The ideal situation is to compose a brief message, with a URL link
to company information (if appropriate) and clearly list a contact
address. Including "hype" would be considered advertising so keep
the company info short and to the point or use a pointer.
Q: To what extent is the HWG responsible for the positions advertised?
A: HWG-Jobs is a service for members to be notified of job
opportunities. The HTML Writers Guild is not in any way responsible
or liable for the positions advertised.
For subscription information, FAQ, and more, please see the following:
http://www.hwg.org/lists/hwg-jobs/
Questions regarding the HWG-Jobs list can be directed to the HWG-Jobs
List Guides at:
mailto:lg-jobs@hwg.org
4. Is Your HWG Profile Up-To-Date?
(Mike McGhan, Database Administrator, dbadmin@hwg.org)
Your record in our database is the only connection we have to you,
so make sure that we don't lose touch! If your email address or
postal mail address changes, remember to update your Guild information!
If you are signing up for an online course, it is very important
that your profile be accurate, as this is how we send the class
enrollment information and your completion certificate.
In fact, you may want to check it out now to confirm that your
information is current. To do this, edit your profile at:
http://db.hwg.org/cgi-bin/member/edit_profile
If you don't remember your password or member id, please write to:
mailto:lost-password@hwg.org
Please include as much information as you can, including your full
name, any email addresses you may have used since joining the Guild,
and your member id if you know it.
5. This Month's Town Hall Meeting is Thursday, 22 July 1999
(Leanne Phillips, HWG Secretary, secretary@hwg.org)
Each month, the Guild provides an opportunity for real-time discussion
and chatting via HWG Interactive. These monthly meetings are hosted by
members of the Governing Board (with most of them in attendance),
and give our members the chance to voice your views about the HWG.
The details for July's meeting are:
22 July Town Hall Meeting
Date: Thursday, 22 July 1999
Time: 6:30 p.m. PDT, 9:30 p.m. EDT, 01:30 (23 July) GMT
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.
We look forward to meeting you there!
6. How'd I Get On This List? The HWG-News FAQ
(HWG-News Newsletter Editor, editor@hwg.org)
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?
A. The newsletter is the Guild's administrative bulletin to the
membership. 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: 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 (714) 526-4963. Discounts are available
to Guild Business and Corporate members, as well as for multiple
placements. The Guild's newsletter reaches over 100,000 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 1999, HTML Writers Guild, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Published monthly via email and WWW.