HTML Writers Guild Newsletter Volume 6 Number 17, 11 September 2000 http://www.hwg.org/ mailto:editor@hwg.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Newsletter Sponsors: O'Reilly, TheShortList.com, OpenAir.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. Member-Submitted Tips: Cross Platform Compatibility 2. HWG Co-Sponsors Accessibility Symposium 3. August Town Hall: Thursday, September 28th 4. Upcoming Online Classes: Take an HWG Class! 5. HWG Events in Your Future: STC Pan-Pacific Conference 6. Why Did I Get This Email? And Other HWG-News FAQs (How to change your email address, how to unsubscribe, and more.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This issue of HWG-News is sponsored by: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- O'Reilly & Associates http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/html4/ Just released!! Our new HTML & XHTML: The Definitive Guide 4th Edition, combines a solid reference guide with examples and hands-on advice you can use to create beautiful, informative, and dynamic web documents. This book continues to be the most comprehensive and balanced HTML guide you can buy. Visit our web site and read a sample chapter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Member-Submitted Tips: Cross Platform Compatibility (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: Cross-platform compatibility Not everyone is lucky enough to have a PC, a Macintosh, and a Unix machine, each running multiple versions of the most popular browsers on thier desks. What are some of the pitfalls to avoid when designing web pages so that your pages look good in all environments? Well, we only got one tip this time. Not a very good showing, I'm afraid. 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 Vicki Riggins. [HWG-News Tip: Speeding up download time --------------------------] When using scripting languages, be sure to comment out code for those browsers that do not support it. If programming Active Server Pages, it is best to use JavaScript on the client side versus VBScript which is the default on the server side since recent versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape both support JavaScript. Frames should be avoided, as some browsers do not support frames. Most browsers (even character-based browsers such as Lynx) support tables; however, tables within tables should be avoided. Always put "alt" tags on image sources. [-------------- Submitted by Vicki Riggins ] If you have suggestions for upcoming HWG News Tip topics, you can send those to hwg-news-tips@hwg.org. We're going to take a break from tips in every issue, due to the lack of response recently, and will be moving to a monthly article. 2.  HWG Co-Sponsors Accessibility Symposium      (Kynn Bartlett, AWARE Center Director, aware@hwg.org) The HTML Writers Guild is proud to co-sponsor the Universal Web Accessibility Symposium 2000, to be held on October 31, 2000 in conjunction with the WebNet 2000 World Conference on the WWW and Internet in San Antonio, Texas.  Speakers will include the director of the Guild's Accessible Web Authoring Resources and Education (AWARE) Center. The Universal Web Accessibility Symposium will address the legal and technical requirements for universal accessibility to the Internet, and will explore the connections between access by aging adults (the fastest-growing demographic group using the Web) and physically challenged individuals.  Specific topics include:       * Resources to make information originators' job         responsibilities clearer regarding accessibility       * Legal mandates for universal accessibility       * Verification standards for web accessibility       * Web accommodation techniques for seniors and         physically challenged individuals Speakers will include Cynthia Waddell, ADA Coordinator for the City of San Jose (and AWARE Center advisory board member); Dinah Cowen, Director of the Department of Defense Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program;  LTC John Hill and LTC Curt Carver, Assistant Professors, West Point; Cyndi Rowland, Director of Web Accessibility In Mind (WebAIM), Utah State University; Kynn Bartlett, AWARE Center Director, HTML Writers Guild; and others! This Symposium is sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), Southwest Texas State University College of Health Professionals, the HTML Writers Guild, and the Institute for Quality Improvement in Long Term Health Care at Southwest Texas State University.  Mette Baker is the Program Coordinator, and Dr. Deanie French is the Program Chair. For more information on the Symposium, please see the following web sites:       http://www.awarecenter.org/uwas2000.html       http://www.swt.edu/~df12/accessiblity/symposium.htm In addition to the Universal Web Accessibility Symposium, the Guild is also represented at the WebNet 2000 conference by Frank Boumphrey, who will be presenting a workshop on XML.  For details on WebNet 2000, please see:       http://www.aace.org/conf/webnet/ Questions and inquiries can be directed to Kynn Bartlett at kynn@hwg.org, or to Dr. Deanie French, Program Chair, at elearn@Deanie.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This issue of HWG-News is sponsored by: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TheShortList.com http://www.theshortlist.com TheShortList.com has webvolutionized e-recruitment by eliminating the need to search through job postings and talk to headhunters.  Our free on-line resume service will save you hours of time as we provide direct contact with Dotcoms, Systems Integrators, Digital Media Houses and Corporate End Users providing opportunities that suit your needs.  Your e-career path just got shorter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. August Town Hall: Thursday, August 24th (Frank Boumphrey, VP of Special Events, vp-events@hwg.org) Note: Last issue we said that the Town Hall meeting would be the 31st. It is not the 31st, but the 24th of the month. We are sorry for any confusion this might have caused. 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: 24 August Town Hall Meeting Date: Thursday, 24 August 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. 4. 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: Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro Dates: September 18, 2000 - October 29, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/g201.8.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. Introduction to Cascading Style Sheets Dates: September 18, 2000 - October 29, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/h151.12.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! Implementing Java Applets in your Web Pages Dates: September 18, 2000 - October 15, 2000 (4 weeks) Tuition: $25 Full members, $50 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/h171.5.html Designed for the beginning student with some knowledge of creating HTML files by hand or with a WYSIWYG editing tool. This class will show you where to go to get applets for your pages, and how to customize them using parameters. This is NOT a programming class! Applets will range from simple 'ticker style' text applets, to animations, and to Java games. Introduction to HTML 4.0 Dates: September 25, 2000 - November 5, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/h101.20.html Leave your WYSIWYG editor behind and explore the nuts and bolts that make web pages function! Macromedia Flash Wizardry,A Master's Course Dates: October 3, 2000 - Novemebr 12, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $120 Full members, $150 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/a222.2.html Take your Flash skills to the next level! This class takes you beyond the basics and into the lesser known aspects of Flash. NOTE: Completion of A131 (Using Macromedia Dreamweaver) is a required pre-requisite for this class. Using Macromedia Dreamweaver - Part I Dates: August 28, 2000 - September 24, 2000 (4 weeks) Tuition: $25 Full members, $50 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/a131.7.html Designed for the student who wishes to evaluate the Macromedia Dreamweaver 3.0 web design tool. The publicly available 30 day trial version will be available for students to use for this 4 week intensive course. Topics will include: layout and visual design, tools for creating tables, frames, and forms, implementing style sheets, and adding javascript or behaviors. New features in version 3.0 not mentioned in the current text as they pertain to these topics will also be covered. Intermediate JavaScript Dates: October 9, 2000 - November 19, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $80 Full members, $110 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/p152.2.html Increase your JavaScript knowledge! In-depth instruction on form manipulation and syntax, plus weekly tips on creating your own interactive on-line order form! NOTE: Completion of P151 (Introduction to JavaScript) is a required pre-requisite for this class! Introduction to JavaScript Dates: October 9, 2000 - November 19, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $40 Full members, $70 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/p151.11.html The JavaScript language allows you to add interactivity to your web pages -- this course will teach you the basics of programming in JavaScript for multiple browser types. Sites that Sizzle: Web Animation with Macromedia Flash 4 Dates: October 16, 2000 - Novemebr 26, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $60 Full members, $90 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/a221.7.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. ASP Databases for the Web (New Course!) Dates: October 23, 2000 - December 3, 2000 (6 weeks) Tuition: $80 Full members, $110 Trial members Details: http://www.hwg.org/services/classes/ms221.1.html The first of a three-part series on using ASP with Databases on the Web. At the end of the course students should have an understanding of how to access a database through the Web, and how to read, modify, and update this database using HTML forms and ASP. NOTE: Completion of both MS101 (ASP for Non-Programmers) and MS102 ( Programming with ASP) are required pre-requisites for this class. 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/ 5. 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/ Chris Higgs will be giving a talk on XML. If you are attending this event, please stop by and introduce yourself to our HWG representatives, we'd love to meet you! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This issue of HWG-News is sponsored by: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- OpenAir.com http://www.openair.com/HWG1 Need to manage your projects? Use the OpenAir online Professional Services Automation suite that includes project management, time sheets, expense reports, proposal writing and client invoicing. OpenAir’s suite integrates with QuickBooks Pro® and is easily accessible thru your PDA via our Palm Computing® Platform. Join our 35,000 customers who have increased billings by 5% to 30%. Open your free account today. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. 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 (334) 928-4542. Discounts are available to Guild Business and Corporate members, as well as for multiple placements. The Guild's newsletter reaches over 119,000 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.