Tag: web development

Exploring CSS and Failing

Carl Setzer2 Comments
Failed Phineas CSS Project

Last quarter I dove into HTML and CSS. I have several years of experience with HTML, albeit basic. However, I had the most superficial understanding of CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). It was fun to dive deeper into this key element of website creation.

I only knew CSS as a way to centralize basic style elements (fonts, colors, etc). My mind was blown when I discovered all the other style pieces you could manage with CSS. I’ve now seen things you people can’t imagine (picture Roy from Bladed Runner).

Now I want to learn more! So, when a few days ago this tweet landed in my feed, I was stoked:

I followed Pratham’s guidance. Well, I tried, at least. After using all my free time, I created this:

Failed Phineas CSS Project
Failed Phineas CSS Project

I was a bit frustrated, but in the end, I’m still pretty pleased. A few months ago, I had no idea we can do this sort of thing. Now I’m diving in. And this is my first attempt. So, I have only upwards to go.

This link (to my github) takes you to the code I created. I’m sure many of you will easily spot errors. I’d love to hear them. I am trying to grow. That helps immensely.

Thanks for reading and commenting if you can.

Edit: I tried to embed the github info, but that didn’t work for some reason. Made it a direct link. 

WordPress vs Joomla

Carl Setzer1 Comment

This upcoming quarter I’ll be taking JavaScript, System Analysis, and a class on Joomla and SEO.  Funny, really, that I never heard of Joomla until seeing my degree plan, and was surprised by that. Thus, I opted to spend a little time learning more. I am trying to be a good student, after all.

My research pulled me to this, somewhat dated, article (2018): Joomla vs WordPress. Turns out Joomla is, essentially, a competitor of sorts with WordPress. Of sorts is important. Joomla has been around as long as WordPress but holds a fraction of their market share. This puzzles me since I’ve been hovering around web design and site creation for years. I’ve created many sites, mostly with WordPress, but I’ve also used HTML as well as tools like Netscape Navigator and FrontPage. So, I’m disappointed I’ve never even heard of Joomla (or Drupal, for that matter). Time to learn, I guess.

I do find it interesting that the class is working with Joomla, and not WordPress. For me, it’s cool to learn new (to me) tech. But with only 5% deployment, vs WordPress’s 60%, along with that 5% share decreasing, I still find it puzzling to focus on a tiny tool. I expect that this will become clearer as the quarter progresses.

Windows Programmer Calculator

Carl Setzer
Windows Programmer Calculator

It may be because I’m still pretty new at this whole programming/coding thing, but I was pretty stoked to discover this feature within the built-in calculator that comes with Windows 10 (it might be part of older versions of Windows. I just don’t know). I’ve built Excel sheets for these conversions to check my work. This is actually easier and less clunky. Sure, I can do these manually, and I’m getting better at doing so in my head, but it’s good to have the ability to check my work easily.

Along with this, a friend of mine let me know about HiPer Calculator for Android phones.  I look forward to trying it out. I downloaded the free version, but there is a “Pro” version for $3.49. I’ll see how the free one works. Trying to be frugal and all that.

Do you have any tools that you love and recommend to an up-and-coming developer? I’d really love to hear about them. Leave a comment!