New on websites

need some advice!

[xdcp]

I am a designer trying to learn how to make a website for the first time... i tried to start with a little of dreamweaver, or some small animation in flash but seems to me like i am forgetting to read about something more basic first! ...any help? :-)

[sem4u]

Macromedia has loads of helpful information on their website. I would start there.

[limbo]

seems to me like i am forgetting to read about something more basic first

Learn HTML, well! Nothing is as important IMO.

[tbear]

Gotta second limbo on that!
HTML is what makes the whole thing work and it's not so hard to learn at all.
Just about all of the other stuff is complimentary, decorative or not needed.
Oh yes, CSS is complimentary and very useful, also not hard to learn.
Poco á poco - little by little

[Shannon Moore]

How savvy are you on the Internet/World Wide Web in general? I'm a big proponent that you need to start with an understanding the "culture" of the Net and its various users -- eg. the live & breath the Net vs. those for whom the "Internet" really is just email.

Understand the social aspect, learn HTML and start fiddling. It's the best way to do it. Avoid bells and whistles until you've mastered the basics.

[contentmaster]

I agree...HTML is what will help you while designing your site either in Front page or dreamweaver...it is very important to be able to understand the code behind your page to make those small changes or remove some nagging errors!

I have seen a lot of css styles used on a number of web pages as well....as of now i only know how it helps to set styles and consistency amonng your page elements....any tips on where to start learning css?

beginner level!

[sem4u]

....any tips on where to start learning css?

Try the CSS forum here. Absolutely loads of useful information. Check the library posts.

[limbo]

Here [webmasterworld.com] & Here [webmasterworld.com]

<edit>
sem4u - likewise ;)
</edit>

[justgowithit]

or some small animation in flash but seems to me like i am forgetting to read about something more basic first!

Welcome to Webmaster World XDCP!

Don't waste your time with Flash. These guys/girls are spot on. Learn the web, learn HTML, and don't make the same mistake I did when I began designing/coding years back....

As I learned how to create complicated graphics, page effects, FLASH, javascript elements, etc., etc. I wanted to pack all of this fancy nonsense into ever page that I designed.

Experience has since taught me that keeping it simple, user-friendly, and content-rich is the key to great web design!

[contentmaster]

Bang On! I could'nt agree more!

[xdcp]

Thanks to all!

great advice!

seems to me now that i am farther away from my target than i thought...

HTML.... :-) i got the idea!

Shannon Moore: How savvy are you on the Internet/World Wide Web in general?

I am not sure what you are asking me? maybe can you tell me what you meen by "culture of the net"...?

[Shannon Moore]

xdcp, I was referring to your overall knowledge of the Internet -- its history and rapid evolution and changing demographics (from strictly GEEKS to a wide cross-section of society, particularly in industrialized nations), etc.

Another way to phrase what I was trying to say was how long have you been online? If you're relatively new to the Internet (less than 5-7 years actively online), a book on "Net culture" might be useful. If you're pressed for time, though, what really matters is getting a good feel for the userbase -- the types of people you'll be designing websites for (the people who will visit the sites, as well as whomever's paying for the sites to be build & maintained). In other words, know your audience and that will help dictate your designs and style.