A Twisted Turn of Fortune.

By some crazy turn of events, I have become the web master for a potentially huge company. The problem is I am a print designer with 0 code knowledge of any kind. I am committed to educating myself but I need help finding the number one resources for the most practical language out there. Please suggest the language, resources, and reason for suggestion. This may include weblinks for tutorials, and contacts.

The owner and I are best of friends in case you are wondering how it happened?

Do you know HTML?

I am afraid not...I am originally a print designer with advertising sales experience. I started with the company as a sales person. Then through designing my own marketing materials showed potential in that area.
Our original site was design in Market Americas software which is extremely basic. So it was obvious I could do a better job than we had even with a learning curve and now here I am.

I have already made the mistake of using frames.
I am designing now with CoffeeCup html editor with out and HTML knowledge.

And by the grace of God I found Ulead Photo Impact XL.

I will probably uploading the new site tomorrow

Quickest way to understand the code you are using is here: http://www.w3schools.com Their tutes are fundamental and comprehensible.

First of all, this is not the place to solicit contract workers. Secondly, feedback on your site can be requtested in the Website Reviews forum ---> http://www.ozzu.com/forum39.html

It is best that you learn HTML. If nothing else, the basic mechanics of it. It isn't difficult and will only take a couple weeks to learn. You can continue using a WYSIWYG approach, but that will always limit you.

To learn HTML, you might start at http://www.w3schools.com/ . They will have basic tutorials and information to get you acquainted with things.

For exacting standards, you should refer to http://www.w3.org/ .


*edit //What ATNO said too.

Wow That is an awesome site (http://www.w3schools.com)
Thank you for the excellent start

Sorry about that...

After that, you have to ask yourself whether you want to broaden your horizons with further aesthetic/layout skills (CSS) or go in the direction of databasing/automating content (PHP/ASP/etc). In the end I'd recommend both
The site listed above has a section on CSS (cascading style sheets) if you're interested. (w3schools)

Personally, I'd recommend taking some of that cash you're getting from the "potentially multi-million dollar company" and invest it in a web designer that knows what he's doing.

However, if you're settled on doing it the hard way, I also recommend w3schools as I've used it dozens of times. HTML is a must, but eventually (as the other guy said) you'll want dynamic data with databases and the like. Since you're new to programming, I'd say to go with ColdFusion for two reasons. Number one, it is formatted identical to HTML so you won't have to learn tooo many new code rules. And number B, it integrates so nicely with many kinds of databases.

If they hire a web designer I am out of a job...

I am going to be posting the new design I did tomorrow probably.
I as soon as I do I will let everyone know and then you can critique my work with wysiwyg.

Thanks for the tip conserning cold fusion it is on my list. I am a fast learner and the company is having growing pains so my skill level shall be enough to get by as I grow with it.

Sounds good. One note as an FYI. We require that posts for reviews and opinions of your site be posted in the Reviews board. In order to post your site there, you must first give 3 quality reviews of others websites, which to date you have not done. Just wanted to give you a heads up on that since you're new here.

http://www.webmonkey.com

Hey! Good luck to ya! We'll be happy to help with any problems you run into.

I don't know which software you are planning to use, but as an html editor go for Dreamweaver MX 2004 ( you can download a free trial version)..

http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/

And find plenty of good tutorials

http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/dreamweaver/

Do you speak about: http://www.dsidisplays.com/ ?

Ovi

Ovi - what in the world has that got to do with this post?