FontTester

So the website http://www.fonttester.com is super excellent. It has three columns of text that you can format differently using the tools on the left side of the screen, which allow you to use different CSS properties and adjust the corresponding values in order to typographically format your text. You can then just copy the CSS that it writes for you.

Excellent!

Thanks, Mr. Gaussian, wherever you are.

With love from NatalieDee.

CurvyCorners

So I just found the website http://www.curvycorners.net/, which provides javascript that makes rounded corners in CSS. I read that rounded corners were supposed to be included in CSS 3 [at the w3c website], but they ultimately decided not to include it. CSS4 better have it. Why is it so complicated to get rounded corners??

In class: final thoughts

The most beneficial assignment for me was an in-class assignment before module four where we had to create three different pages using the same (X)HTML and create three different style sheets.

I created these:

• Sample One
• Sample Two
• Sample Three

The assignment allowed me to research explore different selectors and properties in CSS, and see the resultant effects of each line of code. I didn't know anything about CSS before this class,
and this mini-assignment really helped me learn quickly how to use style sheets and how effective CSS can be.

The purpose of a web author is to create and maintain a site that effectively conveys the content, message, and sentiment that the client wants the site to convey. I would say that the duties of a web author include:

• Branding
• Graphic creation
• Marketing
• Timely updates
• Making sure that the website is entirely functional at all times, in all [most ;)] browsers [curse you, backwards compatibility!]
• Coding
• Proof-reading content (including images, layout, and text)
  

Excellent branding: Sophistimom

A friend of mine sent me a site via StumbleUpon, and I couldn't help but notice the excellently well-defined branding. The site, Sophistimom.com, uses lots of white space and the colors white, light blue, and light maroon. The vertical background, ornate header font, leaf logo, and "S" favicon add to the defined personality of Sophistimom. The Sophistimom blogs about gourmet recipes and includes photos of the excellent presentation. The site effectively conveys an air of sophistication, classiness, and professionalism, but maintains the mom's personality.

Facebook addiction

We've all joked about being addicted to Facebook, but in this article I read, this woman really is a Facebook addict. Spending up to 20 hours a day on facebook has caused her relationship with her daughter and family to suffer. [20 hours a day leaves her only four hours to... sleep? Work? How does she survive?] Although at least half of the time she spends on Facebook has to do with her work, she no longer has time to help her family with anything. Facebook addictions can be a sign of social dysfunction, as those addicted are living in a false reality.

Yikes.

[Article from CNNHealth.com]

The story of the Twitter logo

The ubiquitous Twitter image depicting a white bird, brown coiling branch and pale blue "weathered" background was created by Simon Oxley. It was purchased by Twitter for only six dollars! Twitter is the 84th most popular site on the worldwide web, as measured by hits. You would think Oxley would want a little more for the graphic than he's gotten. At first, Oxley asked for the site to credit him for his the symbol. However, Twitter has not yet credited him for his work. I'd be more than a little mad.

[Article from Wired]