Getting started with web development

Laurenes · 02-17-2015, 04:08 AM

Hi everyone

I only got my Kindle two weeks ago and I'm still very new here, so I hope this question is not out of place. I want to teach myself the basics of web development but don't really know where to start. I have an idea for a blogging website that I would like to create but I'm not sure if programming my own site with HTML and CSS or just using a CMS like WordPress would be the better option to get started.

In the field that I am working in, having an own website and know the basics of web development is a big advantage, so that is another reason why I want to get started. So maybe you can help me out with a few questions:

For a starters, is it better to get started with a CMS like WordPress or even a WYSIWYG or would it be better to built the complete website in HTML/CSS?
Are there some good books or online resources that you can recommend on WordPress and HTML/CSS?
What should I look for in a webhosting provider?

Still have quite a few questions and I'm a bit confused where to start

I don't want to spend a lot of money on classes right now, but would rather like to teach myself the basics by building this blog that I have in mind.

Maybe you can give me some hinters on the best way to get started

Best
Lauren

PeterT · 02-18-2015, 12:34 PM

Why not go with Wordpress (ideally on your OWN website; not at Wordpress.com) and then learn how to customize it; create your own themes / mods etc, and use that as a learning experience.

best_2015 · 02-18-2015, 01:01 PM

You can use any book to learn web programming languages like "Learning PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS & HTML5" or "HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites" or any other book. When you clear your concepts in HTML, CSS and PHP, you will be ready for any kind of web development after going through CMS documentations and some researching (I would like to go with mainly wordpress, joomla or drupal).

The advantage of having a website built with CMS is that you will have a really comfortable management of your website and adding features becomes easy as compared to non-CMS websites.

When you look for a web hosting provider, look for reputed companies with faster servers and high uptime. I currently use Hostgator. I recommend Hostgator and Bluehost as hosting providers.

Good Luck!

kindlekitten · 02-18-2015, 01:20 PM

I hope we don't become the programming corner of mobile read

Laurenes · 02-19-2015, 03:34 AM

Thanks for the replies

@best_2015: You are right, I think the hardest part is getting started, because I feel that there are so many small pieces to the website puzzle. I'm currently looking for a WordPress blog hosting package on 1&1, which was recommended to me. WordPress seems like the best and easiest way to get started. I also got the Kindle Version of "WordPress in a week" by Zak Cagaros, which has good reviews on Amazon. After WordPress I will go on to learn HTML and CSS and maybe even a programming language.

Btw do you usually register your domain with the same company that also provides you with webhosting or is it better to separate the two? I'm guessing doing everything with the same company is easier and more convenient right?

best_2015 · 02-20-2015, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurenes

Thanks for the replies

@best_2015: You are right, I think the hardest part is getting started, because I feel that there are so many small pieces to the website puzzle. I'm currently looking for a WordPress blog hosting package on 1&1, which was recommended to me. WordPress seems like the best and easiest way to get started. I also got the Kindle Version of "WordPress in a week" by Zak Cagaros, which has good reviews on Amazon. After WordPress I will go on to learn HTML and CSS and maybe even a programming language.

Btw do you usually register your domain with the same company that also provides you with webhosting or is it better to separate the two? I'm guessing doing everything with the same company is easier and more convenient right?

Oh yes, 1and1 is a good choice....and I have seen good reviews for the "Wordpress in a week" book, too. Good luck

rollei · 02-20-2015, 10:32 PM

If you don't have any web development skills, start with WordPress. Once you are familiar with WordPress and find WordPress restrictive, then start on HTML/CSS.

A good resource with visual guide on HTML and CSS is:

HTML and CSS: Visual QuickStart Guide (8th Edition)
By Elizabeth Castro and Bruce Hyslop
Publisher: Peachpit Press

eschwartz · 02-22-2015, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I hope we don't become the programming corner of mobile read

We are the random-things-corner, and this would not be the first time that programming threads manifested...

Unless there is an overabundance of programming-themed threads, I would advise not getting too upset, and I in turn will avoid getting upset every time cats are mentioned in the Lounge.

We can all be happy...

doubleshuffle · 02-22-2015, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

and I in turn will avoid getting upset every time cats are mentioned in the Lounge.

If you get upset at the mention of cats, why are you even on the Internet?

PeterT · 02-22-2015, 08:53 AM

I wonder if as a first web site you might like to display cute pictures of cats with pithy sayings on them....

eschwartz · 02-22-2015, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

If you get upset at the mention of cats, why are you even on the Internet?

Touché.

Ah but that is the point -- I don't. Much the way I expect my own foibles to fail to elicit mass outrage.

02-17-2015, 04:08 AM	#1
Laurenes Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 215940 Join Date: Feb 2015 Device: Kindle	Getting started with web development Hi everyone I only got my Kindle two weeks ago and I'm still very new here, so I hope this question is not out of place. I want to teach myself the basics of web development but don't really know where to start. I have an idea for a blogging website that I would like to create but I'm not sure if programming my own site with HTML and CSS or just using a CMS like WordPress would be the better option to get started. In the field that I am working in, having an own website and know the basics of web development is a big advantage, so that is another reason why I want to get started. So maybe you can help me out with a few questions: For a starters, is it better to get started with a CMS like WordPress or even a WYSIWYG or would it be better to built the complete website in HTML/CSS? Are there some good books or online resources that you can recommend on WordPress and HTML/CSS? What should I look for in a webhosting provider? Still have quite a few questions and I'm a bit confused where to start I don't want to spend a lot of money on classes right now, but would rather like to teach myself the basics by building this blog that I have in mind. Maybe you can give me some hinters on the best way to get started Best Lauren

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02-18-2015, 12:34 PM	#2
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,271 Karma: 78869092 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Why not go with Wordpress (ideally on your OWN website; not at Wordpress.com) and then learn how to customize it; create your own themes / mods etc, and use that as a learning experience.

02-18-2015, 01:01 PM	#3
best_2015 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: US Device: Amazon Kindle Fire HD	You can use any book to learn web programming languages like "Learning PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS & HTML5" or "HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites" or any other book. When you clear your concepts in HTML, CSS and PHP, you will be ready for any kind of web development after going through CMS documentations and some researching (I would like to go with mainly wordpress, joomla or drupal). The advantage of having a website built with CMS is that you will have a really comfortable management of your website and adding features becomes easy as compared to non-CMS websites. When you look for a web hosting provider, look for reputed companies with faster servers and high uptime. I currently use Hostgator. I recommend Hostgator and Bluehost as hosting providers. Good Luck!

02-18-2015, 01:20 PM	#4
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	I hope we don't become the programming corner of mobile read

02-19-2015, 03:34 AM	#5
Laurenes Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 215940 Join Date: Feb 2015 Device: Kindle	Thanks for the replies @best_2015: You are right, I think the hardest part is getting started, because I feel that there are so many small pieces to the website puzzle. I'm currently looking for a WordPress blog hosting package on 1&1, which was recommended to me. WordPress seems like the best and easiest way to get started. I also got the Kindle Version of "WordPress in a week" by Zak Cagaros, which has good reviews on Amazon. After WordPress I will go on to learn HTML and CSS and maybe even a programming language. Btw do you usually register your domain with the same company that also provides you with webhosting or is it better to separate the two? I'm guessing doing everything with the same company is easier and more convenient right?

02-20-2015, 10:32 PM	#7
rollei Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 1000210 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	If you don't have any web development skills, start with WordPress. Once you are familiar with WordPress and find WordPress restrictive, then start on HTML/CSS. A good resource with visual guide on HTML and CSS is: HTML and CSS: Visual QuickStart Guide (8th Edition) By Elizabeth Castro and Bruce Hyslop Publisher: Peachpit Press

02-22-2015, 08:53 AM	#10
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,271 Karma: 78869092 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I wonder if as a first web site you might like to display cute pictures of cats with pithy sayings on them....

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