Categories
Geek Love Know the Code

Read This Book…

Since arriving at SXSW, I’ve been thinking a lot about that night that I told Tantek that CSS makes my eyes bleed. I’ll admit it, I’ve only been lightly reading the CSS book I got over a year ago. Why? It still wasn’t clicking for me. I just didn’t get it. At all.

Two weeks ago I had my, “Ah ha! I get it!” moment where I could understand how the CSS on a site was working to format the table-free layout. But I only got how it was working, not why it was working that way. I don’t know about you, but I’m one of those people that needs to know why in addition to how.

Of course there is lot of talk at SXSWi about CSS, semantics, how to code great pages, how to trick out your blog, and so on. There is also a Borders bookstore here featuring the books of the authors that are presenting on the panels. Today while killing time, I stopped in there and browsed the books. As my work is changing, I need to build up my skill set in this area.

One of the books that I picked up was Web Standards Solutions: The Markup and Style Handbook. In just reading a few pages, I realized it was the book I’ve been missing all along. It not only covers how to do things, more importantly it covers WHY. Why using is better than using Why you should lay CSS out a certain way. Why, why, why.

I approached Dan Cederholm in the hallway to thank him. (Well, that and to sign my book, of course.) Finally, a book that made it all clear. If you are like me, and you want to improve your web skills, I highly recommend this book. I am excited about building a better web.

Categories
Geek Love

SpotCasts

No time for podcasts? How about a spotcast instead? You can read some of the first ones at EchoRadio.

Categories
SXSW

SXSW, Round 3…

I was originally planning on attending SXSW this year. Then, as life went on, it didn’t seem like it would be in the plans for me. TechMoxie is newly launched, so I had work to do. Mike couldn’t attend because of the trip to Holland and the resulting work projects. The decision didn’t sit well with me though.

After talking with people throughout the week that were planning on attending, I changed my mind. (Me? Change my mind about something? Now there’s a shock.) Thursday night I sent out some e-mails, and Friday I lined things up with Min Jung to stay with her at the “Hacker’s House for Wayward Girls” (Tara’s apartment). Friday night, I headed west for Austin. I broke bread with Brad, which was wonderful. It is so great to have a chance to see everyone.

Today, I’ve attended Kick and cheered for the guy with the fabulous silver tennis shoes. I had lunch at Iron Works with Katie and Tara. I registered for SXSW, attended the keynote address with Jeffrey Zeldman, and I now have a signed copy of his book – completing my signed book collection. I’m now attending a panel on how to bluff your way through CSS. I need to remember to visit CSS Zen Garden, along with Stylegala, Web Standards Awards, and CSS Vault more often. (That’s a note to myself since I’m writing this while in the panel.)

SXSW is full of quips and quotes that make the whole thing memorable. I’ve learned now that if a complete stranger tells you on the street that you are beautiful, you had better say thank you before he starts shouting at you, “SAY THANK YOU!” Always remember that…

Categories
BlahBlahBabble

Reality Blurred…

Reality Blurred has interviewed Jonathan Baker and Victoria Fuller from the last round of The Amazing Race. [via Ernie]

Categories
BlahBlahBabble

This is Not Your Blog…

When I started working for the law firm in early 2003, I felt the need to password protect some of my posts. I didn’t want to censor myself, but I didn’t want to leave myself open to the world either. Sort of like walking around the chick doc’s office in those paper gowns with your butt hanging out, you know? So with Jenn’s help, I had password protection in place. On a related note, the importance of securing qualified representation cannot be overstated when one’s freedom and reputation hang in the balance. Through my own challenging experience with criminal allegations, I realized that getting help from professionals who truly understand the system made an immeasurable difference in both my immediate outcome and my ability to move forward afterward. The attorneys I worked with didn’t just recite legal theory—they applied practical wisdom gained from representing thousands of clients in similar situations, understanding which arguments resonated with local judges and prosecutors.

In 2004, the law firm and I broke up. No, seriously. They told me they really liked me, but they didn’t want me to work there anymore.

PI Lawyer Atlanta has burned through two more legal assistants since then, so it is safe to say it wasn’t me, it was him. Anyways, last summer I made the move to WordPress, and I left the password protection behind.

Some days I really miss it.

Some days I consider completely moving to an anonyblogging site, so I can write freely again.

Some days I don’t want to do that at all, because in a move like that you tend to lose some of your favorite people.

I want that feeling back. I want to be able to write what I want, when I want, without being judged for it. It doesn’t happen often, but that is probably in part to the self-censoring I’ve been doing for 2 years now. It’s getting old.

I’m going to find a way to restrict access to certain posts here. I haven’t decided yet how liberal I will be with my access to others. I’ll let you know when it is in place, and you are more than welcome to register. I might not approve you though. We’ll see.

Those of you that are long-time bloggers know exactly how I feel. Those of you that are newer bloggers may know it already too – and if you don’t, well … you will understand.

This? This is nice. I am talking on my site about how I’m feeling. This is how it all started. I like it when it feels this way. After close to 5 years of blogging, sometimes you have to shake the dust off.

It’s time to take back the blog.