Free Skool:Spring 2013
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New Haven Free Skool Web Design & Development class
- The focus of this class will be Web development with WordPress.
- Each participant has a WordPress instance created for them, and we dig in. A secondary focus will be basic HTML and CSS editing, so that participants will better understand the underlying nature of Web pages.
- We'll need a quick overview of wiki editing as well, so that we can use this wiki for collaboration.
- Finally, the facilitators will hammer home the importance of freedom, openness, and the role of FOSS (free/open-source software) in building and maintaining a free Web.
Time and Location
Classes take place Wednesdays 5:30pm to 6:30pm EST, March 13 & 20 and April 3, 10, & 17 at The People's Arts Collective of New Haven:
Optionally, after class sessions can be scheduled, preferably somewhere with beer and the Internet.
Signing Up
There are a few ways to do this, there's a signup sheet at the Free Skool website, but it requires giving your information to Google via Google Docs. You can also just contact the facilitators (listed below) directly, or just show up. Classes are typically 13-16 people, but we have room for (maybe) 20 people and will try to make computers available for participants upon request.
- To edit this wiki, you must request an account.
Facilitators
Sean "Diggity" O'Brien
me@seandiggity.com or sean@webio.me
Hans Schoenburg
Participants
We've moved the list of participants to a new page, since it got too long.
Class Blogs
We've moved the list of blogs to a new page, since it got too long.
Class Outline
Session 1
March 13, 2013
Quick Overview of HTML and CSS
- Get started with HTML and CSS samples and the live code editor at W3Schools.
- Video Tutorial: tutor4u at YouTube
- For a great code editor in Windows, try out Notepad++.
WordPress Blogs
- We set up custom WordPress instances for everyone. See check the list and add your information. If you need a WordPress instance (blog), please contact sean@webio.me.
Freedom Tips
- Install Firefox with the Web Developer extension.
- While you're at it, why not block ads and browse the Web more securely?
Session 2
March 20, 2013
Dive Into WordPress
- Overview of WordPress features, with an emphasis on the basic setup.
- See our WordPress Basics.
Freedom Tips
- Install a search plugin that doesn't spy on you (like Google does).
- DuckDuckGo is the safest way to search, even on your phone.
Session 3
April 3, 2013
- More hacking on our WordPress installations, and we spent most of the session helping hands-on with individual questions. We also did a basic introduction to wiki editing, a brought some more users online with their own WordPress instances.
Wiki Editing
- If you haven't already requested an account on this wiki, please do and fill out your information above ^
- The default WikiEditor toolbar provides some formatting buttons to use. However, you may need to learn some wiki markup for more advanced formatting.
- See MediaWiki's Formatting Help.
- Wikipedia's Cheatsheet is also a quick reference.
Citing Works
- For details about how you should cite books, articles, and websites, read this page.
Freedom Tips
- Find out what Creative Commons is and why it's important for the Web.
- Did you know you can search for free culture works that you can remix, adapt, and distribute freely?
Session 4
April 10, 2013
How Websites Work
- Video: Understanding HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, SQL, databases
- Video: What is Web Hosting?
- See our Primer for Web Developers, also available as this PDF snapshot.
- Did you know you can "roll your own" PDF from any page(s) of this site by clicking Print/export > Download as PDF in the sidebar?
What is Free Software?
- Video: What Is Free Software? with Richard Stallman
- Please take a look at the Free Software Definition and Operating Systems sections of our software recommendations.
- We're going to download at least one piece of free software from our recommendations to replace a proprietary program.
- Let's concentrate on programs related to Web development and graphics. Get ready to drop Photoshop for GIMP or Illustrator for Inkscape!
Freedom Tips
- Did you know you don't have to use Windows or Mac OSX? Learn what's wrong with Apple and Microsoft.
- While you're at it, why not try an alternative OS from our list?
Session 5
April 17, 2013
Origins of the Web
Miscellaneous videos on the history of the Web:
- Video: World Wide Web in Plain English
- Video: How the World Wide Web Just Happened with Tim Berners-Lee
- Video: The Virtual Revolution, Part 1: History of the Internet (full episode)
- Video: The Virtual Revolution, Part 2: Enemy of the State (full episode)
Advertising and Business Interests
The motivation of Web developers matters. Advertising and business interests shape the Web.
- Video: Persuasion, Emotion, & Trust in UX Design - "Can Do", "Will Do", and "Still Do" factors
- If people have too many choices, they won't choose at all.
- Social Validation: When people are uncertain, they'll look to peers.
- Scarcity: Less available items seem to be more valuable.
- Food, Sex, or Danger: These are powerful triggers for action.
- Power of Faces: Humans focus on faces.
- Story: Humans process information best in story form.
- Commitment: Start by asking for small commitments.
- Some of these conclusions and the research they're based upon are questionable. However, we need to understand the role such conclusions play on the Web. This video represents the "school of thought" of Web-based business.
Freedom Tips
- Have you tried downloading and reading free eBooks?
- Take a look at the 42K+ eBooks available at Project Gutenberg and the smaller Calibre DRM-free library.
Class Materials
Did you know you can "roll your own" PDF from any page(s) of this site by clicking Print/export > Download as PDF in the sidebar?
More Resources
- Links to all kinds of cool (and helpful!) stuff.
Software Recommendations
Videos
Readings
Recommended Web Hosts
Wiki Editing Help
Tips on editing this wiki.
