Frontend Engineering, Volume I

Pro HTML: Welcome!

All Standards: HTML 4.01, XHTML 1.1, HTML 5, Living HTML

After this Welcome! page, we invite you to continue at one of the pages on the menu above:

Project Our sample website project, like the one you will create while you use this knowit.
Online Companion pages tracking with the printed portion.
Print PDFs that let you sample the print, or get started while you wait for your printed text to be delivered.
Tables Including topical outlines (searchable!) of the whole course and fully supported (all standards) tags and attributes.
Corrections Go here to be sure your printed material stays current.

What Is a Knowit?

A book is the classic form of "knowit", our contracted form of "knowledge unit." A knowit consumer (such as a book reader) is willing to take the time to learn a subject. While there is no defining time limit for a knowit, just as there is no defining size for a book, the consumer has enough interest to invest several hours in this learning. The knowit's job is to convey that knowledge, organized into a learning program that will get the consumer up to speed as quickly as possible.

The knowit combines the best available media for the type of knowledge. Learning can come through reading, through watching videos or listening to lectures. The best knowits will, whenever possible, combine a considerable amount of "doing" as the most time-effective form of learning.

If it is one of the learning vehicles, reading is still easiest with printed matter. Not surprisingly, the resolution of mass printing has matured in the centuries since Gutenberg. Our online devices are not yet (2011) capable of rendering printed-quality serif typefaces. On the other hand, full color printed pages are expensive and you can't yet place your mouse on a link and click a book's page.

Using This Knowit

On your monitor, arrange at least two browser windows. One will show this online content and the other will show the website you are creating. You will also need instant access to the text editor you use to create your HTML. We arrange our editor and website so that a single click navigates from one to the other.

On your physical desktop arrange your keyboard, the printed portion of this knowit and your monitor so all are convenient. We like to have the keyboard pushed toward the monitor, leaving space for the printed material between our arms. We're also partial to large binder clips for holding the pages flat.

If you are using the free PDFs to sample this knowit (or to get started while you wait for your printed copy to arrive) you may want to print a copy. (Do your printing in black and white if you want to match ours.)

Why "Pro" HTML?

The difference between learning HTML and learning professional HTML is very small, very important and one of the first subjects of Chapter One, to which you should now turn. The book will direct you back to this website as needed. So open your book (or print a copy of the first chapter), turn to the first page and let's get going.

Feedback: MartinRinehart at gmail dot com

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