Wow. My last post was a while ago. Sorry. I’m still here, alive and kicking.

Been taking more classes here in Austin. Though I’m holding off during July and August because I have been working on some PHP code.

As you may know I have a Gallery section off this site. Well this was a package I downloaded when I first started the site. It works but not as well as I prefer. I do not like table for layout. Call me a bigot or whatever you want. I was also interested in creating something that is more integrated into a site. The Gallery package was pretty much stand-lone. So when you went in you lost all navigation on the CodeHooligans.com site. This also was not acceptable.

So check it out and left me know. It is on the menu on the left labeled ‘Gallery’.

There is still a lot of work. Need to setup some security, add a little more functionality to the image manipulation etc. But those are admin level issues. I call it CHGalley and will be posting the complete code for this under my Projects section at a later date.

Also on the block is the BLOG software package I’m using. This is a nice template based package but once again it does not integrated well into the CodeHooligans site.

Lastly I’m working on a full redesign of the CodeHooligans site. I have been mostly working on re-styling the site. Been cutting my teeth on CSS and love it.

I do believe Web Standards are the only way to go for any new development. Meaning if you’re reworking or re-styling a site consider doing more for your client and converting it to XHTML and CSS.

So does that make me a Zeldmanist?

Wow just where did this month go? I’ve been busy but still I feel like I’ve lost some time.

Decided to take some classes at the local Community College (ACC). Actually I found out ACC has a complete Webmaster certification program. Did more research and found out the courses are very detailed. Enough to allow me to spent the money and get some instruction on things I have avoided like Photoshop.

Took three classes in all this past month. Two are online, Photoshop into and XHTML level 1 or 3. The third class was instructor lead and very interesting. It was called ‘Website Management’. Must not have read through the description well enough. Going in I thought this was about the backend process stuff. No. This was more on how to write website project proposals. The instructor is an established self-employed web developer. Though she doesn’t do this anymore. Very good class.

So today is the end of the two online courses. I enjoyed the online Photoshop class so much I have decided to enroll on the Photoshop advanced class that starts next week. For 4 nights over two weeks from 6-10pm I will be in the classroom again. Should be very interesting. I’m really looking forward to this. Plus it is the same instructor as the Photoshop intro that I just took online.

Later…

This week kicks-off the SXSW (South by South-West) festival hosted here in Austin for some 14 years. The festival has three parts, Music, Film and Interactive (Web). They all run concurrently. From the crowds downtown over this past weekend I have got to tell you this is a big event.

But sadly I am not attending. Many other Austinates here do not believe in the high dollar cost ask for the risk band. The Platinum band with gave access to all three events was $700. The music band is only $125. But the one I wanted to get was the Interactive. Since I am a web developer (or attempting to be).

So I sat in a bar yesterday (Saturday) and the bar maid and I sat there making fun of the folks coming in from the convention. It’s amazing when these people speak they mention about their web site blah blah blah. Not sure sometimes I do want to go. So the plan is to make this event next year. Although the price will probably double.

Oh well better start saving my change now.

Later

I’ve finally uploaded the pics from the Eastern cruise Carribean Sondra and I took almost 2 weeks ago. Check `em out in the Gallery section. Cruising in the Caribbean

Also, found a couple of web cam link to bars in Key West, The Turtle farm on Grand Caymn. Here they are:

http://webcam.keywest.com

Curious why ‘Bone Island Bob’s’ is not on the above URL.

http://www.boneislandbobs.com

Also, here is the web cam for the Turle farm in Cayman

http://www.turtle.ky/

And another from Cayman pointed toward the docks. Not sure which one

http://www.kroooz-cams.com/ports/cayman.htm

Have not found any good Jamaican cams. Looking for something for the falls. Maybe I need to go back and help then set one up!

Cozumel has a few also
http://www.cozumel-hotels.net/webcam