I have been a part time web site designer since 2001, first using HTML editors and later editing code after taking a HTML class. Next I was intrigued by CSS and basically learned CSS code by experimenting with a project offered by the site CSS Zen Garden. My experimental site is here. I’ve continued to make sites using CSS layout and with some simpler sites with table layout though all have at least some CSS.

I’m posting sites I have made, my comments and updates. The progression is interesting as the learning process goes on. Thanks for reading and comments are open.

Twin Ford Farm has been one of my first non-table sites. Styled and laid out with CSS it demonstrates  the use of fixed elements relative to the browser window. The content appears to scroll behind the fixed elements which, in the case of the footer image, actually overlaps the content yet spacing allows full view of the content using the scroll bar.

My usual method of creating the navigation bar and the column of photos would be to use tables but in this case I resisted and used CSS to create padding and centering.

Added new photos to Dutton Construction’s finished project, Sugar Hill. Photo pages on DDBUILDER.COM are created with Apple’s iWeb and posted to a public folder on DropBox. Completed projects were moved from “ongoing” to “completed” page and thumbnails/preview images were updated. Next will be a new project added to “ongoing” when I receive the new images and info.

So far I’ve found embedding video a challenge with the exception of inserting Youtube video because Youtube provides the code to insert. It is pretty handy and having the video on Youtube helps with recognition of the client’s company. See it embedded on in the Charles Ogg Furniture page.

With the closing of .Mac and now with MobileMe closing July of 2012, I have been searching for alternative ways to host and make photo galleries. For the Chittenden Historical Society I have come up with a free photo gallery application called SimpleViewer. Here is a SimpleViewer sample. Another uses Fireworks CS3 photo gallery creation tool. See this Fireworks CS3 gallery for an example. I like the simple viewer gallery better simply because the photos are larger and the format is cleaner.

I didn’t make this site but have done lots of work polishing and upgrading. Primarily I rebuilt it to use Dreamweaver templates so that common elements can be changed more easily. Originally the site was table based but I have kept the design while changing the code to CSS layout using a table only in the gallery pages.

An amazing piece called the Musky Lounge Coffee Table features some fantastic hand carving by Charles Ogg. Also handy with a camera, Charles Ogg provided me with a panorama of the table’s edge and I posted it horizontally scrolling in a pop up layer as it is greater than 4000 pixels wide!

This last upgrade also included a navigational tool I learned about with this upgrade called “bread crumbs” which allows for easy linking back. I’ve seen it on other sites and finally learned how to use it myself. This one is called “Breadcrumb Links Script” and was created by Nate Baldwin. He provides a tutorial to use his script here.

Upgraded Dutton Construction Site with photo pages made with Apple’s iWeb posted to space on DropBox in preparation for the closing of iDisk (former location of photo albums) July of 2012. The iWeb pages perform nearly as well on DropBox with the exception of hit counter no longer functioning.

Peacock Floorcloth by Fish House Designs

A web site project I really enjoyed because the artwork is so amazing. Have a look for  yourself. I posted large, resizable images in the gallery to show them off. Wondering what a floorcloth is? Here’s a blurb from the home page: Though called floorcloths, the art can colorfully adorn walls, tables, dressers and anywhere in the house a splash of color is needed, including floors. Inspired by “batik” fabrics & gifts from nature, using a variety of tools and applications, artist, Donna Claytor, explores color, design, glazing techniques, layering & paint manipulation to make one-of-kind, beautiful, durable and creative floorcloths that are suitable for framing.

Click the image or visit the site here: Fish House Designs.

A site I volunteered to make can be found here: www.chittendenhistory.org. Featuring the restoration of a historic grange hall, the Chittenden Historical Society uses this site to post information about projects and their other activities. A photo album using Apple’s .Mac service is integrated with the site. This site relies on CSS layout.

Just learning what blogs are and enjoying linking images from one site to another. Just finished a web site that uses a photo service which can be accessed here.  Chittenden Dammers SmugMug photo pages. The image below links to the Dammers site. This site also uses WordPress blogs for trail conditions and news so the guy in charge of the club web site can add his own content.