Can Anyone Create a Website?

I see commercials all the time about companies creating programs that any that can use a computer can create a website. If that is the case how are there still web developers out there? Is there a future for web designers?

I think that there is a need for professional web designers, because the web is constantly changing, and a professional keeps up with those changes, where as the normal Joe Blow out there has other things to worry about, like keeping his business running. Plus I think it is important to look at how the business owner values his time. You can spend the time to create a website, but it will probably take double the time it would take for a professional to create a website, and the quality would probably be better.

I’m not saying that the create your own website programs aren’t good, but I think the quality difference you will find between the two is great.  

Who builds websites?

I found a survey that I thought was interesting. It was a survey put together by A List Apart polling their members to get information about the people who are creating websites. It has a ton of information about who is creating websites from gender, to salary, and what country they are from.  It is very interesting to see this type of information about the field of web design. I can say I wasn’t to surprised that of the people polled the majority where white males, but it did make me wonder why it is that way? Any Ideas?

Where do you go to find good content on the Web?

As I am looking for articles, and subjects to blog about, in hopes of making a meaningful post, and learning something interesting and new, I find myself spending more time actually looking for something worthwhile to read, than I do actually writing on my blog. I guess this is a hot button topic for me looking back to my initial post. I think there is so much information out there but not all of it is even worth reading.  In no way am I in favor of any type of content censorship, even though big brother thinks that is the answer to everything, but I digress. Where can you find worthwhile content? Where can people go to find knowledge that is worth having, without spending hours sorting through some of the garbage that is found on the web? I am hoping as I continue to write this blog I will come across some meaningful content, and be able to share it.

I did not know anyone even used Internet Explorer anymore!

I read this article today, and thought it was very interesting. Microsoft is asking its users to upgrade from using Internet Explorer 6. This caught me a little by surprise, since they are now putting out a release candidate for IE 9. I would have to admit that it is rare that I even use Internet Explorer. I think the last time I used it was when I upgraded to windows 7. I used it to get online so I could download Chrome, and Firefox.  I have yet to find a site that does not run on either of those.  It makes me wonder how internet Explorer has fallen from grace in the eyes of most of us.  Did Microsoft get too big for its own good? Where they trying to release as much as possible and the quality of the product suffered? Are Firefox, and Chrome, just a much better product?

On that subject, as I begin in web design, I have found that because of the differences in web browsers, it has become impossible to just design a page and have it work on all browsers the same. Why? Are the differences between all browsers that big? Can’t we all just get along for the sake of the designer, and the users? That will be a post for another time; I will have to find out more about that. 

Starting out

As part of my education at the Art Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have been challenged to begin a blog to start showcasing the skills that I am gaining. I hope to be able to have fun sharing what I do. I am working towards a Bachelors degree in Web Design and Interactive Media. I chose to go back to school a couple years ago, because I felt like I needed that elusive degree, but also because I enjoy learning new and interesting things. I also wanted to help my kids understand the importance of knowledge, and how it will benefit them.

I hope that my education will help me be able to contribute to the Web Design community. Through my education I have also gained an interest in Photography, Video, and have had fun learning Photoshop, Illustrator, SoundBooth, Premiere, Flash, and at the moment I am learning about After Effects. Some very powerful tools, that I am just barely scratching the surface of, but I hope to become proficient at each of them while continuing to learn about new tools that will help me as I venture more into actually creating Web content.

My philosophy on the Web is that it contains so much information both good and bad. I hope that through my designs I will contribute to the good that can be found on the web. I think we have such a powerful tool at our fingertips, and the knowledge that is available to us is almost infinite, we just need to find the knowledge that is relevant, and beneficial to us. I think the bing commercials on Search Overload show how I feel sometimes, there is so much out there on the web, how do you find the relevant information? Plus they are funny, and who couldn't use a laugh every once in a while.