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Best way to update HTML/CSS skills?

over 10 years ago from

Question says it all. I'm wondering if anyone's got advice about boning up on HTML5/CSS3. Been trying to keep up, but work doesn't offer a lot of opportunity to flex the muscle. Books? Sites? Videos? Courses? I know of a few resources/sites for peicemeal tips (W3C, css-tricks etc), but was wondering if there's a good comprehensive system to learn proper layout with div strucutres and best practices for semantics etc. Basically I'm looking for a good walkthrough learning system where I can see reasons behind certain decisions and the use of some simple javascript (jquery).

Thanks!

10 comments

  • Jake Lazaroff, over 10 years ago

    Honestly, the best way I've found to keep my skills up-to-date is to start a project that requires things I don't know, and learn how to do them :)

    2 points
  • Oskar RoughOskar Rough, over 10 years ago

    I'm currently working on an 'interactive book' to help people do just that. Would love to hear more about what you'd want to learn more about, what's confusing etc.?

    If you need something right now I can suggest some of the links on blog.oskarrough.com/2013/02/online-learning/ - and although I haven't read anything from http://learn.shayhowe.com the index does look good.

    2 points
    • Jeff EscalanteJeff Escalante, over 10 years ago

      Shay Howe's guides are among the best ways I've seen. Otherwise, take on freelance work outside of your job and actually build! There's nothing better for learning than doing.

      0 points
      • Jason WilliamsJason Williams, over 10 years ago

        Definitely agree. It's like any language that way. Use it or lose it. I've got a few personal projects to use for 'fodder'. Thanks for the tip.

        0 points
    • Jason WilliamsJason Williams, over 10 years ago

      Awesome. Happy to hear about your project. As for what's confusing or what I'd like schooling on: - box model and it's relevance to markup. - layout with divs (and proper naming) - floats/position (big one) - best practices regarding spans, naming, code hierarchy. - the 'tricks' that people use eg. positioning text at -9999px

      I understand the basics of building a page regarding layout. It's more the small gaps that get me. I spend 30 minutes googling something because an element isn't placed right. Personally it'd be great to see a few pages created and the decisions behind each component. Ideally that would include some small bits of jquery or php.. And yes, I understand that this might just be a matter of pull up your boots and jump in. Thanks for the info!

      1 point
  • Juani Ruiz EchazuJuani Ruiz Echazu, over 10 years ago

    I've referred many friends to teamtreehouse.com - I've started learning Ruby myself over there, and the one giving those classes was pretty easy to follow. If you want to give treehouse a try, sign up through here to get 50% off your first month: http://referrals.trhou.se/juaniruizechazu

    I also know that smashingmagazine.com has made quite a few posts about how to learn HTML/CSS over the time. You may also want to check out net.tutsplus.com - these are mostly free.

    1 point
  • Cat NooneCat Noone, over 10 years ago

    I've used tutsplus and codeacademy but none of them have compared to Codeschool. I stopped using them because they just weren't meeting my learning style. However, on codeschool, I absolutely love the way the lessons are taught and the visuals behind it. Everything is done in browser which makes the learning process a lot easier.

    1 point
  • Oskar RoughOskar Rough, over 10 years ago

    I guess one of the most helpful ways is to find a mentor that's available whenever you're stuck. Often problems are explained very easily through experience but can keep beginners stuck for days.

    0 points
    • Jason WilliamsJason Williams, over 10 years ago

      Totally agree. My last gig had a great developer sitting next to me that I could ask. Different focus in the new place. I guess there's always....forums.

      0 points
  • Alejandro VizioAlejandro Vizio, over 10 years ago

    I started using Treehouse. I really tried other learning methods and I´m really happy with it. I highly recommend it!

    0 points