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Homework for Nov 2nd

Hello Class,

Today we went through some basic javascript (alert, rollover and slideshow functions).

For next week's homework make the following.

1. In total you'll make 2 html pages.

2. The first html page will have 3 buttons and each of them will have individual alert (just like the fruit exercises we did in class)

3. The buttons will lead us to the second html page.

4. The second html page will have a slide show.

You can have the rollover function used on either the first/second html page, most likely as a button. If you want to try and attach a CSS file, go for it. If you want to write your javascript on the html page rather than a separate js file, that's fine too.

Be creative!

Homework for Oct 26th

For next week...

Use the HTML5 canvas codes to illustrate the following elements on one web page.

1. Frame

2. Background (within the frame) : you can use either the pattern/gradient

3. Stick figure (with head, face, body)

Creativity is a huge part of the homework. If you guys can find other canvas codes and put them in the homework, extra points there.

For next week Oct 12th....

This week there is no homework!

But use this week to work on your studio projects and use the knowledge you gained from the 2 week project playing with CSS and XHTML codes.

Next class we will be learning about HTML5 and all that is required is a fresh set of mind. We will be covering HTML5 for the next 2 weeks.

Beatport Review

www.beatport.com

I chose to review a website called Beatport for its amazing organization, and usability. The website is marketed towards DJs and enthusiasts of club music. It offers an amazing range of music, from hundreds of record labels, of the topmost producers of music today. Users can browse through genres, charts, and dj mixes to find tracks that inspire them. Once found a song can be downloaded in MP3, MP4, and WAV formats, offering the best quality for playback and performance.

Visiters to the site are presented with blocks of information on the initial screen. Genres, charts, and DJ mixes appear as drop down menus across the top. A login for users is found in the upper right corner. If logging in a separate window appears over the side (dimming everything into the background) highlighting the log in window. Along the left column is navigation to the top 100 downloads, top 100 classics, new releases, and release by date. Below that prompts “getting started” options which include register, redeem gift card, and video tutorials. At the top of this column is a search bar with a dropdown menu to specify search to artist, labels, genre, and various other criteria.

The right column is a listing of the top 100 downloads. Here the user can view the top 10 of this list and click on each to hear a minute preview of the track. There is also a link to download these tracks to the right of the play button, highlighted by their pricing.

Between the two columns is a rotating Featured list. Graphics for artist, album, singles, and remix releases scroll into the window from the right. Above this window are small circles where one can choose to click on the featured items if one peaks their interest. Above and below this main featured window are two similar windows. These highlight album covers with specific interest and recent release.

I like this site because of its ease in navigation. Basically you can click on anything that interests you. This will then bring you to a new page with specific information on the album that track appears in and related information. The site constantly recommends alternatives and similar albums or artists that users have also bought. I like this as a DJ because as much as it is about finding the good music everyone likes, it’s also about finding the music no one knows about. Although I usually scrape blogs for that kind of stuff there are certain releases you cannot find anywhere but a label’s site or on Beatport. This has become the global hub for DJs to acquire music legally.

If I could adapt this site to better suit the use I think it deserves, I would change the introduction page. The navigation through this site primarily only changes the central window, while the columns and the header stay the same. To someone new to this site that has never used it the small detailed buttons, and tiny text seem to all cloud together into one daunting visual smear. I would create the site to open simply, prompting, “shop beatport” and “getting started”. This would allow seasoned users to get straight to their browsing, while new users could take the tour. Alternately I would move the option for “getting started” as it is now hidden on the left column and on the bottom footer, to the top near the login option.

Great job class!

Great presentation class!

This week (Oct 5th) there is no homework from the lab class. Now that you have mastered CSS+XHTML, use the knowledge you gained and start implementing on your studio projects. If you guys need extra help with building something for your studio, u know how to reach me.

Also, please forward me your school website link. Your mid term review will be sent shortly.