Rodent Regatta

>From Digital Media Minute we’re pointed to an article at Clagnut about sizing text using ems. I think this falls into the category of style-switching and text-switching techniques.

It seems to me that most techniques for switching involve using a second, third or fourth stylesheet for the presentation of a site. It’s not yet clear to me how the switching of text alone might differ from switching other aspects of a site, except that the style sheet for one ight switch text only, while many other elements of the presentation might be changed by some other stylesheet.

More to learn! There also appears to be some variety of ways to actually accomplish skinning or style-switching on a site. More when we know it.

I’m an engineer by training. My first ”emotional” click with a product was in 1973 while still in engineering school. My HP-45 scientific calculator with RPN arrived. For a weekend, I learned every feature, function and feel of the machine. It was ultimate geekiness.

My interest in web design, XHTML, tools and such is far less touchy-feely. For now, it’s a hobby. It’s a hobby I’m deeply interested in, but I’m terrible at it. I’m fascinated with the software and protocols that make all of this possible, but it’s not an emotional thing. She’s right. They’re only tools.

I really want to learn how to apply things like Son of Suckerfish Dropdowns. Until a moment ago, I had no idea what this was all about. I hadn’t read the predecessor. I’ve only glanced at the example.

To think I’m still trying to figure out where to put Movable Type’s day/date tag in the template to make the day and date appear as a heading over each day’s entries in another site I’m working on…

...what do you call enthusiasm and frustration when they occur simultaneously?

• * * UPDATE * * * There’s even more to read than we thought!

There is a link-filled entry at Digital Web Magazine titled Blogging For Business. It’s excellent. Follow that one with The Evolution of Corporate Web Sites.

Some of the fog is clearing and the directions for weblog tools are becoming clearer. Movers seem to be (largely) focused on WordPress and ExpressionEngine. I’ve downloaded both. Let the trials begin. It seems Scriptygoddess is looking rather seriously at WordPress.

• * * UPDATE * * * Matthew Mullenwegg is keeping us posted about various moves to the WordPress product. What’s obvious to me is how many of the early moves are happening with people who can really enhance the product with their know-how. It also seems to remove some of the risk of one or more key developers tiring and abandoning the project. Decisions, decisions.

• * * UPDATE 2 * * * Jenni at Code Novice may have offered the final bit of encouragement I need. Read these three entries: | 1 | 2 | 3 |