whitecat solutions

Pixel perfect

2009-12-06T08:07:00.005+10:00

Whatever the previous problem was, it now appears to be gone. I have rewritten the site anyway (to lean up the html) - it was getting pretty messy. The site in question (http://www.toowoomba-croquet.org.au/) now loads really fast compared to the old one. Still looks similar, but a bit neater.
Here is a screen-cap showing that things now line-up:

What is up with Fire Fox 3?

2008-09-06T14:44:00.008+10:00

What the blazes is up with Fire Fox 3???

Everything is off by 1 pixel. What a pain in the neck!

Notice in the image above, that the segment seems to overlap to the right?

Notice in the image above, that the segment seems to indent to the right?

Now I've got to go and change EVERY SITE I EVER DESIGNED!

Notice how in the images a section is off by 1 px to the left?

I did fix this by going:

html {
height:100%;
background-color: #ffffff;
background-image: url('../images/container.jpg');
background-repeat: repeat-y;
background-position: center top;
margin:0px -1px 0px 0px;
padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;
font-size:1em;
font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
}

Shouldn't have to do this though, and it adds a stupid scroll-bar to the bottom of FF3 browser window. *Sigh*

I really hope it's just a bug that will be fixed in the next update... *hopeful fluttering of eyes*

XHTML structure

2008-09-05T17:54:00.008+10:00

Had a question the other day, by a friend of mine who is learning basic HTML, on WHAT each of the parts of an XHTML page mean, and where they come through in a browser.

I did these two diagrams - yes very simple, but in plain language, to explain how HTML works.

The first diagram is the WHOLE XHTML document, and what each of the bits mean.
The second diagram is how the browser interprets the code.

If you are an educator, feel free to use it. Just acknowledge where you got these diagrams from.

And if you see any errors, or can think of anything to add on, let me know! ;)

Changing bullet colour in Open Office.org Writer (a quick tutorial)

2008-09-05T17:48:00.003+10:00

For some Tutorials I write, for a quick and easy PDF, I will often use Open Office.org Writer (here on in, I'll just refer to it as 'Writer') .

I wanted to have nice coloured bullets, to go with the colour scheme I used for the headings, not the default black ones. I didn't want to use image bullets, I just wanted to use simple round coloured disc bullets.

It really doesn't take too much to change the colour of the bullets in Writer.

Note: I like to have Nonprinting Characters showing when I use Writer, because I am less likely to miss empty paragraphs, wreck styles, etc.

Step One: Open up Writer, create a simple list

Kind of
like
this
one

Step Two: Left click your mouse to the Left (in the margin). See the little "I" beam? - I'm just holding the mouse to the left so you can see where I clicked.
When you have actually clicked, the bullet fields will actually show up. The cursor will blink on the left of the bullet. (You can see the cursor is next to the word 'here')

Step Two: Right click your mouse to bring up the context menu, and then select "Character"
This will bring up this window:
Step Three: Click on "Font Color", and choose a nice colour. I chose a customised colour that I had created to suit myself:
Step Four: Click on "Ok":

Notice the cursor is still on the left of the bullet? And the bullet fields are still selected? To deselect (get away from) the bullet fields, click somewhere to the right.
Step Five: Enjoy making your nice, different coloured bullets!
This also works for numbering too!

Loooooong time no write!

2007-11-04T10:54:00.003+10:00

Gee I'm slack. Haven't blogged for the longest, longest time! More than a year ago!!!! Looked at a design I did ages ago for whitecatsolutions - eeewww!!!! what was I thinking??????

I have been learning and doing for the last year - came up with a new design for my website:

A lot of time and effort went into this design. I know it's not perfect, but I do like it.

Local Installation Wordpress Tutorial

2006-08-15T12:29:00.000+10:00

I downloaded WordPress and had tried to install it - to no avail!!!!! I first used phpdev, and that didn't work, then I found an 'easy' way using XAMMP. Still didn't work though - but I still kept trying, and it still kept mucking up.

I thought I found just about every tutorial and documentation in installing it locally. I like to do this so I can develop templates etc without having a live site look weird or 'breaking'.

When attempting to install Wordpress locally on my computer (I wanted to learn how to make Wordpress templates/skins/themes) the installation seemed to keep stopping at Step 2.

I let my computer stay on Step 2 for nearly 3 hours hoping that that was the standard time it took to install the sample data. No, my computer isn’t a super slow piece of junk, either.

Getting sick of waiting (after a couple of hours), I would then hit the refresh button on my browser (it happened in both IE6 and FireFox) which would say there is POST-DATA, etc and then refresh to say that it was already installed!!

Anyway with much mucking about and many, many hours of fiddling and cursing, I was able to realise that:

my local WordPress installation worked
I had to find a way to get that elusive password

After even more hours of fiddling and cursing, I did it, and then promptly created a tutorial (which I have now un-published, out of embarrassment on how bad it is) on how I did it then found a fantastic tutorial (and waaaaayyyyyyy easier one) at:

http://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/phpmyadmin/

Fantastic tutorial and I would say a 'lifesaver' to many!!! :)

WordPress

2006-08-14T09:11:00.000+10:00

I am relatively new to web design and have been learning HTML and CSS. I have developed an interest in blogging as a way of learning and sharing web design information. As I said previously have had experience in creating Joomla! templates (what a learning curve for someone who didn't even know HTML at the time!), and have started to see and hear more about Wordpress.

From what I understand, its a complex, but easy to use blogging system or can be used for a simple content managment system. I have seen it used for business web-sites (links can be found on the wordpress site)

The great thing about WordPress is that you can import your Blogger posts! :)

Even if I do decide to have a WordPress blog, I will still maintain this one on Blogger, as I have developed a bit of a fondness for it.

Bit sad, I know.... ;)

Well, I've done it... kinda

2006-07-26T17:13:00.000+10:00

Well, its not very original (in fact its just an edit of the one I selected).

But, it has been a learning experience.

Had to host the images externally, couldn't find a work-around.

Is there a 'premium' blogger account or is the whole of blogger free???

Guess I'll have to do some research...

Cheers,

My Website

2006-07-26T14:03:00.000+10:00

My blog is named after the business I run with my husband, whitecatsolutions - graphic, print and web design.

I have just changed providers and have just re-designed it, and am currently in the process of writing new content. Should be up in a couple of weeks. Our company also provides custom-made software. This is found at whitecatsoftware. Again, a change of providers and a massive redesign.

Learning HTML and CSS has been quite a learning curve for me, as I come from a fine-arts background.

Here's a screen shot of what it should look like when done:

[EDIT: was able to link it to where it is hosted, rather than directly upload it!!!! :) :) ]

Will upload a screenshot later... for some reason I can't upload images.... :(

Anyway,

Cheers

What is it about uploading images???

2006-07-25T07:30:00.000+10:00

I've been doing stacks of research on uploading images (for templates).

So far, I've only been able to find out that the only way I can have an individualized template is to upload or 'hotlink' from another site.

I don't like hotlinking.

I know photobucket allow linking to blogger.com, but I kind of feel uncomfortable doing that.

Ohhhh, I dunno, I'll have a go....

I will try to see a work around.

Cheers,

Research and more research

2006-07-24T15:30:00.000+10:00

Well, I am already sick of looking at the default template and have swapped it about 3 times now.

Sad, Eh?

I am now doing stacks of research on creating my own template. I know how to create a Joomla template, and have done it from scratch.

The the principle seems similar, with regular HTML plugged with module placement tags. Haven't really looked at Joomla for the last couple of months though. A lot of the designs used tables for layout and structure... although I believe they are trying to get away from that and are trying to get people to use css to control the structure and layout.

Many people would disagree, but as an art teacher (rather, an ex-art teacher), I personally believe that structure and layout have much to do with the style, many people believe that style and structure are two separate things. My argument is that without structure, there is no style and that structure is an inherant part of style! But each to their own beliefs.

Famous last words: creating a blogger template seems simple enough......

Hmmm......

Now, just need to get my head around the blogger concept.

I found the best way for me to learn how to make a Joomla template was to take the default one apart and restructure/redecorate it.

Mind you, I did a lot of that before I really understood the principles of html and css. I have been reading and doing, doing and reading html and css. HTML For Dummies, the Famous Elizabeth Castro book, the w3c Schools site. I only very recently purchased two books from Sitepoint.com: HTML Utopia: Designing Without Tables Using CSS and Build Your Own Website The Right Way Using HTML & CSS. You learn new things every day.

I think I might just start with little steps and modify this template I am currently using - I'll have a look under its hood to see how it ticks. I kind of like the layout.... maybe I'll join the tutorial brigade and write a few myself.

Anyway, as they say: watch this space!

Cheers,

First Post!

2006-07-22T14:28:00.000+10:00

Yay! My first post!

Yeah, kinda sad.... but as they say: watch this space!

As I get better with my HTML and CSS skills (I've been learning them for about 2 months) I will post what I learn. (Does that make sense????)

I have a strong art background and have left art teaching to move into graphic design, so my design skills are strong.

Yep. I also know that at the moment I am using one of the default templates, but hey, we all have to learn baby steps first, huh??

..... now its a matter of transferring my designs into HTML and CSS..... ;)