Q: Are there any tests or quizzes in the class?
A: No. There are no quizzes. This class is project-based and you will demonstrate your knowledge through the completion of class exercises and projects.

Q: Is there a book for the class?
A: Yes, there is a required textbook. It is Learning Web Design: A Beginner's Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics, 5th Edition, by Jennifer Niederst Robbins. This book will be avaialable to you for free through Safari Books Online. It’s also available on Amazon.com or at the college bookstore. This book is an excellent and comprehensive guide to the topics in this class. Chapters from the book will be assigned each week to support your learning and ability to complete the exercises and projects.

Q: Do I have to buy software for this course? What software is needed?
A: All of the software required for the class is free and open source. You may use Adobe software as well (such as coding in Dreamweaver and using PhotoShop and/or Fireworks for editing images), but it is not required that you purchase this software and you will not need it to be successful in the class. Below are my software recommendations. You may use other software instead, but other software will not be supported (via tutorials and/or online support) in the class.

1) First and foremost, you will you will need an HTML/Web Editor. Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac) can be used for this, but they are inadequate for substantive web coding. You’ll want something with some web development features and color coding to make things easier. I recommend Brackets for this. It is cross-platform and open source (free). Some other options are Komodo Edit, Aptana Studio, Kompozer, BBEdit, Coda, Coffee Cup, Expression Web, and, the industry-standard, Dreamweaver.

• Brackets: http://brackets.io/
• Komodo Edit (free version): http://www.activestate.com/komodo-edit

2) You will need FTP client software that will allow you to upload/transfer files to the MAT server. I recommend FileZilla for this, which is open source and cross platform. Other options include WinSCP (PC), Fugu (Mac), and Dreamweaver.

• FileZilla FTP client (free version): http://filezilla-project.org
  (Note: for FileZilla, choose FileZilla Client and choose to "Show Additional Download Offers" to choose to download the software without additional software bundles or "junk ware").

3) You will need the ability create, edit, and optimize web graphics. I recommended PhotoShop or Fireworks (if you have access to them), but, again, you do not have to purchase software to be successful in the class. A good, powerful open source option is GIMP. Or, you might be able to get by with online tools that can accomplish graphics editing. One good such tool that mimics many of the features of Photoshop is Pixrl.

• GIMP: http://www.gimp.org
• Pixrl: http://pixlr.com

4) You need to have the latest versions of a web browser (I recommend that you updated to the latest version of Firefox or Chrome) with the Flash player installed. I also recommend that you install the Web Developer Toolbar extension, which aids in web development.

• Latest version of Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/
• Latest version of the Flash player: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
  
• Web Developer Toolbar for Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/web-developer/

Q: Can I use Adobe software?
A: Yes. Adobe makes the industry's most popular web design and graphics software and it is not my intent to restrict the software tools that you can use in the class. But, our class is about learning web design using HTML and CSS. It's not about software (software tools are part of the focus of MAT 165 - Web Design 2: Tools and Techniques). You can use the Adobe Creative Cloud tools if you wish, but know that they are not required. If you do choose to use Dreamweaver, your focus should be learning how to code HTML and CSS within Dreamweaver's "code view."

Q: Where should I buy Adobe software if I want to?
A: Adobe offers student(education) subscriptions to their Creative Cloud for $19.99/month (or $219 with an annual commitement). Creative Cloud subscriptions include access to nearly every application that Adobe makes, including Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Flash. Once you have a membership, you can download any application you wish to use and install it on your computers (you do not need to be online to use the software). You can access both the CC and older CS6 versions of the software with a cloud subscription. If you intend to take several classes in the Media Arts & Technologies (MAT) department, having access to the full creative cloud software suite on your own computer is useful (but the library is always an option).

Q: Is the software available for me to use on campus?
A: Yes. Copies of the Brackets, Komodo Edit, the Adobe Creative Cloud, and other software will be available in the Library (HUB) on both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses. So, you do have the option of working in the library.

Q: How can I find out my grades in the class?
A: Login to Canvas and click on the My Grades link. Canvas will be used for the gradebook and announcements.

Q: What are project grades based on?
A: Project grades are based on the quality of your work in the following areas: content/concept, form, function, and technique. In this class, there is a greater emphasis on coding techniques, but each area is important for a successful website. For information on the specific grading considerations related to each of these areas, see Making the Grade.

Q: How do I turn in my exercises and projects?
A: You will turn in your work by uploading it to the MAT web server using FTP (for details on how to use an FTP client and login to the server see Publishing Instructions and FTP Info for the MAT Server ). You can check that you have successfully uploaded your work, put in in the correct file location, and used the correct naming conventions by visiting the Index of Student Work and clicking on the link to your project or exercise.

Q: Can I redo my projects to improve my grade and/or for extra credit?
A: Students turning in projects on time can request to redo the project for some extra credit. The extra credit they earn is up to 1/2 of the missed points on the project/exercise. For example, a student getting 40 out of 50 points on an exercise can earn up to 5 extra credit points for a redo... (10 missed points x 1/2). Essentially, I regrade the project, divide the difference of the two grades by 2, and then add that many points as extra credit. You'll notice that with this formula, it behooves you to do quality work from the get go.

Q: Do you accept late work?
A: Yes, but late projects will be graded down by one full letter grade for each week late. Plus, once you get behind, it's difficult to catch up. Moreover, if you don't complete project's on time, you may not get feedback on the work you did from your classmates. The final project will not be accepted late.

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