Introduction to Course

1
Introduction to Course

• MMIS 656 Web Design Technologies

2
Introduction

• James T. Dollens, Ph.D.
• Adjunct Professor
• Contact
• dollensj_at_nsu.nova.edu
• Website
• http//scis.nova.edu/dollensj

3
My Background

• BS Mathematics
• MS Computer Science
• Ph. D. (Information Systems)
• Industry experience
• Software and Management Consulting.
• Research Interests Information systems security

4
Introductions and Expectations

• By way of introduction, post the following
  information to the course forum
• Your name
• Your status in the program
• The type of work you are in
• Experience with web technologies
• Web development tools you have used

5
Course Goals

• An understanding of principles of technical web
  design.
• Methods for evaluating effectiveness of web
  sites.
• Planning, analysis, design and implementation of
  web sites.
• Skills with client-side technologies HTML,
  DHTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Dynamic, data-driven web sites and associated
  development skills.

6
Approach

• Web Design Overview
• Client-side Technologies
• Server-side Technologies
• Comprehensive Project

7
Not Part of this Course

• Graphic design and composition
• Browser incompatibility
• Image file formats and creation
• Complex application programming

8
Assumptions on Student Background

• No programming experience assumed
• Any prior experience is helpful
• Due to variable computing level of students, we
  will start with the basics
• But we move very fast
• Optional material will be provided for
  technically advanced students (tentative)

9
Software Tools

• On campus, Dreamweaver Ultradev 4 will be used.
• At home, students can choose any tool (e.g.,
  FrontPage), although Dreamweaver is preferred.
• On SCIS server, Cold Fusion will be available
• You will most likely need some database software
  such as MS Access 2000 which is also available on
  campus.

10
Hand Coding

• That is, writing code using a text editor
• Exercises dealing with Cold Fusion will require
  some hand coding
• Client-side development (HTML, CSS) can be done
  using a tool.
• This, not much hand coding required.

11
Textbook

• Author Niederst, Jennifer
• Title Web Design in a Nutshell , Third Edition
  (February 2006)
• ISBN 0-596-00987-9
• Additional reading material is provided via the
  course website.

12
Assignments and Grading
9 Programming Exercises 75
Final Project 25
Total 100
13
Due Dates

• Homework Exercises
• Assigned weekly with a suggested due date.
  Exercises submitted by the suggested due date
  will be reviewed and graded within one week.
  (Recommended)
• Exercises must be submitted electronically via
  ESET. If a web page is created, then post the URL
  in ESET.
• Include your name, course number, email userid
  (_at_nova only), and assignment number on each paper
  submitted.

14
Due Dates

• Final Project
• Due on Last day of Classes (no exceptions)
• The URL should be posted to ESET.
• On campus students to present your website to the
  class on Last In-Class Meeting.
• Details on the project are on the course Web site.

15
Submitting Exercises

• Exercises are web pages you design. If I know the
  URL, I can grade it.
• Procedure
• After you complete an exercise, enter the URL in
  ESET.
• If a URL is entered in ESET, I will assume it is
  ready to be graded.
• No need to send an email indicating completion of
  an exercise.

16
E-Mail and Class Forums

• The best way to contact me for questions and
  problems is dollensj_at_nsu.nova.edu
• When you send an e-mail, please include the
  following information
• Name and Course
• A forum thread will be established for class
  discussion. I will monitor this regularly.

17
Course Website

• All course materials will be available via the
  course website
• The login and password emailed to you will give
  you access to the class notes portion of the
  site.
• The course outline page will be updated regularly
  with links to course notes, handouts, and
  additional readings as they are made available to
  you in class.