Hello everyone!
I’ve finally launched my new portfolio website. From here on out if you’d like to read more of my posts you can visit the website as the blog is there now. Thanks everyone!
~Rebekah
Hello everyone!
I’ve finally launched my new portfolio website. From here on out if you’d like to read more of my posts you can visit the website as the blog is there now. Thanks everyone!
~Rebekah
So it’s been a while since I’ve written here. That’s because I’ve been so crazy busy lately that it’s insane. I think this is the busiest I’ve ever been. But today I’m going to write about my experiences working in the New Media industry.
Around the time when my third term started here at BCIT, I was beginning to think I was going to have sketchy chances of finding a company who would take me on as an intern for my requirements at school. I worried about it way too much. Fourth term rolled around and I ended up with 3 interviews for internships. The one that I was hoping for, was the one I got. And I couldn’t be happier with the place I’m working at. I’m currently a proud intern of Fjord Interactive Marketing + Technology and I absolutely LOVE it. The people I work with there are the most amazing people ever. None of them ever make me feel stupid or that any question I have are unnecessary. The people I work with are Ricky, Jax, Andre, Jonesy, Dana, Brad, T.Y., Berger, Joelle, Flor, Heather, Chris, Marcel, Kirsty, Chelsea, Selma, Sean, Steve, and Tara – and they are the greatest people ever – they’re all easy going and fun, they help me with whatever I need, and they make me feel included in everything we do. I dread the day when I have to calculate the final hours of my internship requirements. Although if they need me and want me I’ll stay longer than anything required just because I love being there and working with them all so much. I could see myself staying there but I won’t get my hopes up, it’s better to set expectations low so that you aren’t disappointed right?
Working at Fjord has brought to reality all the things our instructors have taught us about the applications of the things they’re teaching and about the new media industry in general, especially about dealing with clients. I’ve learned what it’s like to work in an office with other people doing the things they love to do and exactly how every single detail counts in everything you do. I’ve also learned tons about the applications of the programs we use and how the most efficient ways of doing things are – and I’ve learned a few tips and tricks too. But believe me when I say I still have A FREAKIN’ LOT left to learn. After all, I’ve only been doing this for almost a year now – and I have the rest of my life to get pro at it. My goal for 10-15 years from now is to be a technical director like Dana – someone who knows tons about coding and knows all the tricks in the book about making things work. Dana’s knowledge is amazing – but I’m sure he’s been doing this for a very long time. I like being the one people come to with questions, the one people look to when they need help or want an opinion or advice. It will take a lot of work and it will be a while, but that’s definitely something I’m aiming for. One day. I promise.
So last night I attended the 2nd Vancouver Facebook Developer Garage and I was actually very impressed. Nobody presented any lame apps like the Zombies or What Color Are You? that are completely useless. All of the 11 applications presented had some sort of useful purpose to them and were developed very well. The presentations given were as follows:
My favourite presentation was that of “These Are My Kids”. It seemed as though it was very well developed and that they had put a lot of thought into the entire idea. I suggest you check it out and if you’re a parent, add it once it’s released, because it looks to be very useful. As for an application I would add myself I’d probably choose the”Mixx Maker”, which is an application which allows you to make your own mixes or playlists and allows your friends to add to them as well. I’d also probably use “I’m Reading” and “Eat-A-Rama” just because they’re cool and I definitely probably use them on a regular basis. All in all it was a great night. Lot’s of good developing going on and all for a good cause – we’d like to think anyway. If I remember more that I’d like to bring up later then I’ll blog about it again. But that’s all for now. Have a sweet day/evening. Drive safe in all that snow here in the lower mainland!
Rebekah Out.
So it seems Facebook is the way of the future. Anyone who wants to try and be their competition (if they weren’t to begin with – like MySpace) then I commend them for their bravery. But alas, I hope the competition is prepared to be shot down. I myself have not created a facebook application yet. Note that word yet. Although I’m not a big fan of facebook applications as they clutter up the profile and such I do think that it is a great learning experience and an awesome thing to include in a portfolio. I mean come on, think about it… you go to apply for some sort of web job and you say “yeah I also created a couple facebook applications” that makes you instantly cool and jump starts your interviewers interest in you – because it is so popular and so “in” right now. Although my facebook application development is still in the “yet” stage I plan on attending the Vancouver Facebook Garage to expand my knowledge about the back-end part of this uber-popular social networking extravaganza. And best of all it’s FREE. Do I have your attention yet? I said… FREE!!! So get outta the house and learn something new – attend the Vancouver Facebook Garage. I’ll blog about it after I attend of course. But still, experience it first hand! For more information you can go to their Wiki or check out the Facebook event page. And yes, in case you were wondering, I DO have a facebook profile – and it’s very cluttered with applications right now, that would make sense hm? Hope to see a great turnout for this event! It should be tons of fun and lots of good learnin’!
I recently wrote a research paper for one of my classes at BCIT on a topic of our choice. I chose the topic of the changing ways of layout in HTML over the years. I called it the Fall of Tables. However I cannot take credit for that title – the ingenious idea for the paper and the title were that of my good friend Michael Breuer. So, thanks Mike! I’m not quite prepared to post parts of this essay yet – but as soon as it’s returned to me by my teacher then I’ll be posting my opinion on HTML layout and how it should be done. However for now,
Down With Tables!
Long Live CSS!
It is now time for me to begin a blog about what I plan my career will be. I intend to continue this blog well into my career and help others the best way I can in spreading knowledge about the web and technology as it advances in our world today.
The topic today, are something called Drawers. They are created with CSS and Javascript and they’ve provided a great many obstacles for me. The code however is simple and easy to implement. However I highly suggest that if you try using Drawers that you first learn how to do it on a simple, clean slate of an HTML page. Trying to implement drawers into an already designed website can be cumbersome and you may realize if you don’t already know how drawers work that it may not be possible to do what you want it to. The full tutorial for this Drawers technique can be found within Issue 169 of the Practical Web Design magazine (from the makers of .net). The main idea behind drawers is that you can show and hide content using Javascript by activating and deactivating div’s using the command ‘onclick’ . The headings are linked icons or text for toggling the drawer open and closed so that the content can be displayed and hidden.
Drawers are great because a lot of times you may have a lot content on your website and not a lot of room on the screen for the all the information you want to have available. Drawers can be used in many different ways, and it is up to each developer as to how they use them and for what purpose. They are definitely a new, sleek way of presenting the information on the web using only CSS and Javascript.
Until next time,
Rebekah Renford