Finding Resources

[foxfirefey]

Class Notes

Class has still been pretty quiet on the CSS learning front, but it's time to move on.

You can always look at the syllabus to see where we are. Our previous class was the second part of the lesson HTML and CSS overview; Examining with browser developer tools. Next week, we will review the foundation of core2 layouts.

Lesson Readings

So, this week I want you to find some resources you might want to use for your layout. There's a list started here:

Style Making Resources

Feel free to suggest your favorites--for instance, I'm not sure what the landscape of image hosting is currently like since I have my own webhost.

Exercises

I want you to think about the following:

• The color scheme for your layout. You'll need foregrounds (for text), backgrounds, and accent colors for things like links. If you are making an S2 layout, I recommend two sets of color schemes: one dark on light and one light on dark, to give you the best base to work from.
• Graphics you might want to use--backgrounds, accents, etc
• The positioning of layout elements you want to aim for--sidebars, no sidebars? What's in the header?

I totally recommend you chatter in comments about things you're thinking about and what you find that you like, along with giving your favorite resource recommendations.

Comments

[snakeling]

I want to port this WP layout to DW. I like that it's different :)

A lot of the design decisions have been made for me, ha! I'm going to try and make it as flexible as I can, though.

[foxfirefey]

That looks like an interesting challenge! I look forward to seeing your project.

[melyanna]

Huh. Is it possible to do drop-down menus in LJ or DW layouts? I'd sort of assumed it wasn't.

(I'd actually love to be able to hide sidebar modules in drop-down menus – there's utility in having them right there on the page, but I find them visually distracting. Probably just me, though.)

[seleneheart]

I have my tags on my LJ in a drop down menu on the sidebar, so I'm sure the other elements could be done the same way on the theme layer.

[ninetydegrees]

If I remember well it's something like:

.module-content {
height: 5em;
overflow: auto;
}

[seleneheart]

Doesn't that turn it into a scroll rather than a drop down? Or I could be confused.

[ninetydegrees]

*facepalm* You're right! I'm the one who was confused. :)

[phoenix]

It's possible - search for 'css dropdown menus' and look for those that don't use any Javascript or Flash. It's not a well supported technique in older browsers (IE6 or earlier), but for your own journal you mostly need care about the browser(s) you use.