Week Four (MGDP2050)
Lecture notes and exercises for Week Four of Web Design and Development II (MGDP2050).
See also Week Three (MGDP2050) - Week Five (MGDP2050).
- February 2 class cancelled due to winter weather
- Continue working on your Week Three (and previous) exercises
- February 9 is the new Week Four
Contents
In the news
Safari browser crash
Java browser plugin deprecated
Deprecation is discouragement from using a feature, without actually removing the feature (for the time being).
- This is important for backward compatibility, among other reasons.
See also Plug-in (computing).
Do not confuse Java with JavaScript. They are different, unrelated programming languages.
Smart bear hacked
Review from previous weeks
Human factors
- User (computing)
- User interface design
- Graphical user interface (GUI)
- Usability
- Web usability
- User experience (UX)
- User research
- Accessibility
- Web accessibility
- Proof of concept
- Prototype
- Mockup
- Website wireframe
Class web server
The class web server is located here:
The example home page is located here:
Your student home page will be located like this:
See Navigation bar.
Class web server credentials
You will need FTP credentials:
- Host
- Username
- Password
- Subfolder
Instructor will provide these credentials.
Secure your credentials:
- Keep secret
- Do not share
- Be respectful other students and instructor, this is a shared FTP account
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
File Transfer Protocol (or simply FTP) is a widely-used protocol for transferring files across computer networks.
FTP consists of two programs:
The FTP server has two tasks:
- Receive uploaded files from clients
- Send downloaded files to clients
FTP servers are typically associated with web servers. If you have a web server account, you probably have an FTP account to go with it.
The FTP client has two tasks:
- Upload files to server
- Download files from server
In this course, we will use FTP clients to upload and download files.
- We will not download, install, or work directly with FTP servers
FTP clients
Many FTP clients are available. All do essentially the same thing.
For this class, You may use any FTP client you like.
FileZilla
FileZilla is a popular FTP client:
- Free and open source
- Available for Mac, Windows, Linux
FileZilla uses a two-panel display:
- Local files (on your computer)
- Remote files (on web server)
Fetch
Fetch is available for Mac only.
- Fetch uses a single window to display remote (web server) files
- Use a Mac Finder window to display local (your computer) files
Exercises: in class
FTP
Use an FTP client of your choice to upload your class files to the class web server.
Be sure you upload your work to the correct remote sub-folder!
View your work in a browser of your choice.
- Test the links, make sure everything works correctly
- Make sure all of your pages have appropriates titles
- Make sure your styles are consistent across pages
Exercises: for next week
Finish (or improve) previous exercises
Finish any unfinished exercises from previous weeks, and improve anything you thing needs improvement.
Bootstrap
...
Upload to server
Finish any unfinished exercises from previous weeks, and improve anything you thing needs improvement.
Browse online, test your work
Browse your work on the class web server.
Use two (or more different) devices to browse your work:
- Phone
- Tablet
- Laptop/desktop
Make sure your content is readable. Change your custom CSS rules as necessary.
make sure all links work.
Instructor will review everything before class next week.
