Readings for 11-1 - 11-7

HTML Tutorial
Even though I have been exposed to the basic elements of HTML in at least two of my classes this semester, I found this tutorial to be helpful in further explaining the basics, as well as going into further detail about the components of HTML.  I fully understand the concept of HTML as a markup language as opposed to a programming language.  I found the examples within the tutrorial very useful because it provided a visual guide, which helps me understand the material even better.  I also thought the tutorial did a good job of explaining the various tags, icluding citations, quotations, and definitions.  For example, <abbr> for abbreviation, <address> fo contact information about authors or owners of a documents, etc.  The only concern I have after reading this tutorial is that it seems very time consuming and tedious when actually writing the information. 

CSS Tutorial
Cascadin Style Sheets are a completely new concept to me.  However, this tutorial did a good job of explaining the basics of what CSS's are and what they do.  The basic funtion of CSS's, from what I gather, are to help define how to display HTML elements.  Since HTML was never intended to contain tags for formatting a document, Cascading Style Sheets are used to do this, which saves a lot of time.  For example, when a large web site includes fonts and colors for each individual page, these sheets could remove the formatting from the HTML document and store them in separate sheets.  Thus, when they need to format fonts and styles, they could just use the information within the sheets and easily upload them to the page.  Finally, the tutorial explained the two main parts of CSS syntax: the selector and the declarations.  The selector is usually the HTML element you want to style and the declarations include the properties and values of the fonts and colors you want to change.

HTML Cheatsheet Guide
The most important thing I can say about this document is that I will be using it throughout the rest of my time at the University of Pittsburgh (haha.)  I love the fact that this cheatsheet presents all the basic elements when dealing with HTML.  Also, I am almost sure that I will have to use HTML in the future (both at Pitt and at my job), so I am thankful a chestsheet like this exists that will help me when I encounter HTML in the future.

Beyond HTML Article
According to this article, CMS (content management systems) are starting to be used more frequently in libraries across the United States.  Apparently, it is a better system for collecting, managing, and publishing content.  Many libraries are adopting this method because they want to reduce the "gatekeeper" mentality by reducing barriers that limit library staff from contributing to various web sites.  However, CMS also allows basic "gatekeeping" processes by restricting access to people as well.  From what I gathered from the reading, CMS is important because it can give the system a level of customization that can help reduce the sense of the perceieved loss of creativity, professional expression, etc.  It also seems to be much less structured than the HTML based systems, which could help in the creation of web sites.  However, it seems that the major detraction of CMS is that there is additional training required in order to grasp the technology, especially if a person is used to the HTML-based systems.