14 DAY TRIAL // Opera's representatives have decided to put an end to the ignorance that defines a prominent part of the Internet users. With their "Opera Web Standards Curriculum," a collection of more than 50 articles, some of which are yet to be published, everyone will know the basics of ''standards-based web development, including HTML, CSS, design principles and background theory, and JavaScript.'' The author, Chris Mills, is a developer relations manager for Opera and is known for his readiness to ''preach'' Opera's products to as many people as possible.
The first 23 articles were published today, the rest of 30+ being scheduled to be brought to light until late September. The introduction of the course makes it clear that its purpose is to teach practically anyone interested, from university students and teachers, to younger students, web designers/developers, trainers from inside the companies and anyone else who might show curiosity in the matter.
The following contents provided by Opera talk about the history of Internet, web standard models, information architecture, give color and typography tips, describe HTML features, including lesser known semantic elements and more.
The project relies on the support that Yahoo! along with some reputed universities around the globe are providing for it. Sophie Major, Manager of Yahoo! Developer Network International, speaks highly of the initiative whose purpose is to entertain the users in a life-long learning program without difficult tasks. ''The Opera Web Standards Curriculum delivers exactly the spread of knowledge Yahoo! would expect a front-end developer to know,'' says the executive.
The program is also seen as a meter for professional performance, drawing the guidelines of what students really do need to know when standing in front of their professors. ''Web development and design are ever evolving professions. Anyone teaching these subjects must ask themselves if they are equipping their students with best practices or burdening them with impractical methodologies,'' says Glenda Sims, Senior Systems Analyst at the University of Texas.