Newest Novice

Hello everyone!

I'm wondering if I'm even near ready to use a web forum like this one yet (or ever). Most of what I read here goes over my head in spite of having spent several months reading about web design. I opened my first account and registered a domain name last February 22nd and have been working on web pages since then.

The experience is extremely humbling since it leaves me with so many, many questions that I don't even know where to begin. Obviously people aren't born knowing how to do create web sites. Maybe some (or most) take classes. I'm turned off by paying for classes since every technological type of class I've been in has been useless for answering my questions. The sole source of my education has come from either off the internet or books. The number one question which repeats itself from this method of learning is, "What does that mean?"
Without someone to answer such questions for me, I find myself taking eternity to learn small amounts. The biggest reason it has taken me over 10 years just to understand computers and Windows operating systems is because of the massive time spent on fixing problems I created because of having to learn the hard way (trial and error). It doesn't help either to have a memory like a sieve. Painful experiences seem to be the key to remembering things, but I'm getting rather nauseated over that method and am hoping a forum like this might provide some relief.

I think it should help me if others shared their experiences on how they began, especially if they can recall their days before they even knew what HTML was.
I also wonder if it is possible to know if someone (like myself) is attempting to do something (like being a web designer) that really is a thing they should stay away from. I ask this because my goal is to design web pages (for those who don't even want to go near a computer to do it themselves): fast, simple, basic, easiest to use by anyone, least expensive, etc. The problem is my brain doesn't work simple. I struggle very hard with what other people pick up easy, but once passing a point where others begin to struggle to understand something...I begin to find as things get more complicated, they get easier for me to understand.

If I had the courage to show you a web site I began recently, you would quickly see how I appear retarded and incapable of doing a nice site. Unfortunately that site needs a lot more explanation behind it before I could display it publically (even if I got the courage to do it).

So, fellow designers...can there be a place for someone like myself here at this forum? Please feel free to be honest. I can take it, especially since I'm used to hearing a lot of criticism.

Yep
Remember theres two sides to web design, the programming and the graphics. Not everyone is good at both so just stick with it and im sure you will get there

Welcome to the forums.

sypher,

Thank you for the encouragement! My biggest battle is discouragement and lack of confidence.

This is the best advice, for learning any subject, really. I`m a teacher (music) of many years. Students who keep practicing invariably keep improving.

The ppl here have helped me a lot. Just post a query in the appropriate forum. If there`s room for me here, there certainly is room for you too.

No wonder old-fashioned advice remains classic! I know the advice of sticking with it is exactly what I need to hear (thanks much!). The best part of those words is that I don't feel discouraged over wondering, "what does that mean?" I guess that's why such sayings as, "you only fail when you quit trying to succeed," are used so often (it's reality)! Now, the next challenge ahead is battling the temptation to write too much. I admire those with the habit to be brief and to the point.

exactly!

we have here the friendliest forums on the subject, ive browsed many and they are full of "n00bers"

i personally think we should add that to our swear word list.

anyway, like people have said, stick with it. for a while you will think that your never going to learn it, and then one day the penny drops - and you wonder why you ever got confused.
you have a massive forum of people more then willing to lend a hand. youll never be "stuck" just, delayed in solving the problem!