Comments for NSDesign Blog http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog interesting thoughts and other stuff... Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:07:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Are our Universities teaching relevant web design skills? by NSDesign Blog » Blog Archive » Opera Web Standards Curriculum http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-164 NSDesign Blog » Blog Archive » Opera Web Standards Curriculum Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:52:11 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-164 [...] on from my earlier blog post about universities not teaching relevant web design skills, Opera and Yahoo apparently feel the same, and have come together to launch the Web Standards [...] [...] on from my earlier blog post about universities not teaching relevant web design skills, Opera and Yahoo apparently feel the same, and have come together to launch the Web Standards [...]

]]> Comment on Help improve web accessibility within the EU by admin http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/07/improve-accessability-within-the-eu/#comment-149 admin Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:59:38 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/?p=42#comment-149 Well... we didn't win, but to be honest - we didn't expect to. When you're up against the <a href="http://www.iwf.org.uk/" rel="nofollow">Internet Watch Foundation</a> (A massive organisation which aims to eradicate uk child porn - Backed by both the EU and UK government)... little old NSDesign didn't really stand a chance - but it great to be recognised: "The judges commended NSDesign as a great example of a UK enterprise that has taken the drive for continuous improvement to heart." Well… we didn’t win, but to be honest - we didn’t expect to. When you’re up against the Internet Watch Foundation (A massive organisation which aims to eradicate uk child porn - Backed by both the EU and UK government)… little old NSDesign didn’t really stand a chance - but it great to be recognised:

“The judges commended NSDesign as a great example of a UK enterprise that has taken the drive for continuous improvement to heart.”

]]> Comment on Are our Universities teaching relevant web design skills? by web design st george utah http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-141 web design st george utah Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:39:30 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-141 This does not seem completely new at all. It always seems that people who are being taught any kind of technology in school do not keep up with the changing industry. Plus the industries are merging together more and more. You have to know about the changing search engines and marketing strategies to incorporate into the design of a website. If you don't have good structure then you will have bad results marketing your site. This does not seem completely new at all. It always seems that people who are being taught any kind of technology in school do not keep up with the changing industry. Plus the industries are merging together more and more. You have to know about the changing search engines and marketing strategies to incorporate into the design of a website. If you don’t have good structure then you will have bad results marketing your site.

]]> Comment on A domain name for Scotland? by Martin Creative http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/03/a-domain-name-for-scotland/#comment-140 Martin Creative Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:27:16 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/03/a-domain-name-for-scotland/#comment-140 Interesting, did you see the news today that brands could possibly have their own domains. .tesco, .chivas etc. The cost a measly few thousand pounds! Crazyness. Even though, the domain squatters would have a field day. Interesting, did you see the news today that brands could possibly have their own domains.

.tesco, .chivas etc. The cost a measly few thousand pounds! Crazyness. Even though, the domain squatters would have a field day.

]]> Comment on Are our Universities teaching relevant web design skills? by Matthew Bennetton http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-136 Matthew Bennetton Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:19:07 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-136 I am hoping to start a University Degree in Web Design and Development in September, I have also had these concerns. I have found a course that looks excellent, on the Open Day the course lecturers spoke about keeping the course up-to-date with the latest web standards and technologies. They openly admitted that by the time we finish the degree, most of the stuff we have been taught, won’t be relevant. What they did say is that they will teach us the logic behind programming and the principles of design. This will enables us to adapt to the changes in the industry and teach ourselves new technologies as they come along. I don’t think there will ever be a perfect Web Design and Development course, this industry moves so fast that the best course in the world will not be 100% relevant in three years time. Life as a web designer is hard work, you never stop learning. I am hoping to start a University Degree in Web Design and Development in September, I have also had these concerns. I have found a course that looks excellent, on the Open Day the course lecturers spoke about keeping the course up-to-date with the latest web standards and technologies. They openly admitted that by the time we finish the degree, most of the stuff we have been taught, won’t be relevant. What they did say is that they will teach us the logic behind programming and the principles of design. This will enables us to adapt to the changes in the industry and teach ourselves new technologies as they come along.

I don’t think there will ever be a perfect Web Design and Development course, this industry moves so fast that the best course in the world will not be 100% relevant in three years time.

Life as a web designer is hard work, you never stop learning.

]]> Comment on Google hosts Javascript frameworks by pomarc http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/google-hosts-javascript-frameworks/#comment-129 pomarc Thu, 29 May 2008 20:50:46 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/google-hosts-javascript-frameworks/#comment-129 Thanks for the tip, this is truly useful. Thanks for the tip, this is truly useful.

]]> Comment on Free T-shirts - Listen to Win! by admin http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/04/free-t-shirts-listen-to-win/#comment-111 admin Fri, 16 May 2008 11:05:14 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/04/free-t-shirts-listen-to-win/#comment-111 Thanks to those who phoned in and blagged a free Tshirt. We've a few left, so even if you havn't heard the advert - give us a shout and if you sound nice and tell us a funny joke, you can have one ;) Thanks to those who phoned in and blagged a free Tshirt. We’ve a few left, so even if you havn’t heard the advert - give us a shout and if you sound nice and tell us a funny joke, you can have one ;)

]]> Comment on Are our Universities teaching relevant web design skills? by admin http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-110 admin Fri, 16 May 2008 11:02:50 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-110 Hi Fiona, Your story is one I've heard a few times recently, and the OU certainly do seem to have a good reputation for keeping it relevant. I personally think that while the "bit of paper" is important, it's not the be-all and end-all. This industry is primarily skills based, and we certainly spend more time looking at a candidate's skill-set (and potential "on-the-job learning of new skills etc) than we do looking at the qualifications. Of course the ideal candidate has both, but I certainly don't think that you'd be passed over in favour of someone just because they've got the "degree". Best of luck to you in your career. Hi Fiona,
Your story is one I’ve heard a few times recently, and the OU certainly do seem to have a good reputation for keeping it relevant. I personally think that while the “bit of paper” is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all. This industry is primarily skills based, and we certainly spend more time looking at a candidate’s skill-set (and potential “on-the-job learning of new skills etc) than we do looking at the qualifications. Of course the ideal candidate has both, but I certainly don’t think that you’d be passed over in favour of someone just because they’ve got the “degree”.

Best of luck to you in your career.

]]> Comment on Are our Universities teaching relevant web design skills? by Fiona B http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-109 Fiona B Fri, 16 May 2008 10:51:24 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/05/are-our-universities-teaching-relevant-web-design-skills/#comment-109 Hi I stumbled across this blog and found your comments quite interesting. I recently did just what you are suggesting(more or less), interview them. After working in the public sector for years I had planned to go back to university and re train, but when it came down to looking at the individual institutions and where to apply to,it seemed to me that many of the courses were not as up to date as possible. After researching industry needs I actually opted for Open University as the course on offer with them was more industry specific. The course im doing is the certificate in web aplication development. Its good, relevant and fast paced and at times can be heavy going with work and other commitments. Despite this its well structured and students are encouraged to keep themselves up to date with recent developments. Heavy emphasis on correct markup, css and standards etc. (they did cover s, but only to advise(basically against them) :-) ) I am hoping that the choice I have made with my course will stand me in good stead, but my main concern is that although the course may be more industry related it is a university certificate course, not a degree. My other concern has to be that although my knowledge and the teaching I have recieved might be more up to date than another student with a degree from a full time uni course, will I still be passed over on the grounds that their qualification is a degree and mine is not...............................? Is it a timescale thing with a degree, with technology moving at such a fast pace? is three to four years too much lie time? and so it is harder to keep the course material in date? Perhaps shorter, more specific courses are more suited? Or perhaps if we go that way students will begin to lack in the fundamental basics of their skills that they are tought in the first year or two of their degree? I empathise with mr x above who said he went to uni just for the piece of paper to say he could do it, and i think many of us ( myself included) do look at it a bit like that, as there is a notion you need that piece of paper before you will be considered for a job. Is this the case though? or is it just what people are led to believe? Its a difficult one really............................................ Hi I stumbled across this blog and found your comments quite interesting.
I recently did just what you are suggesting(more or less), interview them. After working in the public sector for years I had planned to go back to university and re train, but when it came down to looking at the individual institutions and where to apply to,it seemed to me that many of the courses were not as up to date as possible. After researching industry needs I actually opted for Open University as the course on offer with them was more industry specific. The course im doing is the certificate in web aplication development. Its good, relevant and fast paced and at times can be heavy going with work and other commitments. Despite this its well structured and students are encouraged to keep themselves up to date with recent developments. Heavy emphasis on correct markup, css and standards etc. (they did cover s, but only to advise(basically against them) :-) )
I am hoping that the choice I have made with my course will stand me in good stead, but my main concern is that although the course may be more industry related it is a university certificate course, not a degree. My other concern has to be that although my knowledge and the teaching I have recieved might be more up to date than another student with a degree from a full time uni course, will I still be passed over on the grounds that their qualification is a degree and mine is not………………………….?
Is it a timescale thing with a degree, with technology moving at such a fast pace? is three to four years too much lie time? and so it is harder to keep the course material in date?
Perhaps shorter, more specific courses are more suited? Or perhaps if we go that way students will begin to lack in the fundamental basics of their skills that they are tought in the first year or two of their degree?
I empathise with mr x above who said he went to uni just for the piece of paper to say he could do it, and i think many of us ( myself included) do look at it a bit like that, as there is a notion you need that piece of paper before you will be considered for a job. Is this the case though? or is it just what people are led to believe?

Its a difficult one really……………………………………..

]]> Comment on The Apple iPod Touch just got even better! by admin http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/01/the-apple-ipod-touch-just-get-even-better/#comment-94 admin Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:09:54 +0000 http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/blog/2008/01/the-apple-ipod-touch-just-get-even-better/#comment-94 Update: Skyhook have made it even easier to submit your details: http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php Update: Skyhook have made it even easier to submit your details:
http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php

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