[thelist] HTML is not enough [WAS: A Beginner Freelance Question]

Brian Delaney brian.delaney at mccmh.net
Wed Jul 21 15:52:00 CDT 2004


How about if a guy knows, html, css, asp, js, sql dba, complete 
networking, and security, etc, etc.?



Tom Dell'Aringa wrote:

>--- Casey Crookston <casey at thecrookstons.com> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Burhan's example is perfect: he needs PHP developers, not simple HTML
>>editors.
>>    
>>
>
>I'll add my .29 cents to Casey's as well, he is absolutely correct. When I started "back in the
>day" (man how overused is that phrase?) I learned HTML, then CSS (what there was of it in 1995,
>not much) then JavaScript. But even that wasn't enough to get on ahead. When I began learning
>server-side scripting and SQL/DB I became 10x more employable (and got the best job of my career
>at that point.)
>
>If you want to make a living as a "web person" I'd say your *minimum* skillset needs to be:
>
>EXPERT in: HTML, CSS
>HIGHLY Competent in: Server side scripting - more the merrier (php, asp, jsp), JavaScript
>Able to get around (or better) in: SQL, Relational Databases
>
>Other:
>--------
>Depending on what you are going after, you need to know more. If you are going towards the front
>end of the spectrum (where I am) you need to know basic Information Architecture principles, sound
>UI principles, user experience principles and user testing. You should know how to write and
>communicate well. You better know how to *hand-code* to perfection. You better be able to work on
>3 projects at the same time - and deliver them all on time. You need to be a problem solver and be
>able to improvise and even sometimes innnovate. 
>
>If you want to be more on the engineer side, it's worse :) (Glad I ain't there).
>
>Sound like a lot? It is. Too many people think knowing HTML gets them a cush job somewhere, and
>that it's all they need to know (and a smattering of CSS). The reality is the dot com fall brought
>about a spreading of responsibility to us web folks. You are no longer in a narrow, tightly
>focused position. You now have to be able to hit to all fields.
>
>For people who can do that, there are jobs out there, full time and contract for you. You can make
>a living. For those who can't, be ready for a stream of $20/hour (or less) contract jobs and
>$21,000 a year job offers and bidding on "freelance" web sites for jobs that will make you
>$5/hour.
>
>Sorry if this might have sounded like a rant - not intentional :) But it's good to get a reality
>check sometimes. I got one early on in my career and it saved me, allowed me to continue working.
>You *can't* stop learning! You have to know more than just HTML and even CSS. I'm sure I've left a
>lot out. 
>
>For some people this will scare you away - and for some people this will spur you on - I hope your
>the latter :)
>
>Tom
>
>
>
>=====
>http://www.Pixelmech.com/ - read my latest blog posting!
>
>John 3:16
>
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