3 Sites for Learning to Make Web Pages

Code Academy

Code Academy is pretty cool. I stumbled on it a couple years ago  when I was on the hunt to do some self teaching. This site not only teaches HTML and CSS but it also dives into Java, Python, PHP, jQuery, and Ruby. It also has tutorials on how make your own websites, interactive websites, apps, and Ruby Authentications. I haven't dived into much more than the Java aspect of this sites services. The cool part about this site is its really coursework oriented. You have lessons your read to educate yourself on the logic and then exercises to practice what you have learned. You literally get to start compiling code within the first 20 minutes of starting a course! Pretty exciting! The best part about all of this is that it is absolutely free. 

Below is an example of Code Academies Layout

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is one of the most amazing academic resources I use for all my schooling, especially math. This site literally hosts in depth topics on nearly everything in relation to Academia. In relation to this blog though, they have a pretty extensive section on Computer Programming. Their curriculum is very similar to Code Academy in that they have material for you to read and exercises for you to complete. The main difference here is that Khan Academy heavily relies on tutorial videos more so then a page full of verbiage to look at and retain. I prefer this approach as I am more of a hands on learner. The videos really help me visualize the information I am learning. Just like Code Academy, Kahn Academy is free, though they do accept donations.

Below are some examples of the pics offered and the course layout.

A to Z CSS

I just found A to Z CSS while looking for a new coding tutorial site. I looked over about 10 different ones aside from the ones I already knew that are listed above. This one stuck out honestly because the web page was themed to my liking. As I delved a bit deeper in how the site operates I discovered that this site is based upon  tutorial videos. Its nice because the site has your first assess your skill level, for me I chose beginner. It then has a group of videos that they have chosen for the beginner section which will get you prepared for next section, all  the way up to advanced. The sites videos are extremely intuitive and easy to follow. This site comes close to Kahn Academy and Code Academy in its usability except it doesn't offer any kind of exercises to practice what you have learned. Which in my opinion is a bit of  draw back.

Below are some screenshots of the A to Z CSS site

3 Online Businesses I Visit Most Often

Ryan Xavier May 21, 2015



newegg

Newegg is a site I use regularly. Its a site that mainly focuses on the sales of consumer electronics.
They literally sell EVERYTHING related to electronics. The best part about it is that they offer prices substantially lower than most brick and mortar locations. I like this site a lot because after creating an account they will start emailing you awesome deals daily. You really never know how good of a deal you may randomly stumble upon. They take this even one step further by sending you deals tailored to your searches on the site. So lets say yesterday you were pricing out monitors. Tomorrow, you may receive an email with promotional deals on various monitors correlated to the ones you were looking up.

Below Is A Screen Shot of Newegg

Below Is An Example of A Promotional Email

Niter

Niter is a site I use to watch free "ad free" HD movies. Specifically the site does not host adds per say. But any link you click on will redirect you to a separate tab that opens up to a random advertisers web page, where there are of course adds. I assume this is how Niter makes their money. I personally don't mind it as I am familiar with these types of work arounds. Its a very low hassle way to be able to see a movie in the comfort of your home that is currently still in theaters. Every movie I have streamed from this site has been in perfect 720p-1080p resolution. I couldn't be happier with this website.

Below Is An Example of Niters 2015 Filter, Showing Results of Movies That Are Currently In Theaters. Let me remind you that these are High Definition Movies watchable on any internet connected device with a web browser.

Hulu

Hulu is a site I also us regularly. They specialize in streaming current TV shows. What I like about Hulu is they sync with many devices through  a single sign on and the Hulu app. Hulu monetizes their service with a monthly service fee. They also play adds during the TV show which also generates revenue for them. Overall I think Hulu does a fairly good job of what they do. Its just that when Hulu first started years ago, they had an incentive to pay for their service, being that you were not subject to advertisement interruptions during your viewing. That has since changed.

Below Is An Example Of The Hulu Interface

3 Ways I'd Like to Make Money Online

Ryan Xavier - May 15, 2015

YouTube Monetization

I think this one is pretty cool, and I just recently really looked into it. As a part of my coursework I have been required to make a couple of YouTube Videos. After creating them I figured why not monetize them and see what its all about. You can setup monetization in your YouTube settings. This enables adds that play prior to your video or show up during the video. You can also choose whether or not these adds are skippable. An example of YouTube monetization can be viewed here on my Animoto Video. I also have advertisements on the side of my youtube video page as well.

Below is my  YouTube video with YouTube Monetization enabled.

airbnb

This is a pretty cool one that I haven't had the opportunity to use and probably won't, seeings I have roommates. This online money making scheme is based around subletting in a sense. You can list your entire home or even just a room in your home on this site. Whats nice is you can build a reputation for yourself as the renter or the tenant. You get ratings in both directions. I thought this was really cool because it provides an added layer of  protection to the renter and the person renting (though nothing is full-proof). Living in Bend, this could come in really handy year round. In the Winter you have the mountain crowd traveling from all over to shred Bachelor. And with prices at around $80.00 dollars for a day pass at Bachelor, saving money on airbnb is a no brainer and could provide some easy extra cash to the person renting out their room. Bend attracts a whole other crowd in the summer to provide the same level of tourism.

Below is an example search for Bend Oregon, in the price range or $10.00-$120.00.

gofundme

I just stumbled on this one today. This site uses a form crowdfunding. The main difference between this and say, Kickstarter, is that this is more of a fundraising site without obligation. For example, I could  try and fundraise for a trip to Trinidad to go see my father. On the site I could post some pictures of myself and post a description of what Im trying to do and why I would like support. At this point I can sit  back and hope people connect with what Im trying to do and donate towards my cause of traveling to Trinidad.  Though there are categories you have to fall into in order to post a fundraiser, you pretty much just have to want to do something realistic and you can find a way to fit it into a category, and it seems you can get donations rather easy. The do take a cut of the proceeds, but its a small price to pay for doing nothing and having no obligation to repay or fulfill anything.

Below is photo of the pricing options on gofundme.

Below is an example of the fundraiser page.

3 Examples of Businesses Using Social Media

Ryan Xavier - May 5, 2015

1.
Hyrdro Flask easily increases their name following by using such social-media platforms as FaceBook. They consistently post deals and promo codes to receive discounts on their products. The are a Bend, Oregon based company, and with that spirit do some pretty cool things. One of which being that you can send them cool photos of you and your Hydro Flask out in nature or whatever intriguing thing you have gotten you and your beloved flask into. If they think its cool enough, they will re-post the picture to their page and usually contact you with a free merchandise offer. Overall one of the cooler companies I follow on FaceBook.

2.
Celestron Telescopes is another company that has harnessed the power of social-media. Orion has about 5,500 followers on twitter. They much like Hyrdro Flask, offer all kinds off cool deals and promo codes as well. They also post web-flyers for events in surrounding areas for you to potentially attend. At these events they get to showcase their hardware and educate people on Telescopes as well as provide a pros view into the cosmos above. Even if you somehow werent into the stars, following Celestron on twitter still holds value. They are an optics company and are constantly posting amazing photos of everything.

3.
Apple (Mac), also as you may believe uses social media to reach its prospects. I find it humorously ironic to follow Apple on Google+, but honestly its one of the better UI layouts for Apple among the other social networking platforms. Google+ lets you join communities (follow) people and businesses alike. I like what Apple has done with they layout of their page and the easy naviagation. They have their main community subdivided into several other communities such as Mac, iOS, OSx, etc. I follow the Mac and OSx communities because I don't believe in any other Apple products! Its really cool though, they are always posting new accessories and and information about upcoming device/software releases. They also post relevant photos and videos . Overall their Google+ account has proved a pretty cool resource to have.