I'm heavy into managing websites, but I rely too heavily on developers. I'd really like to learn a little bit so I can change simple things, such as typography at the very least. Where should I start? Are there any good video tutorials? Do I start learning CSS or start learning WordPress code? I don't even understand if there's a difference really. The most I've done so far is login to cpanel, and do the basics (upload wordpress using fantastico, etc.) I don't even really understand how to use an FTP.... so ya... To clarify, I'm only interested in working with WordPress, but I work with websites that require very heavy modifications..they're usually a complete CMS.
You want to learn basic html and css to be able to edit the way a wordpress site looks and flows (basic design). however you will want to learn php to get down and dirty with wordpress. However...if you spend some serious time looking at themes and plugins I think you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with very little programming knowledge. You can easily find themes with the right layout and I have ALWAYS been able to find a plugin to handle any function I want my site to perform. Good luck and i hope this helps. For serious top quality html,css,php tutorials visit http://www.webstockbox.com
I started learning basic html and css at www.w3schools.com After I learnt the basics I started doing some psd to html tutorials where it shows you how to design a website then slice it and code it, search google and you'll find some easily.
learn the very basic HTML and CSS. These 2 is very crucial in layout and designing. Then, learn basic PHP, jsut learn the basic, you don't have to be like a programmer, just the basic thing. After that, you can jump to CMS. And that's how i manage to learn up until now.
If you don't want to use WYSIWYG editors (I heavily recommend this), start with learning HTML and CSS. If you're just into client-sided stuff, then go with Javascript. If not, then PHP and Javascript.
1. HTML & CSS 2. PHP & mySQL Search this forum, you will probably find recommendations for books that you can buy or find e-book version.
Starting your programming education by editing WordPress or any other CMS template(s) is not what I would suggest. CMS template files are typically a mashup of HTML, inline CSS, php and Smarty. Without a fairly good understanding of the HTML and CSS it will be very easy for you to get what I refer to as the white page of death - make the wrong change in a CMS system like WP and your site becomes an empty white page. I would recommend you first try building a simple website from scratch. Use a code validation tool like W3C to help check that you are doing things correctly. Check what the pages look like in both FireFox and Internet Explorer. Pay particular attention to how divs and nested styling works as the templates use these heavily. HTML programming isn't all that hard. But do yourself a favor and take baby steps. After all you wouldn't put the kid fresh out of mechanic's school to work unsupervised on the boss's $100,000 sports car would you?
I would get a basic understanding of HTML and CSS, you can do that by reading tuts sites and also reading paper or ebooks, the sort that will give you an introduction. There are tuts about doing various things with wordpress.
You should really start with HTML & CSS first, then move on to WP theme development if you already have some skills with PHP. I'll be teaching a course on HTML & CSS, starting Sunday. Check it out here: http://www.wiziq.com/online-class/239261-practical-html-and-css If you can't attend at the specified time, you can always come back and view the recording.