Posted on June 4th, 2010Being an amateur web designer, you may need to frequent a lot of other good sources for help. There are thousands of sources you can get some help from. But it is always better to bookmark a few sources that are the best so that you don’t have to search everywhere for something. Here we have gathered a good list of 20 must have resources for an amateur web designer.
1. Sourceforge
Sourceforge is a web based software repository and comes embedded with tool kits and software packages for web designing. Further, it supports e-learning and web hosting.
2. Googlecode
Googlecode is the Google’s site for developers, APIs and technical resources. This site is enriched with tutorials and web tools for web designers. Googlecode provides code implementation guide and also lists the latest trends in web designing.
3. W3schools
W3schools is a free web building tutorial site. It provides free tutorials on almost all web building languages. It is the most preferred page for a beginner. Here you can edit and execute your codes online.
4. Digitalpoint
Digitalpoint provides a platform for the web designers to expose their products to the world. This also sports blog posting and online guidance facilities. You can also get access to free software from here.
5. Smashingmagazine
Smashingmagazine is a typical blog like web site. It helps the web designers and developers by providing online support. This site rates the various web designing tools and software necessary for designers.
6. Webmasterworld
Webmasterworld is a web page for the web professionals. It is meant for sharing ideas with others through conferencing. This also provides provisions for e-learning and online troubleshooting.
7. Sitepoint
Sitepoint is a place for online magazines and books on web designing. Though it looks similar to a blog, it provides references to the different books in PDF format.
8. W3
At w3 , you can get to know the recent developments in the field of web development. It helps standardise your website. Forums support interaction. Being a member, you can study as well as apply for certifications.
9. Bravenet
Bravenet comes embedded with a collection of free web development tools to customize your website. You also get an opportunity to host your site for free. The tutorials guide you to effectively utilize the tools provided here.
10. Internet
Here you get a collection of video tutorials and e-books. It also encompasses reports on the latest developments. You can share your ideas through the discussions section.
11. SixRevisions
This gives an insight into the latest trends in web development and design. As a beginner, you can refer the tutorials section where you can study both the coding and design concepts. This also comes with a section called freebies which gives information about the different web building tools that are available for free.
12. Noupe
Here you can get a brief idea about the latest developments in web design. You can find tutorials on topics like AJAX, CSS and PHOTOSHOP. They have the WORDPRESS section which gives various add-ons for a good website. You can get tips on how to make your website effective, from the ARCHIVES section.
13. CodeProject
CodeProject is actually an interactive area. You can post articles and listen to those of others. Once you become a member, you will be offered programming assistance when needed. Being a very vast website, this can transform a beginner to an expert by providing tutorials on topics like C, C++, VB.NET, ASP.NET and so on.
14. DynamicDrive
DynamicDrive as the name suggests is similar to a local drive on your computer. This provides free JavaScript and DHTML codes to enhance the look and feel of your website. Here the demerit is that it introduces you directly to the scripts instead of giving tutorials.
15. Devshed
Devshed takes you to the world of open-source web development. Here you can get an idea about the latest innovations in the field. You also get to know of the core concepts from the tutorials section. Further it sports a chat forum.
16. O’Reilly
O’Reilly comes embedded with a School of Technology which supports e-learning. You have ample opportunities to enrich your web designing skills through the online books and videos.
17. CSS-Tricks
Here you have an article section that lists the latest developments in the field. The freebies section comes with different add-ons for a web developer. Interact with others via the forums section. You can directly access code snippets from here.
18. Alistapart
Alistapart is a simple website with an articles section which lists the recent activities in the field. You can expose your ideas via the Contributions section. The Topics section takes you to the various coding and design concepts.
19. HotScripts
As the name suggests, this provides an idea about almost all the scripting languages. Besides, you get access to certain scripts and design templates. Interact with others in the field via the forums section.
20. Tutorialized
Here you can access tutorials on almost all aspects of web designing, covering the Windows and Linux platforms. Free scripts are also available here. The forums section supports the exchange of ideas.