Web Designs Done Right!

I've recently had issues with my domain, "webdesignsdoneright.com", which my webhost was no help! I'll blog about the ordeal tomorrow hahaha!

It's been a hard few days lately for my mental health haha...But God is good, & I'm ok...

To date, I've installed 7 Linux Distros, within Gnome Boxes. I've used Virtualbox before, & I've found it to be much more cross-environment friendly, but since my daily driver is Fedora 38, running Gnome 44, I'm using Boxes simply for the simplicity of having it come pre-installed on Gnome 44.

It's pretty cool trying out these Linux DE's, & I've yet to find a personal "favorite", but I'm leaning towards Kali Linux, which by far the funnest DE, because Kali (& other Arch variants) specializes in being a Network Security & Penatration Tool Desktop. Hahaha I've already hacked (my own) smart bulb, just for my own education!

I'm also booting up a few of Ubuntu variants, such as:

• Kali Linux 2023
• Ubuntu 23.04/Gnome 44
• Kubuntu 23.04/KDE Plasma 5.27
• Budgie 10.7.1
• openSUSE Tumbleweed/Plasma 5.27.4
• Linux Mint 21.1/Cinnamon 5.6.8
• CachyOS Linux/Arch based/Plasma 5.27.4 (latest kernel, customized: 6.3.0-1-cachyos

I'm excited to try CachyOS, as the reviews that turned me on to this distro, were highly positive. But again, Kali Linux is really really fun! Here's a short summary from Google:

The latest version of Kali Linux is 2023.3, which includes OpenSSL wide compatibility by default, better VM support in the Live image session (copy & paste and drag & drop from your machine into a Kali VM by default), new tools such as adversary emulation, subdomain takeover to Wi-Fi attacks as well as Kali NetHunter smartwatch.

While I can post a review of each Linux Distro that I use (& I probably will haha), right now I just want to say that it is a great experience in supporting Linux! Get off of M$ Windoze & MacO$, & install yourself a quality Operating System! You can boot to a USB drive that you've flashed your desired Linux flavor's .iso onto, & select the option to try the desktop without installing it. That way, you can test drive it yourself. I'd advise that you test out all of your hardware too, such as a printer, USB devices, etc. It's better to be safe than sorry! & backup your data first!!!

Hello there, fellow tech enthusiasts! Today we're going to talk about Fedora Security Lab tools and why they're like the Batman gadgets of the Linux world.

Now, if you're like me, the idea of being a master hacker and fighting cybercrime sounds super cool. But, let's face it, most of us don't have the skills or the budget to be Batman. That's where the Fedora Security Lab tools come in - they're like a virtual utility belt, equipped with all the tools you need to be a Linux security superhero.

Just like Batman has his Batarang and Batmobile, the Fedora Security Lab tools have everything you need to detect and defend against security threats. From password cracking to network scanning, these tools have got you covered. It's like having a Swiss Army knife for cybersecurity.

But let's be real, playing with these tools can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're not a cybersecurity expert. But fear not, my friends, the Fedora Security Lab tools are like the Robin to your Batman, guiding you through the world of cybersecurity with ease.

One of the coolest tools in the Fedora Security Lab arsenal is the Hydra password cracker. It's like a digital lockpick, cracking open password-protected files and systems like it's no big deal. It's like that scene in the movies where the hero says "I'm in" and everyone cheers - except you're doing it from your couch in your pajamas.

Another useful tool is Nmap, a network scanner that lets you map out all the devices on your network. It's like having X-ray vision, being able to see every device connected to your Wi-Fi. You'll know who's been hogging all the bandwidth in no time.

But let's be real, the best part of playing around with these tools is feeling like a cybersecurity wizard. You can impress your friends with your newfound hacking skills and maybe even convince them that you're secretly a member of the Justice League.

So, there you have it folks, the Fedora Security Lab tools are like the Batman gadgets of the Linux world. They're powerful, impressive, and a whole lot of fun to play with. So suit up, grab your utility belt, and get ready to fight cybercrime like the superhero you were born to be. But the best part about it, is that you don't have to install Kali Linux hahaha!

Hello there, fellow tech enthusiasts! Today we're going to talk about Fedora Security Lab tools and why they're like the Batman gadgets of the Linux world.

Now, if you're like me, the idea of being a master hacker and fighting cybercrime sounds super cool. But, let's face it, most of us don't have the skills or the budget to be Batman. That's where the Fedora Security Lab tools come in - they're like a virtual utility belt, equipped with all the tools you need to be a Linux security superhero.

Just like Batman has his Batarang and Batmobile, the Fedora Security Lab tools have everything you need to detect and defend against security threats. From password cracking to network scanning, these tools have got you covered. It's like having a Swiss Army knife for cybersecurity.

But let's be real, playing with these tools can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're not a cybersecurity expert. But fear not, my friends, the Fedora Security Lab tools are like the Robin to your Batman, guiding you through the world of cybersecurity with ease.

One of the coolest tools in the Fedora Security Lab arsenal is the Hydra password cracker. It's like a digital lockpick, cracking open password-protected files and systems like it's no big deal. It's like that scene in the movies where the hero says "I'm in" and everyone cheers - except you're doing it from your couch in your pajamas.

Another useful tool is Nmap, a network scanner that lets you map out all the devices on your network. It's like having X-ray vision, being able to see every device connected to your Wi-Fi. You'll know who's been hogging all the bandwidth in no time.

But let's be real, the best part of playing around with these tools is feeling like a cybersecurity wizard. You can impress your friends with your newfound hacking skills and maybe even convince them that you're secretly a member of the Justice League.

So, there you have it folks, the Fedora Security Lab tools are like the Batman gadgets of the Linux world. They're powerful, impressive, and a whole lot of fun to play with. So suit up, grab your utility belt, and get ready to fight cybercrime like the superhero you were born to be. But the best part about it, is that you don't have to install Kali Linux hahaha!

Hey there fellow tech enthusiasts, today let's talk about virtual machines running on Linux, specifically GNOME Boxes. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Wow, virtual machines on Linux, that sounds like a wild time!" And let me tell you, it sure is!

For those of you who may not be familiar with virtual machines, you can think of them as a computer within a computer! You can run different operating systems, like Windows or MacOS, on your Linux machine without having to dual boot or switch between different computers. I'm currently running 5 different Linux Disto's on my Fedora laptop. It's like having a time machine & you're visiting Windows 95 or Windows XP.

But let's be real, setting up a virtual machine can be a bit of a headache, especially if you're not super familiar with Linux. That's where GNOME Boxes comes in, to make your life easier and your virtual machine dreams a reality.

GNOME Boxes is an amazing alternative to virtual machines. It's simple, intuitive, and does all the heavy lifting for you. It's like the difference between baking a cake from scratch or using a boxed mix - both will get you a cake, but one is a whole lot easier.

The best part about GNOME Boxes is that you don't need to be a Linux expert to use it. It's perfect for Linux newbies who want to dip their toes into the virtual machine waters. Just download the program, choose your operating system, and GNOME Boxes does the rest. It's so easy, it's almost like cheating.

But let's be real, the most fun part of using virtual machines is getting to explore old operating systems and software that you thought were long gone. Remember that old game you used to play as a kid? You can probably find it and play it again on a virtual machine. Or maybe you want to relive the glory days of Internet Explorer 6 - don't worry, I won't judge.

So there you have it, virtual machines on Linux don't have to be scary or complicated. GNOME Boxes is like your trusty sidekick, there to make your virtual machine dreams come true. Just sit back, relax, and let the virtual world take you away.

I've been using Google Webmaster Tools for more years than I can count...& now I'm giving Microsoft's tools a go. Well, to be honest, I have used both consistently on the site's I've tracked, but now I'm going to invest more time in it. It'll be interesting to see how the results differ.

I'm hoping to push these sites to the top, I see if the onpage SEO will benefit Google's SERPs, as well as Bing.

Ah, SEO - the mysterious art of making Google like you. It's a complicated subject, but don't worry, I'm here to break it down for you in a fun and conversational way. So grab a snack, settle in, and let's talk about SEO.

First of all, let's address the elephant in the room. What the heck is SEO? Well, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which basically means making your website show up higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). And why is that important? Because if you're not on the first page of Google, you might as well be invisible.

So how do you get Google to like you? There are a lot of factors that go into SEO, but I'll try to simplify it as much as possible. First, you need to have a website that's user-friendly, fast, and easy to navigate. This is called on-page SEO, and it's all about making sure your website is optimized for both users and search engines.

Next, you need to create content that people actually want to read. This is called off-page SEO, and it's all about building links and social shares that drive traffic back to your site. The more high-quality links you have pointing to your site, the more authoritative and trustworthy Google will see you as.

But here's the thing about SEO - it's always changing. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, Google goes and changes its algorithm. And then you have to start all over again. It's like trying to keep up with the Kardashians - exhausting and never-ending.

So what's a website owner to do? Well, the first step is to accept that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. You're not going to see results overnight, and you're going to have to put in the time and effort to get there.

The second step is to focus on creating high-quality content that's valuable to your audience. Google is smart - it knows when you're trying to game the system with keyword stuffing and other shady tactics. So instead of trying to trick Google, focus on creating content that people will actually want to read and share.

And finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. SEO can be overwhelming, especially if you're just starting out. But there are plenty of resources out there to help you, from online courses to SEO agencies. Just make sure you do your research and choose a reputable source.

So there you have it, folks - SEO in a nutshell. It's not easy, but it's not rocket science either. Just keep creating great content, stay up-to-date on the latest trends, and don't be afraid to ask for help. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be ranking on the first page of Google alongside the big dogs.

Well, well, well, look who we have here! Two of the most popular layout techniques in the web development world, Flexbox and CSS Grid, are here to duke it out in the ultimate showdown! In this corner, we have Flexbox, the one-dimensional layout model that can align items both horizontally and vertically. And in this corner, we have CSS Grid, the two-dimensional layout model that can create complex layouts with rows and columns. Let's get ready to rumble!

First, let's talk about Flexbox. Flexbox is like the BFF who's always there for you, no matter what. Need to align some items in a row? Flexbox has got your back. Need to align them vertically instead? Flexbox is still your loyal friend. It's great for creating simple layouts and making sure everything is lined up perfectly. Think of Flexbox as your trusty sidekick.

Now, let's move on to CSS Grid. CSS Grid is like that genius friend who always knows exactly what to do. Need to create a complex layout with multiple rows and columns? CSS Grid has got you covered. It's like a magical wizard who can bend the web layout to your will. With CSS Grid, you can create multi-dimensional layouts that will leave your users in awe. Think of CSS Grid as your wise and powerful mentor.

One key difference between Flexbox and CSS Grid is how they handle content sizing. With Flexbox, you can specify the size of each item within a container, but it's a bit like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. You can stretch it, shrink it, or squish it, but it might not look quite right. With CSS Grid, you can specify the size of each row and column, making it more like a perfectly crafted puzzle where everything fits together just right.

Another difference is how they handle content ordering. Flexbox is like a game of Tetris, where you can shuffle the blocks around to fit together perfectly. You can change the order of items within a container using the order property, making it great for responsive design. CSS Grid, on the other hand, is like a game of chess, where you can plan out your moves in advance. You can rearrange items using grid-template-areas and grid-template-columns, making it great for complex, multi-dimensional layouts.

So, which one is better? It's like trying to compare pizza to ice cream. They're both amazing, but they serve different purposes. Flexbox is great for simple layouts, while CSS Grid is perfect for more complex layouts. It all depends on what you're trying to achieve.

In conclusion, Flexbox and CSS Grid are both valuable tools in a web developer's toolkit. They each have their own unique strengths, and it's important to know when to use each one. So, go forth and experiment with both of these layout techniques, and see which one suits your project best. And remember, whether you prefer Flexbox or CSS Grid, they're both great!

So if you know me personally, chances are you've heard (well, read???) me talk about "web standards" before. But what exactly are web standards and why are they important?

Web standards are essentially a set of rules that web developers follow to ensure that their websites are accessible, efficient, and user-friendly. These standards are set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), a global organization that sets guidelines for web design and development.

So, why are web standards important? For one thing, they ensure that websites are accessible to everyone, regardless of the device or platform they are using. By following web standards, developers can ensure that their websites are consistent across different devices and browsers, which means that users can access the website from anywhere and have a reliable experience.

Web standards also make websites more efficient and faster. By following these standards, developers can streamline their code and ensure that the website is optimized for performance. This means that the website loads faster and is more responsive, which is essential for keeping users engaged and interested.

Another key benefit of web standards is that they make websites more accessible to people with disabilities. By following these standards, developers can ensure that their websites are compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers, which makes it easier for people with visual impairments to access the website.

So, how can you ensure that your website is following web standards? One way is to use tools like HTML validators and CSS validators, which can help you identify any errors or issues with your code. You can also use frameworks like Bootstrap or Foundation, which are built with web standards in mind and can help you create a responsive and accessible website quickly and easily.

Well, bottom line is, web standards are essential for creating websites that are accessible, efficient, and user-friendly. By following these standards, developers can ensure that their websites are compatible with different devices and browsers, load quickly, and are accessible to everyone. So if you're a web developer or designer, make sure to keep these standards in mind when creating your next website!

To be honest, I really miss coding in XHTML ;( because of its strict rules. Because of XHTML, I became very proficient in my web coding, & it allowed me to really concentrate on my web standards.

For those of you who do not remember the good 'ol days of XHTML, let me break down the difference between it, & the HTML 5 that has become the standard (for which I have my opinions on, ie: people are lazy, & want to code via "free website builders"...)

When it comes to web development, two terms that often get tossed around are XHTML and HTML 5. While both are markup languages used to create web pages, there are some key differences between the two.

XHTML, or Extensible Hypertext Markup Language, is a stricter version of HTML that follows the rules of XML. It was introduced in 2000 as a replacement for HTML 4. XHTML is designed to be well-formed and easy to parse, which makes it a good choice for creating web pages that need to be compatible with different devices and platforms.

On the other hand, HTML 5 is the latest version of HTML and was introduced in 2014. It is designed to be more flexible and user-friendly than previous versions of HTML. HTML 5 includes many new features that make it easier to create multimedia-rich web pages that can be accessed on different devices and platforms.

Here are some key differences between XHTML and HTML 5:

• Syntax: XHTML is based on XML, which means that it has a stricter syntax than HTML 5. XHTML requires all tags to be closed properly, and all attributes to be quoted. HTML 5, on the other hand, has a more forgiving syntax that allows for tags to be left unclosed and attributes to be left unquoted.
• Compatibility: XHTML is designed to be compatible with older browsers and devices, which can be helpful when creating web pages that need to be accessed by a wide range of users. HTML 5 is designed to be more forward-looking and includes many features that are not supported by older browsers and devices.
• Multimedia: HTML 5 includes many new features for creating multimedia-rich web pages, such as video and audio tags, canvas elements for creating graphics, and support for scalable vector graphics (SVG). XHTML does not include these features.
• Accessibility: XHTML is designed to be more accessible than HTML 5. It includes many features that make it easier to create web pages that are accessible to users with disabilities, such as support for alternative text descriptions and the ability to add labels to form controls.

In summary, while both XHTML and HTML 5 are markup languages used to create web pages, they have some key differences. XHTML is stricter and more compatible with older browsers and devices, while HTML 5 is more flexible and includes many new features for creating multimedia-rich web pages. The choice between XHTML and HTML 5 will depend on the specific needs of your project, but to be honest, I have not seen web designers use XHTML in literal years...

It's raining...& so I decided to ask ChatGPT to write me a melancholy poem about a rainy day, & here it is:

The skies are grey and heavy, As drops of rain fall steady. The world outside is dreary, And my mood, oh so weary.

The pitter-patter on the roof, Is a sad and somber proof, That the day will be spent indoors, Lost in thoughts and chores.

The world seems to have lost its color, And the raindrops, like tears, smother, Every hope and dream I had, Leaving me feeling sad.

As the rain continues to pour, My heart feels heavy and sore, And I long for brighter days, When the sun will light my way.

But for now, I'll sit and watch, As the raindrops dance and botch, The world outside, so forlorn, Until a new day is born.


ChatGPT

All in all, that's a pretty awesome poem for an Artificial Intelligence, I must say! I'll start testing AI much more as time goes on.

What do y'all think about the poem?

Today wasn't very productive...but I did configure the Blink WiFi security camera suite that we have here at the house. I've never used BLink before, but it was a very straight-forward process to get it connected & synced.

Well, I was invited to join the waiting list for "Bard", Google's new AI chatbot. here's my acceptance email:

Once I joined the wait, I got this email response:

You're on the waitlist
You'll receive another email when it's your turn to test Bard.
In the meantime, we asked Bard to write you a little poem while you wait.
May your day be bright,
Your mood be light,
And your heart be filled with delight.
~ Bard Thank you for registering.

Let's see how that turns out :)

So I've been running Fedora 37 (Gnome 43.3) for a week now, coding with Visual Studio, & running Apache Web Server / PHP server, & I can tell you that it has been a great Dev environment, that's for sure! & running KDE Connect, which allows me to sync up my phone, & remotely control my laptop. It's great for what I'm doing!

Today is another day, another chance to make life better, & that's what I intend to do.

Today I've been updating this blog, as well as my other websites. I am pretty stoked, because I'll be training my landlord's new Belgian Malinois, once he gets it...& who knows, I may adopt one up too, we'll see! Yeah, I'm pretty stoked about it! I've been training dogs for many many years, & have even thought about doing it as a profession hahaha!

I can't wait to start that training, but in the mean time, I'm still job hunting, & I'm updating my own personal websites, as well as advertising my website design services I offer.

Plenty of jobs here in town, but I'm balancing my applications this week, concentrating on the high paying tech jobs first, then I'll begin to settle for just about anything...because money does not grow on trees...

I've also decided to do Door Dash, starting the end of this week, for gas money hahaha. It's a good way to supplement your income, that's for sure. Friends of mine have been making $70 a day with Door Dash, which will be perfect for making my gas money hahaha.

But on another note...

I've removed my Ubuntu 22.10 install from my Dell Inspiron 17 laptop, & I'm now running a dual boot between openSUSE Tumbleweed & Fedora 37, which so far has gone pretty smoothly. I'm running KDE desktop environment on openSUSE, & Gnome's desktop on Fedora. I've been running Linux distributions on my home computers since 2007!!! I remember my first install of linux, was the now famous, "Ubuntu 7.04, Feisty Fawn", with many Linux flavors in between, so I am well aware of what to expect.

& so far...

Gnome consistently becomes my daily driver, hands down, & that's the desktop enviro that I'm coding in today, as a matter of fact. Pretty cool looking haha!

I've been praying for the right opportunity to reveal itself to me, & for my vision to be clear & focused, to know what is really for me. So on goes my life, & I'll let y'all know how it's going from here!

The more things change, the more things stay the same...! So, I've been looking to change my profession, & get back fulltime into an I.T. Admin roll. I've had a couple of interviews already, & I'm excited about the possibilities!

I'll definitely post about any new importunities I get, & how it goes with the interviews I've already had...Stay Tuned!

Ok, I've decided to keep my HTML & CSS structure on this website alone. But I'll craft some sites, & use them as templates for client sites. Here I go!

Well, it's another day, & I am determined to complete at least two unique websites, 3 pages each. I'm deciding which niche each site will be specifically targeted to.

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Self, you should completely redo your website!"? Well, guess what y'all....I think I'll do just that! lol.

Here I am, feeling way better that I was feeling this morning...but anyway lol. I've put my web work on pause

I've been going back & forth on either re-writing my full CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) for this site, to incorporate the latest techniques I've been adopting this past year. & to top it off, the lastest page I've created on this site does NOT use Flexbox as my container style. Instead I've decided to to use Grid for my layouts, which to me offered a better fit for this site.

I'll detail my workflow & any (hopefully) useful tips I've learned along the way in my next post...
Until then, cheers!

So this weekend I plan on getting a big chunk completed on my "client area" frontend & backend...lots of coding!!! But that's okay because I'm always willing to code until my fingers fall off, or begin to bleed lol! But seriously, I do enjoy using css3 & HTML5 to build my sites. & I have so many great references to go to for help, when I get stuck on something...the risks of hand coding lol!

But anyway...I wanted to write the backend & frontend for my "client area" so I can get really familiar with the coding. So what I've come up with is putting up a page for the login itself. Then I use PHP to build the logic statements that determine who the authenticated user is, & build that user profile on the fly, remembering any content from previous login's by my clients. It's fun!!!...yikes...

I'll be listing information specific to each client's needs, such as SEO information, traffic logs & visitor information, etc...I'm still trying to decide the best route to take regarding how I'm going to display the SEO content to the logged on user. I could go the XHTML way & use DIV containers, floating them via CSS3. Or I can go old school & use the TABLE element (which is perfect for displaying this type of data, btw...) to display the user's SEO data - OR I could go the flexbox route!

& The Winner Is!

I'll be using flexbox to layout my data :)

I'll be posting about the process I use, so stay tuned!