Welcome to CMST 385

MeThis is a classic Face-to-Face class and we meet entirely in person. There will be no online discussions and if you have a question you can ask in class or email me at

I will post handouts and hyperlinks to videos for the class on this web page which is accessible through the URL www.islandman.org/umuc/cmst385/

Please bookmark (favorites) this URL in your browser so that you can easily return to it as the course progresses.

So lets get started…

The course has as a prerequisite of IFSM201 to insure students come into the class with intermediate computer skills.

The primary references for the class will be the following web sites:

UMUC no longer utilizes books for their courses, because free online resources have been setup for the course as can be viewed at LEO.

However, you may enjoy the course more if you purchase the book Learn to Code HTML & CSS that is available through Amazon as either paperback or ebook. We will be using the author’s web site as one of the resources for the course. Most of the information in the book is on his web site learn.shayhowe.com/, but a book is often more convenient, especially if you have only one computer screen to work on assignments.

Print all Week 1 materials described below that are posted as PDF files. I recommend using the freeware version of PDFXChangeViewer, which allows you to make notes and save them to any PDF file or you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader.

All software used in this class is freeware and I strive to find software that can be run on all common operating systems (Windows, MacOSX, Linux).

I recommend that you get started with Week 1 content today, by clicking Week 1 in the navigation bar above or scrolling down.

Robert Laurie

Week 1: Internet, World Wide Web, and HTML

Network StackBring your notebook computer to class, because there will be some class time for demonstration, hands-on coding, and asking questions. You also need to bring a USB Thumb Drive to class for storing and transferring computer files.

GitHub and GitPages Web Hosting

The first week we need to get familiar with a web hosting service, and I highly recommend GitHub Pages.

I have including links to videos that describe GitHub below and an ebook for those that like to read. Please view and read so you have a better understanding of GitHub and Git VCS. This week you need to setup a GitHub account following carfully the Blondie Bytes video. Sign up for a GitHub account at www.github.com/.

HTML Coding

The first week is primarily lecture with some hands on setup and HTML coding is required for Assignment 1. You will be learning HTML5 and CSS3 coding in this class and you are expected to use these standards for all assignments in the class. An explanation of the terminology, components that make up the Internet, and World Wide Web will also be covered this week.

I will utilize PowerPoint slides to introduce HTML and CSS concepts throughout the class. Please print the slide set and all posted PDF documents as they will be your primary source of information in the class. PowerPoint handouts are posted with four slides per page, and it is best to print in color so that you can see the syntax format of the code:

www.w3schools.com is an excellent tutorial and reference web site that will be used as the primary source of information. They offer certificates for $95 if you are looking for a certificate in this area.

Please read and work through the first 7 chapters of www.w3schools.com - HTML(5) Tutorial the first week.

  1. HTML Introduction
  2. HTML Editors
  3. HTML Basic
  4. HTML Elements
  5. HTML Attributes
  6. HTML Headings
  7. HTML Paragraphs

Videos available on YouTube for viewing this week:

Week 2: HTML - Inline, Lists, and Links

Development CycleThis week we will cover the topics of inline elements, symbols, and lists. Bring your notebook computer to class, because there will be some class time for demonstration, hands-on coding, and asking questions. You also need to bring your notebook computer and a USB Thumb Drive to class for storing and transferring computer files.

Continue to work through www.w3schools.com - HTML(5) Tutorial. Read and work through the following 8 chapters prior to class this week:

  1. HTML Formatting
  2. HTML Computercode
  3. HTML Comments
  4. HTML Symbols
  5. HTML Entities
  6. HTML Encoding (Character Sets)
  7. HTML Head
  8. HTML Lists
  9. Browser popularity table
  10. Browser support information

Please print the slide set and all posted PDF documents as they will be your primary source of information in the class:

Videos available on YouTube for viewing this week: