HTML monkey

date posted 18th September 2000 15:30

Someone mentioned the job description of 'low grade HTML-monkey' in the
forum recently. What exactly do they do and how good at HTML would someone
need to be in order to become one? I would like to get into web development
but don't really know where to start.

I've created a site to try and sell my services (without much success) and
have done a couple of sites for local businesses. Most job adverts seem to
want Flash and Dreamweaver but I only know HTML (using editors like HTML
Kit), CSS and Fireworks (V.1, free on a magazine CD!). I'm currently
teaching myself JavaScript and PHP4/MySQL but I imagine you *really* have to
know what you are doing before you can use these commercially. I'm not very
good at graphics or layout so would prefer to get into the coding side of
things as it seems much more interesting.

The trouble is I have no experience in the I.T. industry and think I will
have a serious credibility problem trying to find work (I'm currently a
part-time worker on my Father's farm of all things!) although I am about to
start the 3rd year of a 5 year part-time degree in Computing for Business at
the University of Northumbria (even though I've left it a bit late to be
trying for a degree now I'm 30!!).

Last week there was an article on the BBC about skill shortages, especially
in I.T. What skills specifically are in shortage? There doesn't seem to be
any shortage of web designers: compare the number of entries under 'Internet
Services' in the recent edition of Yellow Pages with last years'!

I really enjoy 'lurking' in this forum - it's good to learn from people who
are actually 'doing it' in the real world.

Duncan
http://www.jdmnetcode.co.uk
http://www.eshottairfield.co.uk