Preserved Topic: Lost in Space

I am a "webmaster" in training for a .com start up (which shall remain nameless) in Dallas, TX. They hired me with the understanding that my knowledge was limited...since I started with this company I have become fmailiar with HTML. That's it. I've been here over 8 months, I'm frustrated and getting bent over by the man. I'm ready for my own scenario, but i need skills before I go - it took a few hours to catch the hang of HTML - i know i can learn this stuff, but up here i know it's the blind leading the blind. As the "webmaster" I feel I should be fluent in a lot of different things, but i think the man is wanting to keep me down and concentrated on company specific scripting. I'm ready to move forward even if they aren't - any suggestions?
Thanks

well shydtown, you're one step up on me- i'm STILL trying to learn html, but i cheat and use Adobe GoLive (which i love) i got thrown into this webmaster thing as well...(i'm a motion graphics animator using Premier and After Effects a lot) it's hard to learn this stuff on your own when your company wants you to do their thing. you have to remember that the longer you try something, the better you get at it- maybe try to hang in there while looking for another job- and these guys in here are a great source for answering questions. DAMN THE MAN. that's probably not very helpful but anyway....

shydtown, welcome to the Asylum.... <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif">

I hear where your coming from and I sympathise. There are a lot of leeches out there, ready to exploit every guy that wants to genuinely learn.

My advice is to learn as much as you can. Read, practice, and don't be afraid to ask.... <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif">... some people absorb this stuff like a sponge, others don't. One thing's for sure, the likelihood of getting hooked is pretty big.
Check out the following.... http://www.gurusnetwork.com
...this site is a collaborative effort by a lot of the guys whose names you'll see here in the Asylum. There are plenty of tutorials to give you a feel for some of the other stuff you'll no doubt want to learn to enable you to go forward and eventually become a designer in your own right.
Check out the basicinfo section for the stuff you're gonna need to know for the future. There are also excellent discussion forums on all the design software and scripting subjects, some of which went into building this site and the Gurusnetwork. The forum moderators and associates will be more than happy to answer your questions, give advice and point you in the right direction.
Best of luck... <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif">

the ROY
Using Go Live....don't have a problem with that. However, learn the language my friend...you can then cheat with impunity... <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif">


Phil
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Hi shydtown

Iam also a "webmaster" for a site. The reason I am webmastering this site is because I know the subjekt. I dont know much HTML so Iam using Frontpage 2000 I know that many people hate it. But without it I wouldnt have done any site. But I have learnt some HTML along the way.

And I think this is a great place, if you want some information regarding HTML

Thanks so much for the helpful info. Hope to catch you soon in the Asylum!
Shydtown

Yah, I've run into a few outfits that actually got honest about this one and started calling the job "infomaster" or something like that. For me, webmaster is a *very* technical term, I'm thinking of my friend drow@visi.com, he runs and maintains the hardware for 50-100 webservers, it's a UNIX-type job, with lots of heavy coding and makefiles and other fun stuff. Maintaining content is really just a small part of the job description. One of the best things about a job and job title that your boss doesn't properly understand is that you can start to twist it to your own uses over time. Start requiring books and softwares that are need to "do your job". Start following tutorials instead of reading dilbert (heh), and use your new knowledge to build new toys for your bosses, they'll start to appreciate it, and later to *need* it!

One final note, if the situation is just intolerable and you feel you have to move on, don't just up and quit. Use your position here to make yourself sound better as you look for new work. Once you find the better new job, *then* you can quit, ok? Trust me on this, it works best this way (best for *you*, that is!)

Your pal, -doc-

WOW! I am blown away by how cool everyone is at this site! Thanks for the downlow Doc...this place brings lots of insight...