Start by picking up the Visual Quickstart Guide for Javascript that I told you about. It lends its self well to the kind of learning that you are asking for (called "just- in-time learning). Here's another tip from someone who is self-taught: when you see a web page that does something cool, check the page source and see how they do the javascript. You can learn *a lot* that way, not to mention copy scripts to use on your own web sites. You can search the web for javascripts for whatever you need and usually find something out there you can use, or adapt as a starting point. We all stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.
As for working with customers with small budgets and large expectations: its up to you to help them to understand that a certain amount of functionality that you get from javascript is not really optional. You wouldn't build a house but leave off the door knobs because doors can be opened without them, right? No, that's not a good option unless you want to look really bad. And do you really want to be known for performing that kind of work? No, I didn't think so. It really won't help you to attract customers of a higher caliber who are willing to pay more. So, its up to you to educate your users that it's all part of the package, and be able to provide these amenities as part of your service delivery package. Then you must learn to go after the customers who do understand and are willing to pay a fair fee for these services. If you spend all your time on 2-bit jobs, you won't have time to market your services to higher paying customers. Don't be afraid to set the bar a little higher and you should eventually see it pay off. >You're right...customers do expect more...I'm trying to keep up! (Somewhat >:o) >(Still using CF 4.5.2! :o) > >I wish I could find more customers with bigger budgets who were willing >to pay for "higher-level" work so I could afford the time to delve into some >of the finer functionality of CF and JS, etc...but around here, budgets are >always >small...very small...and they are almost always interested in how little >money they can spend rather than having what they need in a web site / >application. > >A few years ago, I finally started hosting my own customers' sites, simply >because >I couldn't make enough just developing websites... > >I just need to find the right resources that will allow me to learn JS a >little at a time, >as time allows, and integrate them into apps I can actually get paid for. > >Maybe someone should start a subscription service to the "2-Minute >Javascript Tutor" >and send 4 tutorials a month, for $10 per month You learn some basics and >actually >build something you can use anywhere from 1-4 times per month, based on the >complexity of the application. If the content were good enough the ROI >sufficient, >I'd buy that...especially if it taught how to integrate it into CF apps... > >Want to start a new business, Rebecca? Sounds like you've come up through >the >ranks of JS and can remember what it was like to know nothing about the >subject. >You're just the kind of person to write the tutorials...once someone's been >doing >something so long they forget what it's like not to know how to do it, >they're usually >no good at writing beginners' tutorials... > >Rick > >-----Original Message----- >From: Rebecca Wells [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 5:30 PM >To: CF-Talk >Subject: Re: just noticed this when validating email > > >Rick: > >JavaScript will elevate the "low-level" work you currently do now to more >professional, full-featured applications that users have come to expect. >Certainly, you must want to know how to make your web pages more dymamic and >your forms more secure and accurate, yes? Perhaps you'd like to be able to >set one form field using the selction in another? Once you get to know >Javascript, you will wonder what you ever did without it. HTML, Javascript, >and ColdFusion go together like Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato! > >Don't freak out, but along with Javascript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is >another tool that is a must-have for any self-respecting developer. Web >develoment is not a career for folks who don't enjoy learning new >technologies. If you try to stand-still, I can assure you that your >customers won't be and will just pass you by (as in bye-bye). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Find out how CFTicket can increase your company's customer support efficiency by 100% http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=49 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:4:200534 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/4 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:4 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
