Feeling lost

Hi Tracey,

You should be able to download the project files. Below the video window click on Downloads and then click on Project Files and save the zip file to your hard drive. Unzip the file and either view them with a text editor or upload them to your Workspace.

Jeff

Thank you Justin, that makes me feel better. I wasn't sure what I was required to do in a deep dive, but this helps clear my feeling of being lost. I really appreciate your help and input.

Thanks everyone! This is very helpful! I appreciate all the help :)

As Jeff said, the files are there for you to download in the Downloads section. You can then open them in a text editor and edit along with the video, save them then re-open them in a web browser to see the output.

I have three windows open, basically - one Chrome window where I'm watching the video, one text editor where I have the .html and .css files open for editing, and another web browser (Chrome again) where I open the index.html file to see what the code looks like in the browser.

Some text editors such as Notepad++ have a quick and easy way to launch the code in a browser, or you should be able to use Workspaces too if you don't want to do any of the above.

I agree about Nick's videos though, they've been head and shoulders above anything else I've seen on Treehouse, he doesn't assume any knowledge and goes right through each stage from the ground up including exactly how to open files and how to preview code etc. Although saying that, I've just started on JavaScript Basics as well and Dave McFarland's videos are awesome too; uses Workspaces throughout, very interactive, sets lots of tasks and mini-projects for you to try then shows you the answers in the following videos. Also has a lot more involved code challenges and quizzes.

I think some of the older videos were filmed before Workspaces was developed, which is why the presenter uses an external text editor.

You can also look up for css cheat sheets using Google. It will help you a lot when you forget something. Don't try to force yourself to remember everything. The best way to learn is by practice. As Nick said "Even the best programmers must look up things":)

Hi Tracey,

Don't worry, your not alone feeling a bit lost when you first start out.

I didn't take any notes the first time round, just keeping up with what was going on was hard enough to begin with. Taking notes can be more of a distraction to what is going on in the lesson.

Just concentrate on what's going on in the lesson, if you get stuck on a challenge you can always re-watch the lesson or post a question here on the forum and get help.

Good luck. :)

The great thing about learning by video is you can back up, if necessary, and re-do some things.

Feeling uncomfortable is often a sign you're on the right path: i.e., you're willing to be bold and throw yourself into learning something totally new. Fortune favors the bold, and the persistent. And it's natural to feel that way when you're new to something.