WTF is the Web anyway !

FOR NEWBIES (like me) who considers coding as a mean (to give birth to their own business-art-name-it idea but do not consider approaching coding as a profession). Version 0.1 :

• For the "should I or shouldn't I" "Is it better or is it not" persons type.
• the "I want to be part of the Web age AND I have concrete projects that need some coding abilities (transmedia, web-series, web and mobile app) but are no coder and don't envisage to compete with them but need to talk THEIR languageS".
• For the "I'm a control freak and I want to understand, first, prior to even think to delegate to a team of coder, templater, designer of any kind (either freelance, employee, associate, partner)"…
• For the "NOW I GET IT about the digital age, and I want to be part of it, part of the startup community. It's where things really happen now"
• For the "I'm over 50 and still young, strong, passionate BUT I've no time for the incessant, unnerving and time consuming "what should I choose debate. I need answers." ?

Here are some of my "directions" (if I may) :

• Q: What should I learn ? Where should I start ? What is the Web ?:

• A: In any web project you have the front end and the bak end. The front end is what people can see and the back end is what coders can see. To make things simple.

You want to learn both. So first follow these paths now. No arguing, just follow, get the quizzes, get the badges, move on :

• Web design
• Front-end development

Is the way to go. Use codecamy website at first if it's a little steep as a learning curve. View on youtube some very famous videos on installing a website (use Wordpress, please don't argue) site from scratch that explains the whole logic on putting a new site online.

• Q: Should I use this text editor,… but you know I was told…, It looks like forums say…., I'm afraid to spend too much time on this and make a mistake…., I'm even new to text editor world…, WTF is a text editor anyway….? :

• A: Just choose Sublime Text and that's it. Stick to it, install plugins, read on it and setup this killer text editor. You'll probably not use it at his full potential since you are here to develop a "business" and you'll look pro, you'll use a pro tool and will be amazed by it. Coders you'll hire will be working (YOU choose) with it and they'll show you later IF needed that it's really bluffing. Sublime text and that's it, no procrastination allowed. Go and download it. Shhhht. Do it.

• Q: Should I use this FTP editor ? People say… Forums say…, Is that secure ? WTF is a FTP anyway... ?

• A: First Web design path and you'll what it is. Then choose Cyberduck as FTP that's it. You are on a Mac ? Cyberduck. You are on Windows ? Sell you PC, buy a Mac and install Cyberduck. Shhhttt. Again, just do it.

• Q: Should I learn Ruby, PhP, etc… ? You know what people say…, I've read in the famous forum iamthebestcoderintheworld.com, that you should…, But if I learn this, and then that, wouldn't it be better ? I was told xxx is finished and you should learn yyy :

• A: Are you willing to make projects happen? Ok, so you'll probably need a global tool on the web that makes time spent to use and develop on, valuable and reasonable, that is versatile, that can help mix blogging, any kind of content, your storytelling etc online, that has a huge community of fans, developers, designers, templaters, coders.

Right ?… ok, whatever, just choose Wordpress path. Open an account on a hosted service, buy a domain on a registrars, install Wordpress with your domain name and start breaking it. You won't regret it. So PHP is the only way to go for now. I know, I know, people say….. BUT with Wordpress you'll be able to make a first easy model for your next project easily. Furthermore you won't need to be an outstanding PHP coder. The basics, some science Php hacking (hack: take something good, improve it to fit your needs) intelligence twists and that's it. What we need is something to show to investors to get funding to move on then hire real (let's be realistic here) coders.

You want to learn Python, Ruby, Rails. Sorry, no time. Later we'll hire the necessary needed talents for getting everything running on rails if it's justified and we'll take steps to improve our own coding knowledge. For now : Wordpress hosted installation and the HUGE library of PAID (yes, that means, service, emails answered, business running) plugins. You'll find everything you need using your two index fingers and type in google "best wordpress plugins" "best form plugin for wordpress" or "best-beautiful-premium whatever plugin-template-widget for wordpress".

So I recommend :

-Codecademy -Treehouse : Web-design, Front-End devt, Wordpress path and Php Development (we don't need to become Php genius, basic hacking abilities will suffice.

• Q: And Javascript, WHAT ABOUT JAVASCRIPT, EVERYBODY TOLD ME JAVAAAAAASCRIIIIIIIIIPT ???

• A: OK, OK, settle down, no need to shout…………… Yep, no choice you'll have to learn it too, cause it's also font-end AND backend and it's what makes the site talking to people directly.

But let's remember that you are supposed to perform projects, launch business ideas, break dreams into concrete "non"-coding bricks and use your coding abilities to hire much better coder than yourself to do awesome things. You are the architect and you need talented people but not too talented that you can't control.

• Q: I just discovered that I love coding, should I learn Ruby, Python, C, Java, ALL OF IT or even get back to school : don't pretend, life expectancy is short. Block and mortar school fees are a cheat and you are not the coding type.

• A: So, HTML, CSS, Javascript, Wordpress and PHP AND a FIRST PROJECT TO APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON…. and try to shave (ooops!) from time to time since it'll be long to be able to keep you afloat.

Our purpose is to do what we can and build an MVP (google Minimum Viable Product) and HIRE much better freelancers than we could become even in a lifetime from anywhere on this planet to make things happen at a scalable range.

TO BE CONTINUED if there is enough interest. It's really a very first draft of ideas throwing on the fly. Meant to be entertaining while helping (sort of).

DISCLAIMER : this applies to people willing to accept some strong directions. They are doing business, they love it, but they'd even love more to see their projects on the web. Coding is a necessary though cute, nice and invigorating evil. They need responses to get down to earth fast and code with a purpose (™). This is not intended to offence anybody.

Do you feel it's worth continuing ? Please comment, or just go on for it in the same mood. Add your stuff. Fall apart. Be creative.

Wow, feels good after 44 badges of frustrations. :)