openmind — Tue, 30 Dec 2003 22:42:06 +0000

Amazon offer a very cool service where you can display their entire stock catalogue, and I mean everything, through XML. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/103-5829029-8012635?node=3435361

cordedpoodle — Tue, 30 Dec 2003 22:07:17 +0000

thanks, I think I am gravitating to almost exactly where you are. Love CSS. XHTML easy and sensible. My next site will be transitional.

PHP/MySQL seems to be the ticket as it's X platform and free.

Seems to me that XML would be useful with Flash perhaps?

XSL isn't quite ready for prime time.

Maybe what I need are:

1) What are the strenghths and weaknesses of each technology?

2) A specific site that teaches one how to set up a site with commerce.

Thanks. I'm monitoring in rapt anticipation.

Busy — Tue, 30 Dec 2003 22:00:21 +0000

Depends what you want to do with it, XML and XSL aren't really needed for everyday sites, even e-commerce it can be a nightmare and overkill.
Even just sticking to CSS and XHTML (start off as trans and work to strict later) will get you ahead leaps and bounds.
Then move onto server side, I'm biased so will say PHP/MySql as it's pretty easy to learn and use (except when you run into big problems lol) but again it depends on what you want to do with it.
Learning XHTML first will help learning server side as its case sensitive in most cases and dotting your i's and crossing your t's helps

Remember the old saying, just because you can doesnt mean you should.
keep everything in reality