This is a bit old - you may or may not notice the date on this post but it's over a year old. That doesn't mean it's not useful but we all know how fast things chance on the web so there's a chance that techniques and technologies described here could be a little dated.

Where to keep up with the web and continue learning

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In my last proper post I introduced a couple of resources I recommend to those getting started on the web.
But where do you go from there to keep up to date and continue learning? Apart from browsing these hallowed pages of course.

Here are a few of the resources I regularly use to keep track and reference, I have plenty more in my RSS reader (Google reader! I’ll be looking for an update) but these are the ones I regularly end up visiting and reading from. They offer a variety of levels of interest and difficulties.

For designers

Smashing magazine – possibly one of the biggest resources on the web, not just for designers but they cover all things web with their blog and some very useful ebook collections.

A List Apart – a great site with very forward thinking articles on all aspects of design and development.

Spoon Graphics / Line 25 – Spoon graphics is the site of Chris Spooner who presents plenty of useful design tutorials.

Net tuts – Net tuts is part of a huge network of different sites offering articles and tutorials on a large number of web design and development areas.

For front end coders

Some of the already mentioned sites have plenty of front end coding stuff, Smashing mag, Net tuts and Spoon Graphics. In addition CSS tricks is run by Chris Coyier and is a great resource for cutting edge CSS techniques and information.

For back end coders

For back end coding the afore mentioned Net tuts is a great place to get information on all sorts of stuff. On top of that David Walsh offers great articles on back end stuff such as PHP as well as jQuery, HTML and CSS.

For documentation

There is some great documentation online Php.net and JQuery have great online documentation.

For those designing, developing and running websites on a daily basis

Boag world – The website of Paul Boag of Headscape – there is plenty of food for thought on there and it is about the only web podcast I listen to all the time. It’s also a great place to ask a question.

For troubleshooting

Stack Overflow – another great place to ask a question but also a great place to look to see if someone has already asked – and had an answer – before you.

Google – do I need to provide a link to Google? Really? You have a problem, google it, you’ll probably find you aren’t the first person to have the issue.

For general interest

There are plenty of great designers and developers out there who love to write about what they do – here are just 3 who are well worth keeping track of and will also often post links to stuff they find interetsing on their blogs and twitter.

Trent Walton – a Texas based website designer who builds some great work.
Elliot Jay Stocks – Bristol based designer who posts plenty of interesting stuff.
Stuff and Nonsense – Web studio of designer Andy Clarke who also posts some great links. He is also half of another good web podcast about freelancing Unfinished Business