My Web Development Journey Part 1: The Idea
My Thoughts About My Website
The initial concept was to craft a website where fellow coders, like myself, could find inspiration - be it project ideas or updates within the coding community. However, upon inspecting the website I've developed, it appears to be somewhat incomplete. My intention was not only to create a space for personal blogging and progress tracking but to build a platform that could be explored and appreciated by others.
My goal extends beyond a mere personal space; I envisioned a place where my self-taught coding abilities could not only fuel my blog but also generate additional income. Ultimately, I aimed to create a space that would be worth visiting for fellow developers, offering insights, inspiration, and perhaps a touch of exploration.
Throughout my journey, my programming skills have often found appreciation only among my close friends and family. With a sincere hope, I envision this website evolving into a platform that resonates with developers like myself. It's more than just a website; it's a dynamic space that will undergo consistent updates, and my aspiration is for it to blossom into a community where programmers mutually value each other's work.
As of November 13, 2023, if you're exploring the website, you'll notice there's much work ahead. The decision to publish it in an incomplete state was deliberate; it's a conscious effort to invite everyone to witness the ongoing progress and, hopefully, to inspire collective contributions in transforming this space into a true home for programmers.
The Struggles
I embarked on my coding journey by downloading my favorite code editor, Visual Studio Code. The initial vision for my website began to take shape, but I soon realized that translating it into reality was more challenging than anticipated. Having never worked with HTML before, I faced a steep learning curve, requiring extensive research to grasp the fundamentals. Gradually honing my HTML skills, I found it to be a manageable task.
However, the challenge escalated as I delved into JavaScript. While I was grateful for my background in C# and Python, which provided a solid foundation, adapting to JavaScript presented a unique learning curve. Despite the initial hurdles, the process of developing my website unfolded through a series of small projects. Balancing this with a job and family responsibilities made the journey demanding, yet rewarding. Each step forward brought me closer to seeing my vision come to life, making the journey all the more fulfilling.
For those who claim that "learning a new language isn't that hard," the real challenge often lies in the application. While grasping the basics may not be overly complex, the true test is in the practice. Personally, my patience wore thin as I navigated through the intricacies of learning, especially when trying to implement specific techniques essential for bringing my imaginative ideas to life.
The learning curve was steep, and I found myself hitting mental roadblocks. Frustration set in, exacerbated by the realization that progress seemed slower than desired. Numerous breaks were necessary to allow my brain to absorb and process the information effectively. Amidst the struggle, the prospect of turning my website into a source of income served as a driving force, pushing me towards my ultimate goal. The mantra remained: build a website, and success will follow.
The Struggles Continue
After an extensive learning journey, I began to gain confidence in my skills, reaching a point where I felt ready to kickstart my website. That pivotal moment led to the creation of my inaugural page, which looked about like this.
For some reason, I felt compelled to include Python teaching on my website. However, after receiving feedback from the Reddit community, it became apparent that this might not be the best approach. Understanding their perspective, I delved into further research on the topic. It became evident that a significant number of individuals are seeking inspiration to create projects of their own.
The constructive criticism didn't stop there; some also pointed out the less-than-ideal color scheme on my website. Acknowledging the importance of visual appeal, I decided to go back to the drawing board, ready to revamp both the content and aesthetics for a more engaging and appealing user experience.
After exhausting my efforts on the design, I shifted my focus to determining the content that would populate the site. While a developer's blog was a given, I recognized the need for additional diverse content to enhance the website's utility. Scrapping the initial plan of including a Python learning program, I contemplated the possibility of integrating an AI on the homepage—something interactive and enjoyable for users to engage in programming-related conversations. Little did I know, this decision would lead me into the most significant project of my life.
I aimed to employ Python in crafting the ultimate AI for my website, but the server I had chosen proved to be a hindrance. Frustrated, I decided to leverage my newfound skills in JavaScript to bring my AI vision to life. With unwavering dedication, I diligently worked to create a simple chatbot capable of engaging in small conversations and answering basic Python questions. Excited about this new feature, I shared it with a few friends who, in turn, discovered thousands of bugs and complications.
Undeterred, I dove back into the code, tirelessly fixing every issue. After hours of hard work, I was relieved to see the chatbot functioning seamlessly. It was late at night, and I planned to update the site the next day. However, to my dismay, I woke up to find the newly improved AI corrupted—a random and devastating event. Morale hit an all-time low. Forced to make a tough decision, I reluctantly deleted the AI, realizing that redoing all that work would significantly slow down my development. With a heavy heart, I had to shelve the idea for a later date.
My Vision Coming To Life
After navigating through numerous challenges, I decided to take an extended break. The journey had left me feeling burned out and overwhelmed. Amidst facing both constructive and critical feedback, I invested countless thinking hours into a website with an uncertain future. The need for a break was undeniable, yet during this respite, thoughts of potential failure loomed large, and I couldn't shake the fear that my hard work might go to waste.
Fortunately, I had my fiancée by my side to provide a much-needed perspective and support. She played a significant role behind the scenes, contributing to the project by designing the logo. Her pride in the website, and her exceptional logo-making skills led me to cherish the image, eventually making it the official logo for the brand. This adventure wouldn't have been possible without her unwavering love and support, turning the entire experience into something truly special. I'm witnessing my vision come to life, one step at a time. Frankly, it might seem like I'm just dreaming, especially as I encounter more critics and what feels like people telling me I'll never make it as a web designer. Yet, amidst it all, I find fulfillment in doing something I genuinely enjoy—coding.
After the logo, I decided to share my website on Reddit for additional feedback. Within five minutes, comments started pouring in, though disappointingly, most were trolls attempting to undermine my efforts. However, amidst the negativity, one Redditor stood out as a valuable guide. They pointed out, "Your website appears somewhat stale, almost like a static HTML document," and considering my website mirrored what is displayed on my screen, I couldn't argue with that assessment.
Despite suggestions to use an editor like WordPress for easier website editing, I was determined to chart my own course and enhance my coding skills. Instead of succumbing to self-pity and opting for the easy way out, I resolved to diligently work on transforming my website into something more dynamic and visually appealing. The result is what you see now—not perfect, but a significant improvement for the present moment.