Many professionals already working in the field of internet hosting and web design don’t need to go back to school for credit programs, but they do want to stay current on new trends, concepts and software options. Using open courseware classes is a terrific option since they are free, are designed for self-study and can be accessed literally 24/7 from any computer with internet access.

There are many different courses to choose from but for those already working as web designers or those just getting started the following 10 courses will be of particular interest.

1. Software Applications for Web Applications – this program, offered through ArsDigita University allows the students to actually develop an interactive website based on a real world client’s specifications. The site will include a database, cookies, SQL as well as scripting language and HTML.

2. Open Web Mapping – students will learn how to incorporate open source standard software code to add interactive maps to website designs. Mapping servers and parameters of programs will be examined as well as how to customize these programs to meet individual website requirements. This program is offered through Penn State, College of EMS.

3. Database, Internet and Systems Integration Technologies – this MIT practical applications course is designed to allow students to understand how different technologies can be incorporated into website design. The course will cover http, html, XML, SOAP, security as well as data networking protocols and system integration.

4. Communicating in Cyberspace – this course encourages students to think about how different forms of visual communication online are effective and influence the web. This program is offered through MIT OpenCourseWare and is designed to represent a broader view of online communication.

5. WebAIM: Web Accessibility In Mind – developing websites that are accessible for people with different abilities and disabilities is the core component of this program. Offered through NAGT Cutting Edge (SERC) students explore how different technologies or applications enhance website design for a wider audience.

6. UNU Media Studio Blog – this study reflects the unique and multidisciplinary approach to developing open source documentaries and interactive content for the world wide web. The information on the site is tagged and categories for ease of searching and reading.

7. Blogs, Wikis and New Media For Learning – a very current look at the Web 2.0 user generated materials now popular as aspects of webpages and sites. This course is designed to address how blogging, RSS feeds, social bookmarking, photo sharing, podcasts and video sharing have influenced web design in an interactive website design. This course is offered through Utah State University OpenCourseWare. 

8. Designing Sociable Media – an MIT OpenCourseWare program, this course looks at how social websites have influenced and changed both online interactions as well as in-person communication. This understanding can help web designs in developing sites for specific types of target audiences as well as for the general public.

9. International Politics In The New Century – another MIT OpenCourseWare program, this reflective course takes a look at how online gaming with a political focus has changed how opinions are formed and modified. This information can be very useful to web designers with clients that wish to share specific political or organizational opinions.

10. An Introduction to E-Commerce and Distributed Applications – offered through The Open University OpenLearn, this course focuses in on different e-commerce options and applications for sales websites. The course will allow web designers to learn the pros and cons of different online sales programs as well as security issues.

He also has a post with a list of free social networking sites. From his picture Gavin also appears to be a handsome guy. After reading these posts and looking over his site I just subscribed. Perhaps another way to increase your subscriber base is to contact people one at a time. Something I haven’t done yet.

I also received an interesting e-mail from Mert Erkal of Search For Blogging. Mert has invented a term called Bloghology, which is similar to an anthology. This is an e-book with a collection of blogger profiles including photos, information about them, and 5 of their best posts.

This is actually a pretty interesting read. And if you are not in this edition, it’s possible to get in the next one. If this catches on, I assume we’ll all have to do it. Anyway, I put a button on my side bar with a link to Bloghology, if anyone would like to take a look at this free e-book.

I finally decided to check it out. I watched the video and browsed through some of the material. Then I made a simple card (I’m working on my custom one), and put the code on my site. I don’t understand all of the intricacies, but one way to earn credits, is by dropping your card on other sites.

While looking for a list of sites, to drop my card on. I discovered the fun part of entrecard. When I clicked on the card on my site. It took me to a site about Japan, then I clicked on the card on that site. And kept going on each site. I discovered a whole new world of blogs, that I would have never known existed, were it not for entrecard. Plus, I earned credits by dropping my card on each site.

I’m not sure how useful entrecard will be in the long run. But it’s fun. If you haven’t tried it you should definitely check it out. I don’t really need another time waster, but thanks to the miracle of RSS I’ve been reading the same blogs over and over. Seeing all of these new sites was really refreshing.

Also, since I was new, and didn’t have any credits, I decided to enter some of the entrecard credit contests that have been going around. And I won 416 entrecard credits from Sly at Slyvisions. Plus hopefully I’ve made another blogging friend.

I’d love to hear your opinions about entrecard. Check it out and let me know what you think. Emma

Cman of Profitable Productive Blogging is giving the gift of links this Christmas and decided to make it fun and share the spirit of giving with others. I was lucky enough to be included in his day 2 group of 12 links. Thanks Cman. Here is the list of links. And I’m replacing my site with 13 Steps.

Performancing
Ian Fernando
Make Money With Kassper
Warrior Blog
Lost Art Of Blogging
Net Hustlin’
Blogging Fingers
13 Steps
Rosalind Gardner’s NetProfits Today
Daily Moolah
Online Presence
The Blog Beat

A Reader Question:

I’ve noticed, that sometimes when new people comment on my site they give me an explanation of how they found the site first. Kind of an introduction. I’ve noticed that sometimes, when I’m exploring a new site, I will feel hesitant about commenting. So this leads to my first reader question.

Have you ever skipped, commenting on a new site, because of suddenly feeling, shy, awkward, unwelcome, apprehensive, etc.?

Bonus Question: Who is this 1960′s Super Villain?

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Bigger Blogger Blogs Directory

When I first began blogging I stumbled upon Mike’s Money Making Mission. It was one of the first blog’s I subscribed to, and I read it on a regular basis. I’ve also left comments on his site, and he was the third person to comment on my site. Not that I’m counting.

Mike is from Cornwall, England. He retired early and now he gets to spend his time doing what he wants. Sounds like my kind of guy, plus I bet he has a cool British accent.

The premise of his blog is Making Money online without spending a cent. So far he’s done pretty well. He is on week 46, and he has made $3063.52.

The things I like about Mike’s site, are his honesty and creative ideas. Each week he gives a report stating how much he has made from each source. He bravely and honestly tries out different methods, and shares his results. Then he keeps what works and discards what doesn’t.

Mike has a page rank of 5, and you can buy a spot on his blogroll for 12.00$ a month. He also has some creative links in his sidebar. Including a couple of stores and a Squidoo lens. Very clever Mike, your giving me ideas.

I always learn interesting things from Mike. For example, I discovered the story about the guy, who traded a red paper clip for a house ,on Mike’s blog.

Mike’s sidebar also contains links to all of the money making affiliates he has tried. I get a lot of useful info from Mike. He seems like a really knowledgeable smart guy. I’ve read a lot of his site, since I’ve been following along, for about 3 months now.

But, when I have more time, I’d like to go back and read the rest. Which won’t be an easy task, since his archive for 2007 alone, contains 209 articles. His sidebar lists quite a few informative cornerstone articles as well.

The bottom line is, Mike knows what he’s doing. If you like creative money making ideas, transparent results, and someone not afraid to test different techniques, then Mike’s Money Making Mission is for you.

I should also mention, the reason I’m doing this review, is because from reading Mike’s blog, I found out, about a new site called Fair Review. With this site, you review posted sites, and then in turn you get reviewed. Pretty cool, huh? You may want to check this out as well. Emma

Friday was a successful blog day for me. It started out a little shaky with “zero subscribers“. But, by the end of the day I was very happy.

Friday night, I checked my Adsense and discovered, I had made over 3 dollars. I know, your thinking, “3 dollars a day, that’s nothin!”. Not 3 dollars a day, 3 dollars that day. If you have a blog you’ll understand.

When I checked Google Analytics, I discovered I had 192 visits, and 166 unique visitors. This was my best day yet. I was ecstatic.

As if this wasn’t enough, Saturday morning I discovered a strange incoming link. And found out that Kirk over at Just Thinkin’, wrote a very nice review of my site, and Sara’s Forum, The Blog Experiment.

This made my day! This was my first review. Not paid. Not planned. Thanks again, Kirk.

One of the things I like about blogging, is the great people I get to interact with. Becoming part of a blog community is really fun.

So once again, I want to Thank, each and every one of you for stopping by, and following along.   Emma