Title: Learning ‘proper’ CSS Last modified: December 20, 2016 --- # Learning ‘proper’ CSS * [skeen](https://wordpress.org/support/users/skeen/) * (@skeen) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/) * Hello, I learned all of my HTML and CSS from The [Osbourne Complete HTML Reference](http://htmref.com)[ book]… it covers all HTML and XHTML, but I dont quite think it covers all CSS… it doesnt teach CSS validity nor does it teach how to ‘shorten down’ CSS statements. Is there a place where I will be able to find full CSS coverage? Everywhere I go seems to just teach the basic stuff… and apparently I need to learn more. … where did you guys learn? Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) * [max](https://wordpress.org/support/users/max/) * (@max) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28138) * are the best reference material on the subject. If you want classes then check out: The IWA online classes are excellent – [Intro to CSS](http://iwa-hwg.eclasses.org/cgi-bin/ql/search.cgi?template0=cl/nomatch.htm&template1=cl/IWA-HWG/course_main_info.htm&template2=cl/IWA-HWG/ch.htm&template1=cl/IWA-HWG/course_main_info.htm&template2=cl/IWA-HWG/course_main_info.htm&listing.services=H151&listing.services_option=1&listing.ref=Main_eClassescourse_main_info.htm&listing.services=H151&listing.services_option=1&listing.ref=Main_eClasses) [W3schools](http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp) [Westciv](http://www.westciv.com/) * [mriannnnnn](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mriannnnnn/) * (@mriannnnnn) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28139) * here is another great site for CSS: [css.maxdesign.com.au](http://css.maxdesign.com.au/) the tutorials helped make CSS click for me. * [NuclearMoose](https://wordpress.org/support/users/nuclearmoose/) * (@nuclearmoose) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28160) * [Community MX](http://www.communitymx.com/) [Position is Everything](http://www.positioniseverything.net/) * [southerngal](https://wordpress.org/support/users/southerngal/) * (@southerngal) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28167) * I just use Top Style and play till I get it right. 😉 * [NuclearMoose](https://wordpress.org/support/users/nuclearmoose/) * (@nuclearmoose) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28172) * [@sushubh](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sushubh/), You say you lack the capacity to learn CSS? Bah! 🙂 You certainly can. I like So-gal’s approach…get some code, and start messing with it. IF you used Firebird or Mozilla for a browser, you could install an EDIT CSS extension that will load the CSS for a site into a sidebar menu. You can then literally fool around with the CSS, and it will make the changes for you. There’s nothing better than going…”Hmmm, what does THIS do?” and then type in a change. All of a sudden a font goes gigantic or a graphic disappears or the grey background goes a happy pink colour. You can even use this tool for your own site. Open it up in the browser, goof around with the CSS, and if you hit on something that you like, you can COPY/PASTE it into your existing stylesheet, then upload the changes to your web server, hit REFRESH and badda-bing! Your site is now changed. So, as you can see, a browser can be used for more than just browsing. The Web Developer Toolbar that’s available for FB/Moz is just great. There are so many things you can use to help you figure out problems or mess with the site in non-destructive ways. Anything you change in the EDIT CSS sidebar is per-session only, so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes. Just close the sidebar, reload the page, and try again. Like anything, CSS is easier with repitition. After a time, your code gets leaner, and your uses and understanding of the coding gets better, and you do more advanced things. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Craig. * Moderator [Matt Mullenweg](https://wordpress.org/support/users/matt/) * (@matt) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28173) * I would highly recommend TopStyle, it’s a great tool that you can learn a lot from. Eric’s books are, of course, great. * [max](https://wordpress.org/support/users/max/) * (@max) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28179) * NuclearMoose, Where can we find those extensions? * [NuclearMoose](https://wordpress.org/support/users/nuclearmoose/) * (@nuclearmoose) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28183) * [@max](https://wordpress.org/support/users/max/)– The Web Developer Toolbar is located at [this site.](http://chrispederick.myacen.com/work/firebird/webdeveloper/) Enjoy! It’s a GREAT set of tools. Craig. * [Sushubh](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sushubh/) * (@sushubh) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28184) * Ya, i have used topstyle. and i never said, i can’t do it. I have done a lot already on my blog. but to generate really good stuff will take enormous more effort and i am going to do that soon. 😉 * [southerngal](https://wordpress.org/support/users/southerngal/) * (@southerngal) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28194) * I make sure that I use TS even when I hand code .CSS. That way the code is valid and will show just about the same in every browser. At least that’s what I have been told. 😉 * [mriannnnnn](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mriannnnnn/) * (@mriannnnnn) * [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28198) * If any of you are on a MAC topstyle is not available (great tool BTW I love it when I’m on a PC). But he best alternative for us Jobites is [CSSEdit](http://www.macrabbit.com/cssedit/) check it out. Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) The topic ‘Learning ‘proper’ CSS’ is closed to new replies. * 11 replies * 7 participants * Last reply from: [mriannnnnn](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mriannnnnn/) * Last activity: [22 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learning-proper-css/#post-28198) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics