Client side scripts (JavaScript) run in your browser after the page from the server is loaded.
Server-side scripts (e.g., PHP, ColdFusion, Python, .NET, Java, etc.) deliver the content (HTML, javascript, css) to be rendered by your browser.
Until AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript And XML), these were clearly defined: if you hit the refresh in your browser, the server would deliver updated content; otherwise, it was probably client-side scripting that would result in any user interaction, content changes, etc.
With AJAX, you can fetch pertinent data from the server and modify portions of the page (via the client-side Document Object Model (DOM)) based on the server data. The AJAX process of fetching data from the server and updating the current page can be triggered by clicking a button, leaving a text field, or a number of other predefined “events”.
So what does this have to do with jquery? Jquery is a library that sits on top of javascript and, for one thing, removes a lot of browser-compatibility issues. Over the years, I’ve developed libraries to abstract the compatibility issues, but a.) they did it better and b.) what happens when the next browser comes out?
So that, in and of itself, is an argument for jquery, but what really gets me about it is how it’s affected my entire approach to code organization. I mentioned “events” earlier. My standard practice in the past was to assign events in my HTML code. Jquery has taught me (even if I stop using jquery) the benefits of assigning a class and/or id to an HTML entity and then binding events to that class/id via javascript.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are the optimal way to style your document. You can declare that all paragraphs (or all paragraphs with a given class) have a yellow background or purple text or various other (extensive) options. You can also assign style via HTML attributes or inline styles — and there’s a place for these — but having a good, well organized style sheet is ideal.
Clear as mud? I don’t care. I’m not trying to be obtuse. It’s complicated and has taken me years to even talk on this level.
Previous version of the main header (images/title) had
4 lines of PHP
0 lines of css
70 lines of javascript
Current version:
14 lines of PHP (also load the images on the server side and merely move them around on the client)
13 lines of css
14 lines of JS.
Even beyond the raw numbers (74 vs 51 lines), there’s a better balance between technologies and it’s also more maintainable, in my opinion.
I’m just looking for jHealthcare/insurance and jStewardOfTheEarth, ’cause I’m not clear on how government appropriation of healthcare or cap and and trade are going to help this indebted nation 🙂
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
Checked the U.S. National Debt Clock: Over $11.5 trillion. That may be out of date, but I doubt it’s gone down. I’m somewhat reassured that my part of it (as one in an estimated 306,542,822 Americans) is only $37,634.05. I mean, that’s pretty heavy, but a trillion is such a big number (excepting stars, atoms, and stuff like that), I expected it to be more. Really, though, when you think of it in terms of the way debts work, like my mortgage or student loan, it could take me 20-30 years to pay that off. On top of (or I guess integrated into) ~30% taxes.
What’s the interest on our loan anyway?
This site says in 2006, it was ~4.6%. Never seen the site before, I have no idea what the interest rate is.
http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2005/11/interest-on-national-debt.html
How big is the Military? This is one site’s opinion:
http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm
Tried to sound fairly sane and reasonable. Save the ranting for later.
I probably should have spelled out the bills. HR2454 is Cap and Trade, S.607 and HR1207 are both in the interest of auditing the Federal Reserve.
Full text:
The Honorable Baron Hill:
Dear Representative:
Here are some unsolicited opinions. I’m not really sure of your position on them, but you seemed like an appropriate person to express them to.
I see you voted for HR2454 (cap and trade). I hope you did the right thing, but I’m skeptical. I’m a huge environmentalist, but I think it’s a scam.
I’m surprised you haven’t co-sponsored HR1207 yet. I realize it’s crossing party lines, but I can say among the many of your constituency I have spoken to about it, many had not heard of it, but no one has opposed it. Are you against it? If so, please explain.
There are many other bills that concern me, though I really have neither the time nor the knowledge to really be sure what they are saying. The concern generally centers around their potential impact on The Bill of Rights. I know you are sworn to uphold The Constitution and am confident you will.
best regards,
andy
The Honorable Richard Lugar:
Dear Senator:
I’m not sure where you stand on these issues, but to your credit, I don’t know how many times growing up in reference to Indianapolis politics, hearing my parents say, “Lugar wouldn’t have done that …” or something similar. They’re definitely fans of yours and they’re pretty smart people.
I’m surprised you haven’t co-sponsored S.604 yet. Are you against this? Do you feel the same about HR 1207? Most of your constituency I’ve spoken to had been unaware of the movement to audit the Federal Reserve, but none have been against it. If you are against it, I would definitely welcome your informed opinion. Maybe I’m missing something.
HR2454 has passed the house. I’m a huge environmentalist, but I think it’s a scam. I’m not alone:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2454/show
I’m guessing I’m preaching to the converted on this one, but thought I’d mention it.
There are many other bills that concern me, though I really have neither the time nor the knowledge to really be sure what they are saying. The concern generally centers around their potential impact on The Bill of Rights. I know you are sworn to uphold The Constitution and am confident you will.
I see you’re on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Freezing North Korea’s assets may well be a good way to diffuse the threat. That’s just good ol’ Hoosier common sense 🙂 That said, I don’t like the fact that we’re always at war. It’s expensive both morally and economically. I think the threats are exaggerated to further the expansion of military industrial complex. In our current financial crisis can we afford to have troops and bases in almost every country in the world?
best regards,
andy
The Honorable Evan Bayh
Dear Senator:
I’m not that familiar with your voting record, but I do take heart that you clearly have no reservations in crossing party lines to vote as you believe. I’m sadly skeptical of your comment that “Most senators aren’t sheep”, but hope you’re right, and glad you’re not one.
Specifically, I’m glad you’ve come out against HR2454. I am a huge environmentalist, but I think it’s a scam. I hope your opposition is of similar form and not tainted by coal interests.
I’m surprised you haven’t co-sponsored S.604 yet. Are you against this? Do you feel the same about HR 1207? Most of your constituency I’ve spoken to had been unaware of the movement to audit the Federal Reserve, but none have been against it. If you are against it, I would definitely welcome your informed opinion. Maybe I’m missing something.
There are many other bills that concern me, though I really have neither the time nor the knowledge to really be sure what they are saying. The concern generally centers around their potential impact on The Bill of Rights. I know you are sworn to uphold The Constitution and am confident you will.
I’ve had issues with the medical industry for years. I think doctors often over-prescribe and pharmaceutical companies, well, they’re tv commercials make me sick, so let’s just say that for now.
I’m not saying advanced medicine does not have a place,
The Drugging of Our Children ~2hrs
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3609599239524875493&ei=R21SSu7YCZHgqQKggdEI&hl=en
Vaccine Nation ~1:30:00
“I think we really need to do more research before we give all these vaccines to our children” — some person in this video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6531447125053615129&q=source%3A002333234812045693176&hl=en
quackery — no way!!!
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/spotquack.html
Intense. Titled “How to Survive What Is to Come” 10 min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QppVtw_zzWU&feature=related
4th, Rage ..,
I think I typed “4th of July nwo” or something like that into a video search on July 3 and this came up. Proposes a worldwide protest against the NWO on 7/4/2008.
Agenda 21 and the Club of Rome: Environmentalism seems like such a good idea. Still believe in constitution, local economy, organic, free range, non-GMO, renewable energy, stewardship. I would say, “sustainable development”, but it looks like they’ve completely perverted and co-opted that term.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4aD3_tJNsc
pt 2: Population Reduction for a Global Nation: Further down ye ol’ rabbit hole:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWMszO2HaJY
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