Coding, a necessity for serious IMers?

[Z0mbie]

I think having at least intermediate knowledge of HTML/php definitely helps, has helped me on many occasions. By the way, schema would be on my list as well. I just never felt the need to implement it so far.

It's the future. Jump on the bandwagon early.

 

[Z0mbie]

OP, if you're simply looking to be able to create authority sites, and manage/edit them on your own, then my suggestions would be as follows. Firstly, you'll need to learn HTML along with CSS - FULLY! Once you've got a solid ground in those both, then start watching some PSD to Wordpress tutorials to get yourself accustomed to the designing/coding process behind creating a website. Furthermore, after becoming an efficient designer/coder (it would be in your best interest to learn about design theory or User Experience design, to insure your sites have maximum appeal to your users) I would suggest you jump right into either PHP or Javascript (of course learning it FULLY via tutsplus or codeacademy etc.), have a basic understanding, and only then should you start dabbling on your own IM projects.

I myself was in your same situation, and actually put IM to the side for a good 7-8 months in order to gain a strong grasp on Web Development; it's not a simple process after all.

Now..I'm not sure what it is you plan on doing on the software side, but you won't need to learn Java/C or any other software language, for your authority site.

Hope the best!

Thank you for the detailed response.
Yes, I guess I'll have to brush up on my knowledge of HTML and CSS.
I'm already pretty good at UX and CRO.

This has always confused me - why do I need to convert from PSD to HTML? Can't I code directly in HTML and have someone else do just the graphics like the header and all?

 

[WPRipper]

This has always confused me - why do I need to convert from PSD to HTML? Can't I code directly in HTML and have someone else do just the graphics like the header and all?

Yes you can do that, but is not that hard to work with PS. Plus graphic designers ( good ones ), are expensive and also it takes time, so my advice is to learn PS basics. You don't need more because there are a lot of free resources out there and all you will do is (maybe) change a PSD file a bit to match ur needs ... and that's it.

 

[qrazy]

It's not necessity but it really comes handy when you do custom things which aren't available in public and when you don't have money to hire someone to do it

 

[west13]

What about a Jack of all trades with a killer mind for marketing. A good coder might just make money from selling themes and other realted stuff but a brilliant marketing mind can sell and make a lot more. Just sayin

 

[Z0mbie]

Yes you can do that, but is not that hard to work with PS. Plus graphic designers ( good ones ), are expensive and also it takes time, so my advice is to learn PS basics. You don't need more because there are a lot of free resources out there and all you will do is (maybe) change a PSD file a bit to match ur needs ... and that's it.

Ah, I see. I guess I'll add Photoshop basics to the list of things to learn as well. I just managed to get over the procratinating/laziness phase in IM.
I was thinking of just hiring a full-time in-house graphics designer in January. We'll see how things turn out.

What about a Jack of all trades with a killer mind for marketing. A good coder might just make money from selling themes and other realted stuff but a brilliant marketing mind can sell and make a lot more. Just sayin

Sounds like me

 

[Roparadise]

What language to create gpu accelerated programs?

 

[s0ap]

What language to create gpu accelerated programs?

C, C++, C#, Java, Javascript (WebGL). Probably Python as well. The big hurdle is learning OpenGL or DirectX, especially if you have no math background.

 

[amoore9900]

I think it helps my partner/brother is a big $$ coder...to be able to dream up a software program cause you hate what is on the market and it gets made is an advantage..(granted 2 years later)...I also want more then the general wordpress themes like you said so I have someone now coding the money sites not sure if it will make a difference or not but I'm going to see..