Over ten years ago I was in pursuit of a Web Design Certificate program at UC Santa Cruz Extension. My initial coursework were HTML/HTML Frames, Dreamweaver, and the graphic principles for the web. I didn't finish the program, but I learned enough to continue honing my interest in web design (and eventually in book and graphic design).
The earlier websites I created are too shameful to show. But mind you, I created this purely from HTML (there was no XHTML or CSS back then). Geocities and Lycos were the website hosting giants that everyone used, particularly because it was free. And my material was mostly family photographs, bits of news, announcements, and other mementos. Because web-creation was not as 'user-friendly' back then, very few people really joined the bandwagon on creating their own sites.
Today is a different story. As the internet evolved exorbitantly over the years, so has the easy-to-use tools made available for everyone to 'mark their territory' on the world wide web. While 'new media' was recognized as the fourth type of communication medium (radio, television, and print being the original three), the term 'social media' arose from the advent of blog, micro-blog, social networking, web spaces, and other sites that foster an online community. Everyone was interested in having a piece of web space to claim, whether it was in a social community, a personal webpage, or a blog. Web technology moved at a fast pace as dynamic interface became the goal, and appropriately, it was given the name ‘Web 2.0’. It means the second generation of web development and web design.
And as I reflect back on the web’s not so distant past, I realize how it was a right decision to give up pursuing that web design professional certificate. Had I invested time and money into the program I would have been faced with an obsolete technology. I am better off choosing the path of self-learning as books, video tutorials, forums, and information articles have been easily accessible. And in the field of design there's no better teacher than practice and experience.
In the next few months (or years!) I have a self-imposed agenda to learn Adobe's most recent product line, the CS4 suite, which include some of the software I am familiar with in the earlier versions, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver, and some of the new tools I had previously limited exposure with, such as InDesign, Fireworks, Soundbooth, and Flash. And to add just a couple more to my curriculum, I intend to also study the features of Adobe Framemaker and Corel's Painter 11. Definitely a lot to take on, but my expectations are rather 'grounded' (creative hobbies do fall second to family and career!). I intend to be a master of a few and have working knowledge of the more. In the end it would be a worthy educational investment. The skills I learn will, no doubt, help me in my current career, my design business, my masters program, and ofcourse in channeling my creative interests.
And while I'm on the path of learning, I intend to utilize the best, easiest, and most practical web tools around. Here's a list of my top picks, some I have used and others I've experimented with:
If you want a Website: Wix.com is simply amazing! It's a flash website builder and host. This is the current home of my small business: http://www.boopublication.com. They do offer minimal fees for hosting if you want more bandwidth and they are perfect for little start-ups!
Microsoft Office Live is also very ideal when taking your small business online. It currently hosts the non-flash version of Boo Publication. They offer free hosting, templates, and online support. The tool is as easy as using MS Word!
Both Yola.com and Weebly.com are award winning website creators. They host for free too and use the 'drag and drop' interface.
If you want a Blog: It's quite obvious I am a fan of OnSugar.com, where my current blog resides. The templates are limited, however, but if you are familiar with CSS and HTML, it is fine to play around with the look and features of your blog. Another blogging platform I highly recommend is Wordpress.com (or Wordpress.org if you're savvy with 
software script and prefer to host it on your own!). Wordpress is very easy to use and has built in analytics that makes it easy for you to track the popularity meter of your blog. Unfortunately it does not allow any advertising, so if you are intending to do any paid product reviews or giveaways, this may not be a solution for you. You can try Google's Blogger.com, which is connected with Google Ad sense. Although the standard templates in blogger are not that attractive, you can find many sites offering free amazing-looking templates.
Xanga.com and Livejournal.com are also very cool! I'm not too fond of the graphic advertisements, but sponsors do support the sites.
Oh, and if you don't have much to say, Twitter.com is the way to go! This cool micro-blogging site is fun to use. Interestingly, I decided to join after reading Zappos' CEO Tony Hsieh testimonial on using it. When I signed up, I also found out that it was a fantastic social media tool for my design business, not to mention I can also view the tweets of my favorite vendors, media sources, book authors, and friends.
If you want to be a part of a Social Network:
Multiply.com is always a favorite. I hosted my own site there for awhile. Definitely a fantastic site to use for those who want to control who can view on each entry, photograph, or review. It also 'slurps' your photos from shutterfly, kodak gallery, etc. and your blog entries from other sites.
Facebook.com grew on me. At first I was hesitant to use it because I love Multiply. However, during a trip back to my hometown, I found out that a majority of my relatives and friends were on Facebook. So as the saying goes, if you can't beat them, join them! And I have absolutely no regrets! Facebook has fantastic business and fan pages that have helped me increase my network and communicate the happenings of my blog and design business.
For some of you that want your own social network, have a look-see at Ning.com. I used to think Google and Yahoo groups were cool concepts, but Ning definitely takes this to the next level! Shewrites.com, a social network for women writers that I belong to using the Ning platform.
Who doesn’t have online content nowadays?
Why the nifty name? Because this page does exactly what it means. It creates an impact, particularly when the chosen image for the page’s background covers the entire computer screen. I have seen individuals use a mesmerizing photograph, a collage of their portfolio, or even just a photo of themselves (My sister and I fall in this category!). 
