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> Instead of seeing CSS as an annoying way to 'style' pages, see it instead as a visual programming language for constructing visual guides (UI's) for your user

> Instead of seeing CSS as an annoying way to 'style' pages, see it instead as a visual programming language for constructing visual guides (UI's) for your user. > You don't 'style' pages, you 'construct' and 'architect' them. It sounds weird to use these words, but they have a massive effect in changing your perception of what you're doing. And that has a massive effect on your impression and willingness to learn how to do it well. I honestly don't understand what this means (I read the corresponding blog post but am still confused, unfortunately). Could you expand, possibly?

elliotec 6y ago
Yeah I mean, sure you 'construct' and 'architect' the web page but you definitely still 'style' it and using different words doesn't make CSS any less annoying to use
- taphangum 6y ago
  Semantics do actually matter quite a bit. They are what ultimately determine your frame of reference, and ultimately, how you use a thing. It's more of a mental model with which to see it. If you view a webpage as something to be 'architected', rather than as simply something to be 'styled', every else you do (as well as how you feel when you're doing it) changes.
  - scpedicini 6y ago
    I am happy that you think that works for you but I have a hard time believing that it will have any actual meaningful effect for most people. You can describe an activity in any different set of synonyms but the activity at its core does not change. Your approach reminds me of a cross between "neurolinguistic programming" and the character Tom Sawyer when he convinces everyone that painting a fence is fun.
taphangum 6y ago
Have you ever found that your enthusiasm towards something changed once somebody explained it to you from a different perspective? A lot of the problem developers have with CSS, has to do with the way they see it. Developers don't typically like to 'design' things in the artsy sort of way. But they do like to engineer them. CSS can be viewed from both of these perspectives very accurately. The latter however, generates more enthusiasm for the developer. And enthusiasm is key to everything else.

elliotec 6y ago

Yeah I mean, sure you 'construct' and 'architect' the web page but you definitely still 'style' it and using different words doesn't make CSS any less annoying to use

taphangum 6y ago
Semantics do actually matter quite a bit. They are what ultimately determine your frame of reference, and ultimately, how you use a thing. It's more of a mental model with which to see it. If you view a webpage as something to be 'architected', rather than as simply something to be 'styled', every else you do (as well as how you feel when you're doing it) changes.
- scpedicini 6y ago
  I am happy that you think that works for you but I have a hard time believing that it will have any actual meaningful effect for most people. You can describe an activity in any different set of synonyms but the activity at its core does not change. Your approach reminds me of a cross between "neurolinguistic programming" and the character Tom Sawyer when he convinces everyone that painting a fence is fun.

taphangum 6y ago

Have you ever found that your enthusiasm towards something changed once somebody explained it to you from a different perspective? A lot of the problem developers have with CSS, has to do with the way they see it. Developers don't typically like to 'design' things in the artsy sort of way. But they do like to engineer them. CSS can be viewed from both of these perspectives very accurately. The latter however, generates more enthusiasm for the developer. And enthusiasm is key to everything else.