The MWS program was interesting and probably typical of what we would be asked to do in a job -- take a very mobile unfriendly website and make it mobile / offline first.

I'm going to build a "new" website, using the techniques we learned.  It won't be completely new as I will be using old data.

They didn't mention optimizing websites and using tools like babble, to make them more mobile friendly.  Webpack is the latest tool to accomplish that, and I'm going to start with web pack first.

The resources I've been looking at include:

The official Docs

Step by Step instructions for newbie - this is what I am using below.

Not really about Webpack but good stuff for later.

I've created a Github repository at https://github.com/kathweaver/AmBRN-Mobile. Feel free to join the fun.

The first thing to do is set up .gitgnore file so it will ignore node, Mac stuff, and Visual Studio stuff.  That's in my master branch 

Now I am switching to a branch called setup-webpack 

The next thing is to initialize npm, which adds a package.json file

Then we install Webpack and the Webpack cli.  Note that you need to add --save-dev so that the dependency will be added to the package.json file.

Next I configured Webpack.  Added a script in package.json and a configuration file.

Finally I'm going to add some HTML from my old site and put it in the src directory.  Since I don't have any javascript code yet, I created an empty main.js. 

The build worked.  In theory now, anyone can download my repo and it will build in Webpack.  I'm committing this branch and working on the next part later.

The Udacity course had us take a regular web site and turn it into a mobile web site.  Those are also called progressive web apps.

The point is that the web site is available both on and off line, that it works on any device from old cell phones and computers to the latest and greatest in smart phones, tablets, and computers.

The philosophy is mobile first, as if it will work on an old phone with a small screen and memory it will work anywhere.  The site is cached to make it run faster, and the data is stored on the device as much as possible.

It's already making me a better web design teacher, and I think it will help with the non-profit and not for profits I work with.

I personally believe in designing for mobile, and that mobile web apps are more flexible than apps written for the phone.  In fact, my Window phone would still work on a mobile web app.

Over the next few days, I'll be blogging about that experience

Somewhere in my internet travels, or maybe my email, I got the opportunity to apply for a Udacity nano-degree scholarship.  I had seen the program years ago and I was meh.  Having been through the scholarship with the extra support, I'm thinking it could be a good choice for a lot of people.  We have people in the group who have gotten jobs or have changed their current job for the better.

I don't think it is a replacement for a CS degree, but if you are already degreed or your skills need brushing up, this gives you a portfolio and official sign off on learning.

At the same time, the course material needs updating. There are plenty of resources on the net, and there are walk throughs.  

It is a major time suck.  I know I spent more than the recommended 10 hours a week.

Over the next few days, I'll be blogging about that experience

Somewhere in my internet travels, or maybe my email, I got the opportunity to apply for a Udacity nano-degree scholarship.  I had seen the program years ago and I was meh.  Having been through the scholarship with the extra support, I'm thinking it could be a good choice for a lot of people.  We have people in the group who have gotten jobs or have changed their current job for the better.

I don't think it is a replacement for a CS degree, but if you are already degreed or your skills need brushing up, this gives you a portfolio and official sign off on learning.

At the same time, the course material needs updating. There are plenty of resources on the net, and there are walk throughs.  

It is a major time suck.  I know I spent more than the recommended 10 hours a week.