I’ve been asked by a few people about jQuery and why it is better than using other applications, or languages. I seem to answer questions better by giving examples, so I think I’ll try to approach this subject using this method.

First off, according to Wikipedia “jQuery is a lightweight cross-browser JavaScript library that emphasizes interaction between JavaScript and HTML.” If that makes sense to you, then you can stop reading right here, because you already know everything I’m about to say.

“Should I use jQuery over another application?” Well, that depends. Imagine you have a website. There is nothing wrong with the site, but it uses flash in the header. The header runs perfectly on your computer, and as far as you know perfectly on all others. However, if you think about it, once you type in the URL, your site loads, but there is a brief second or two when your header is not there. (You know you have had this happen to you) This does not happen on all computers, but it does happen.

Now don’t get me wrong here. I am not saying that flash is the most awful thing out there, but there are alternatives that perform better. jQuery is one of these alternatives. One reason it works so well is that the include file size is so small compared to loading a flash object. All you have to do is include the file in the head of your HTML or php page. Other than decreasing page load times, which enhances the user experience, file size also now helps with your search engine positioning.

On the other hand, jQuery does have its drawbacks. It is cross-browser compatible, but this only means that it “works” on most browsers. The output can vary slightly. So if you are wanting the exact same thing to show on all browsers, I would stick with the flash version of the header. However, if you do not mind small graphical differences then I would go with the jQuery version. (If anyone would like to see examples, just comment to this entry, and I will post them.)

In my opinion, the advantages of jQuery would outweigh the disadvantages.

…of course, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Sesame Street and The Muppet Show are both fantastic television shows. Little did I know while watching it as I was a child how true Kermit the Frog was when he sang his now famous song, “It’s not easy bein’ green.”

Going green is an important action and idea that is gaining recognition each and every day. Today I am going to write a little about the importance of going green and its impact on the environment, as well as other implications it has on our society. It is a relevant topic of discussion because we are all inhabitants of this planet, (even though some people act as if they are out of this world) and because we share this common bond, its importance affects each and every one of us. Even though this Web Site is primarily for web design and development purposes, I have decided that I may as well attempt to inform anyone that may stumble upon this address with other topics of which I am well educated.

I’ve been concerned about the environment since I was very young and my fourth grade science teacher explained that if we kept using Styrofoam cups. . . we would have to wear a space suit to even step outside, by the time we were adults. This was definitely before the “going green” phrase came into existence. Thanks to Mrs. Thomas, to this day I have continued to research this topic for various reasons, including its relevance to my Degree in Public Administration and Political Science.

I ramble. . . let me focus more on the topic at hand.

Going green is important because it has significant effects on the environment. It urges for an increase in recycling, which helps the environment. Recycling items such as water bottles or aluminum cans greatly reduce the amount of waste that occupies landfills. When we recycle items, such as said water bottles, the manufacturing of new bottles decreases. Another way it is significant? The production of new bottles allows for more chemicals and/or toxins to be released into the air we breathe. The process of recycling involves much less work, and emits fewer harmful gases into the atmosphere.

There are many other ways that going green is important and has a significant effect on our environment, but if I were to address them all here, you very well may go blind before you finish reading. Ergo, I move on.

These are just a few of the ways that going green directly impacts our environment. I would like to tell you about how going green can affect our, and future generations in an indirect manner.

There are other positive aspects of going green that are unintentional. In our search for alternatives to help us become more environmentally friendly, we tend to discover new technologies that may play an important role in the future. In other words, it inspires innovation.  All of the hype of going green creates a more knowledgeable public that is more aware of the consequences of our actions. This is especially important for younger generations, because what they learn now will allow them to be more conscious of their actions later.

The indirect effects of going green are an important part of going green in general.

I know by now that I will most likely be getting a few emails bashing my environmental positions. Rightly so. I believe that we are all entitled to our own opinion, and I respect that. I would ask that you do the same for me. However, if you feel the need to comment, go ahead.

Speaking of other opinions, I think now I will address a few of the opposing brand.

Even though there is strong evidence supporting the positive aspects of going green, there are still many people that oppose it. One of the main opposing views that people have regarding going green is how much it costs.

According to the Lowe’s home improvement website the current price for one two pack of 100 watt incandescent light bulbs costs $2.38 and the price for a two environmentally friendly, fluorescent bulbs is around $10.00.

Even though the initial “sticker-shock” opinion seems like a valid argument, when we take a closer look at the long term we learn that this opposing view holds no water. According to the General Electric Company’s website, the fluorescent light bulbs “Last up to 16 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.” Simple math shows that the cost of having enough incandescent light bulbs to equal one fluorescent bulb would add up to around $19.00.

Another point that people tend to stand behind is that going green has no significant effect on the environment. In Jennifer Weeks article, “Future of Recycling”, she points out one important belief that critics of going green have. She states: “Back in the early days of recycling, critics argued that recycling not only cost more than dumping waste in a landfill but also used more energy than it saved.”

This argument has been going on for quite some time, and it is one of the most common misconceptions of the going green lifestyle. This is especially true today, as Weeks points out in the same article, that the costs of hauling, using the landfill, and having waste incinerated has been rising from year to year, creating an expensive method of disposal.

While there are many opposing views that people have regarding going green there are plenty of valid arguments that refute each misconception, and the main ingredient of doing so (as it is in so many other cases) is knowledge.

Maybe for a few of you, addressing these opposition opinions may have provided a bit of unknown knowledge. Good. I hope that you can understand how these views help hinder the importance of going green becoming a worldwide necessity.

This brings me to, if I were a lawyer, my closing statements. The end of a lengthy diatribe, that I do hope affects someone who reads this in a positive manner.

Going green is more than just an idea. It is a way of life that is extremely important for our survival. While the term has been becoming more widespread over the past few years, the topic of environmental friendly actions has been foreseen for many more. In closing I would like to leave you with lyrics from the song “Silent Spring”, that stress the importance of this topic and how it can affect our day to day lives. “And may there never come a time, when we’ve used it all up, and the final bell starts to ring. And no new rainfall, and no new bird callin’, no new life… Just a Silent Spring […] I’ll start with one, and you’ll make it two. We’ll make a chain now, there’s nothing we can’t do. It’s not overnight, just day by day. Let’s start a fire. Let’s make a better way.”

I’ve been putting the finishing touches on the new ModyPody design, and everything is beginning to come together quite nicely.  I’m sure that there are plenty of things that I need to iron out, but in the mean time I figured that I should post something on le ol blog.  

So you have a blog.  Now what do you do with it?  Well, the simplest answer to that question would be: Whatever I want. 

As this site grows the blogging section should begin to take a more formal shape.  For now,  it will remain a mixture of random information, e.g. posts that deal with ongoing projects, and  other relevant topics involving design, programing, etc.