Learning XML Unit 7 Blog assignment!

Learning XML
About four years ago when we started podcasting in the library I had to learn about XML (Extensible Markup Language) to create a functional RSS feed. We were also asked to begin investigating the pros/cons of RSS and RDF as we first started research work in developing our digital library. So XML quickly became a major part of my working life whether I liked it or not.

I initially learned XML by just looking at what other websites, podcasters, and repositories had done and how they were organized. I also went through various web tutorials, W3.org info pages, and even the Apple iTunes help pages on what elements were necessary to make our feeds work. This process was very unconventional and for the most part worked for my needs but was spotty and to be honest confusing.

Unit 7 of our class has been largely focused on the purpose and use of XML. We were instructed to view a series of instructional videos by Mark Long. Those videos, along with our readings, and the course lecture and assignment notes have been invaluable because I not only learned basic XML structure, which I was familiar with, but the basic rules that apply to that structure. I learned that "well formed" XML may not necessarily "Validate" against the rules of the DTD it is associated with. I don't find XML to be quite that confusing anymore but then I haven't even tackled XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) yet.

The most helpful modules in the videos tutorials were the ones on structure (5 golden rules!), special characters (watch out for those greater than symbols), and most importantly attributes. I'm still not 100% on when to use or not use attributes in XML (I had actually never considered them myself) but it seems as though, most everyone else is still asking that same question.

Practice system update!
So far, so good! I followed the instructions in our Unit 7 assignment and was able to connect to my new "server" remotely, and even though it's a laptop run it in Headless Mode, which for non techies means I didn't use a keyboard or monitor actually attached to the system. In fact, to emulate the sense that the system was indeed headless, I closed it up and stuck it under my desk. Worked like a charm. I have been simultaneously running my VM system as well for added practice and was able to ping both systems and essentially have two separate servers running in my house. Albeit, closed systems. Each system also now has a personal web space for a user, which helped me understand the whole public folders at both the ASU and UofA personal web space accounts.