CIW Community - Get caught in the Web!

Below is a collection of podcasts and links to podcasts for your enjoyment. Each covers concepts and best practices covered in CIW courseware and exams. Trust us - you'll find quite a few exam "easter eggs" in them thar MP3s, so enjoy!

Back in 2000 or even 2002, if you mentioned the word "convergence," the technologically hip knew you were talking about putting voice and video over data networks. It was all about Voice over IP (VoIP). Oh, and I didn't write Tragically Hip, Dan Aykroyd's favorite band. I wrote "technologically hip." As in tech hipsters. Hip geeks - few as they are. But I digress.

At any rate, it's now 2008, and the meaning of "convergence" has shifted. Now, convergence means using the Web as your VoIP platform. XHTML, XML, and other technologies are essential. Hence, the CTP certification program.

"CTP" stands for "Convergence Technologies Professional." It's a certification about VoIP and putting voice and video on Web and data networks.

Want to become a true convergence professional? Take your CIW Foundations or Master CIW Designer certification and start learning about VoIP, data, and telephony. Your career (and bank book) will thank you!

The Web and Open Source: A Summit in Richmond
Lee Baber is a talented instructor who lives in Virginia. She specializes in creating online communities for youth, as well as for fellow instructors. Recently, for example, Lee was able to present at the the K12 Online conference. She's a true expert in Web design, blogging, podcasting, and open source. CIW's own James Stanger and Lee met up in the summer of 2007at a CIW Focus group in Richmond Virginia. After the focus group, they were able to talk briefly about the state of the Web and open source. (opens new window). This mp3 file for this podcast is also listed below.

DNS: A designer's best friend?
DNS is one of those "it just works" things for many would-be page designers. It seems to be one of those topics that fits somewhere between words such as "Cisco," "geek" and "boring" in your mind. But you really need to understand DNS in order to function as a true Web designer and developer. While you'll be able to move on to advanced CSS, Flex, and Ruby on Rails in no time, you'll always need a basic foundation in DNS. To help some students who struggle with understanding DNS and its importance to designers, below is a two-part podcast:

• DNS part 1 This link will open a new window. A second way to download this file is provided below, as well.
• DNS part 2 This link will open a new window. A second way to download this file is provided below, as well.