Web Development, Design, and Legal Concepts: Comprehensive Quizlet

What's the difference between the internet and the web?

The internet is the global network of computers; the web is the system of linked documents and media using HTTP/HTTPS.

What three core technologies make up front-end web design?

HTML (structure), CSS (presentation), JavaScript (behavior).

What happens when you type a URL into the browser?

The browser sends an HTTP/HTTPS request to a server, retrieves the resource, and renders it using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

What is semantic HTML and why is it important?

It provides meaning to content, improves accessibility and SEO, and makes code easier to maintain.

Difference between absolute and relative URLs?

Absolute includes full path (http://example.com/page.html); relative is based on current location (/about/index.html).

What does the attribute in an tag do?

Provides alternative text for accessibility and when the image fails to load.

When should tables be used in HTML?

Only for tabular data, not for layout.

How are forms structured in HTML?

With a

element containing inputs (text, radio, checkbox, textarea, select, button) and labels.

What's the difference between block, inline, and inline-block elements?

Block starts on a new line (e.g. <div>), inline flows with text (e.g. <span>), inline-block flows inline but keeps box dimensions.

What is the CSS box model?

Content → Padding → Border → Margin.

Difference between inline, embedded, and external CSS?

Inline applies to one element, embedded is in a <style> tag in HTML, external links a separate CSS file.

What does position: absolute do?

Positions an element relative to its nearest positioned ancestor, removed from normal flow.

What do media queries enable?

Responsive design by applying CSS rules based on device width, height, or orientation.

How do Flexbox and Grid differ?

Flexbox is one-dimensional (row OR column), Grid is two-dimensional (rows AND columns).

Name two advantages of SVG graphics.

Scalable without losing quality; smaller file size for simple graphics; easily styled/animated with CSS/JS.

What's the difference between em, rem, and px in CSS?

px is fixed pixels; em is relative to parent font size; rem is relative to root font size.

How is JavaScript added to a webpage?

Using the <script> tag inline or by linking to an external .js file.

What is the DOM?

Document Object Model — the browser's representation of the webpage, which JS can manipulate.

What is an event in JavaScript?

An action like a click, hover, or key press that can trigger a function.

What's the difference between == and === in JavaScript?

== checks for value equality with type coercion; === checks for strict equality without coercion.

What is a JavaScript function?

A reusable block of code that performs a task and can return a value.

When should you use JPEG vs. PNG vs. GIF?

JPEG for photos, PNG for transparency/graphics, GIF for simple animations.

Why optimize images for the web?

To improve performance and reduce load times.

What does the Wikipedia browsing study reveal about user behavior?

Users follow curiosity, jump in and out of pages, and leave quickly if content quality drops.

What design lesson comes from the Wikipedia study?

Ensure clarity, quality, and easy navigation because attention is fragile.

What is Berkun's main idea about project management?

It's about communication, iteration, and breaking work into achievable steps, not rigid control.

How does Berkun's approach apply to a directed study?

You must act as your own project manager by setting goals, tracking tasks, and holding yourself accountable.

What is 'quality' according to the book?

More than efficiency — it's a mindset of patience, care, and attentiveness to detail.

How does Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance relate to web design?

Slowing down and focusing on details leads to better design outcomes and fewer mistakes.

What lesson does the motorcycle maintenance metaphor teach?

Treat frustrations as part of the process; careful 'maintenance' prevents bigger issues later.

What are two risks businesses face on social media?

Copyright infringement and privacy violations.

Why should web designers care about legal issues?

Publishing content carries responsibility for intellectual property, brand reputation, and compliance.

What is the main difference between posts and pages in WordPress?

Posts are time-based and organized by categories/tags; pages are timeless and hierarchical.

Why does the posts vs. pages distinction matter?

It affects navigation, SEO, and how users experience the site.

Give an example of content that belongs on a page vs. a post.

Page: About, Contact, Privacy Policy. Post: Blog entries, news updates, articles.

What is the 'Rule of Thirds' in design?

A guideline to place the focal point along the lines dividing an image into thirds for balance and interest.

Difference between RGB and CMYK color models?

RGB is additive (millions of colors, for screens), CMYK is subtractive (thousands of colors, for print).

How are colors specified in RGB for the web?

Using values for red, green, and blue (0-255), often in hexadecimal (00-FF), e.g., #FFFF00 = yellow.

What is copyright?

Legal protection that requires permission to use creative works unless they are in the public domain.

What is Creative Commons?

A system that allows creators to license works with permissions for reuse under certain conditions.

What does 'royalty-free' mean?

Content that can be used without paying ongoing royalties, though some restrictions may still apply.

What is 'fair use'?

Limited use of copyrighted work without permission, based on purpose, nature, amount, and effect on the market.

What is libel, and how is it defended?

A false written statement damaging someone's reputation; truth is the ultimate defense.

What are Aristotle's three rhetorical appeals?

Logos (logic/information), Ethos (credibility), Pathos (emotion).

What are the four stages of engagement in the 'Pathway to Engagement'?

Attention → Usage → Habit → Community.

What are examples of factors influencing engagement?

SEO, design, content/social media, user-generated contributions, newsletters/podcasts/events.

What are the four parts of the 'content ecosystem'?

Creation/curation, location, distribution, conversation.

What communication needs do community members have?

Information, entertainment, connectivity.