Well i started a website a while back and started working on it. i tought myself html, xhtml,css, javascript, php, and mysql using the online tutorial websites such as W3schools.
However, i felt like these tutorials didn't teach me enough to actually be able to create a website on my own. maybe some parts of it, but not the whole thing. Also, i feel like they missed out on these important concepts

• How to structure the lines of codes to make it easier to read, write, & add more content
• how to deal with problems and what they mean
• in what order to code my website/priorities. basically, where to start

I want to finish the website I am working on. Afterwards, depending upon how it went, im hoping of starting a non-profit community-service type of website.
however, last time i tried creating the website, I had no clue where to start, no clue how to structure my coding, and no clue how to deal with problems once they arose. Basically, i ran into one problem after another, and it took forever to try to figure out how to fix each individual problem. I put in tons of time with little result.

This time i want things to be different. I don't want to spend 3 hours searching the web for an answer to every single problem i get (which happens frequently). I want to be able to get stuff done.
I wanted to take some web coding classes at my local community collage but it was unavailable for the summer and i doubt i'll have enough time after summer's end.

So i'm asking you guys for help here. What the should i do? I really want to get this thing done but I actually want to be able to do it this time. is there any reading material that will help me here? or are they even any better than the websites? i don't know what to do and need advice.

I would say start with books or an online class. They typically go into more detail about theory, history and the relations to real world practices. I don't have an html book to recommend but I have and still use CSS mastery.

I also have taken 3 online classes from a local community college and got more from a structured course than random knowledge you usually find on any given website.

Hi Chris,

I came up to this site http://www.logicaltips.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=9

this will help you and get some ideas on setting your web design goal.

I think it would be great if you provided a website that you wanted to improve so we could take a look at the source code and perhaps give you some advice/tips on how to improve certain areas of your content

Have you considered a content management system (CMS) such as Drupal, Wordpress, or Joomla? These systems can provide strong website presences without having to do a ton of the dirty work. HTML, PHP and MySQL skills still come in handy, but you can spend most of your time worrying about usability and choosing content for a website instead of wrestling code.

Hope this helps!
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Personally, the most important lessons I learned along the way came from working on other people's code, and working with other people in general. Although there are many good resources available (as you have listed), you've brought up a fundamental weakness in trying to learn and do everything by yourself. Although most of us are pretty much self-taught, professionals always have people we can lean on if we don't know something.

I don't want to spend 3 hours searching the web for an answer to every single problem i get (which happens frequently). I want to be able to get stuff done.

I feel your concern. You are probably aware of this by now, but research is part of the process. As you gain experience, the amount of time you spend doing research will diminish, but I use references pretty much every time I do a project. So your goal should be to know which references you can rely on, and how to browse them quickly.

As far as learning how to structure your code, I definitely encourage you to buy a book or two about CSS or HTML, and read the reviews before you buy them to see if they will help you with your goals. But know there is no 100% right answer to this, it is more of a creative process, and one that feels right to you. Don't be afraid to make notes in your code to explain what you are thinking. Use semantically meaningful classes and ids, so that you can guess what each item means later just by looking at it.

Look at other people's code! HTML and CSS is all public. I'm an immensely curious person, and have the keyboard shortcut for "View Source" burned into my brain. If you like a site, check out what is under the hood.

Thank you everbody. all of you really did help. I honestly wish i could take a class at the community collage, online or on campus.. but its just not available right now for some reason..

alright so, i am going to get a book. i think that sounds like a great idea. Can any of you recommend some good books? and should i order them or would my local book store have them?

Check with your library. If the local branch doesn't have what you need, ask them to check the inter-library loan list. This will give you a chance to check several books and see what you need.

Once you've narrowed your search down, check out one of the larger stores in a city or high traffic mall. You can also check at a college bookstore.

Most community level con-ed classes coincide with the school year, so summer's not a good time to be looking for them. Keep an eye out once school starts back, though and you'll probably find something.