Advanced web design training?

[A. Helfman]

Dear Colleagues,

	I am in a classic "good news-bad news" situation! The good news is, I have
been authorized to spend money to update my web site creation skills.  The
bad news is, I don't know where to get *advanced* training, and so I am
turning to the Web4Lib community for advice. I searched the list archives
and found a brief discussion from last October; I also searched the Web and
found some relevant sites, but I need more information.

	I know HTML (including forms, tables, and frames) and have studied C
programming in a UNIX environment. I want to learn more about CGI and Perl.
I want to learn JavaScript, and I am also considering tools such as CSS,
DHTML, and/or XML. I need to know more about database delivery over the
Web, preferably incorporating Oracle or Filemaker Pro. I have been using
Paint Shop Pro to edit graphics, but some formal graphics training wouldn't
hurt. I'd like to find a course on web design principles; I'd like to learn
more about what does/doesn't work and why. I may also need to learn about
digital image management.

	I realize that it's possible to teach oneself many of these skills, but I
have been given an opportunity to go beyond that level, and I want to take
full advantage of it. I'd like to hear recommendations and/or war stories
on any part of the "laundry list" above. I took a one-day class this spring
that was billed as "Advanced HTML," but *I* ended up teaching half the
session! I want to avoid a repeat of that experience.  I would prefer
"live" instruction to an online course, and it would be easiest for me to
attend a class in or near NYC. I'm wondering if people have any opinions on
commercial training centers vs. college courses, or on the value of
certificate programs.

	I look forward to your replies, on or off-list.



Amy W. Helfman        Associate Librarian         HUC-JIR, NY
ahelfman at huc.edu               http://www.albany.edu/~helfman