March 5, 2001
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NKYINKYIM
("Twistings"; Kyim="twist")
symbol of initiative, dynamism, and versatility

This literally means to turn oneself around in all aspects of life.

This symbol signifies the ability to take initiative and play many roles, adjust and withstand difficulties. The symbol advises people to endure hardships and be committed to their duty. It also stresses the need to live exemplary lives for others to emulate.

--from Values of Adinkra Symbols by Adolph H. Agbo

• adinkra symbols guide

My work at TSS Software is very rewarding. The main project is to train the staff in web design techniques. As I train them, I am preparing teaching materials that they can use to offer web design as part of their computer training offerings.

We hold class on three afternoons each week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 6. The biggest surprise for me has been the enthusiasm that the entire staff brings to the project. I had thought only one or two programmers would be interested in learning web design. Instead, almost everyone in the company, from the managing director to the receptionist, has attended our sessions. In fact, Mr. Owusu, the managing director, is one of the top students!

Overall, the aptitude level has been impressive. At the first session, I ran out of material in an hour. I wasn't prepared for the speed with which the class would catch on. We started with the basics of HTML (the code on which web pages are based) and moved to JavaScript (a scripting language for interactive elements like animated buttons).

Now that they've done the hard work, I will show them the WYSIWYG programs that do the hard work for you! We'll spend a little time working with Macromedia Fireworks, a web graphics and animation program, and then learn Macromedia Dreamweaver, a web site development package. My colleagues back home will note that I'm finally forced to use Dreamweaver, instead of my program of choice, Adobe GoLive. TSS only has Dreamweaver... :-(

J
Photos: Jean at the whiteboard; a happy JavaScript customer (Tony Aboagye);
the TSS training room, with class in session


Accra Dispatch # 5 - page 2