I learned a basic version of XHTML code a few days ago. My beginning knowledge of HTML didn't consist of much, except I concluded all the backslashes and angle brackets were confusing. Being a journalist, this definition made the most sense to me: "It's a way of describing how a set of text and images should be displayed to the viewer, similar in concept to a newspaper editor's markup symbols." It's the glue that keeps the page together and unfortunately involves a large amount of memorizing. It seems by general consensus online, it takes about one month to properly learn the code and format adequately to feel comfortable creating a good webpage. Since I decided to whet my XHTML palate, I've been using tutorials to familiarize myself with the basics.

A few things I've come to realize:

1. XHTML is useful even if you aren't an IT programmer. Besides being able to create and tweak your personal webpage without paying someone to program it for you, it's a resume enhancer. The ability to go through arduous memorizing and learning difficult technological processes lets an employer know you're proactive and technologically savvy (therefore increasing your usefulness in a future business world immersed in technology.)

2. It's growing. And fast. I'm sure elementary schools will begin teaching XHTML because it will be essential for everyone to be a programmer in the future. Ergo, living in the internet-age, it wouldn't be a bad idea to familiarize ourselves with the common processes our children are learning...

3. The backstage pass is yours. Gaining knowledge of how any aspect works backward invariably assists comprehension of how it works forward. Smart education is learning the infrastructure behind things you use online each day.