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Build
a webpage
In
my opinion to make a webpage you need to at least know the basic
tags of HTML. Although it is claimed that some ways of making
a webpage require no knowledge of coding, sooner or later you'll
need to understand how HTML operates. If you missed the page about
learning HTML there's more information there and access to an
excellent link to an HTML tutorial
I
was green as grass when I wrote my first web page. But luckily
fate was smiling upon me. I bought a slim book called "Teach Yourself
HTML" in 1998 by Mac Bride, published by Hodder & Stoughton and
worked away using the same method of checking as I do today. I
use Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Other browsers may not work
so well for my method.
I
advise you to start a folder called "My web pages" or similar
to hold all your webpage work and keep your work in it. As you
progress you can make subfolders for each project.
This
is just an exercise in writing a webpage so just pick a topic
you know, such as a pet or your neighborhood and let's go. Hopefully
you'll know about the basic tags, so make up a blank sheet in
Notepad and add in the tags for HTML, TITLE, HEAD and BODY.
For
the title put in something meaningful, then in the body section
write some timeless prose like "Blacky is my cat. Blacky is black.
I love Blacky, he wrecks my carpets and furniture".
"Your
file should look like this"
Save
it as blacky.html into your folder. The file must have an .htm
or .html suffix to be recognised by a browser. I recommend you
use .html always. When you go into the folder you'll see "blacky.html"
has become an icon.
Double
click on the file icon and you'll see your literary offering come
up in the browser screen; it will look something
like this
Choose
the View menu on your browser, select Source and you'll see your
original Notepad screen. Any changes you make here and save will
be reflected in the browser screen. If you use the lower toolbar
you can alternate between the Notepad and browser screens; make
changes in Notepad and save, minimise it, then check the result
in the browser screen.
Use
the 'refresh' icon to update the browser screen or you won't see
the revision. If you know a bit about HTML you'll appreciate that
your page can be developed in many directions. Text can be resized
and colored, graphics or sound can be added. This can all be done
with zero cost; you simply have to increase your knowledge of
HTML.
In
my ignorance I made my first webpage in 'frames' that are frowned
upon now, because search engines have difficulty with them. Talk
about "where ignorance is bliss". Had I known how difficult frames
are supposed to be I wouldn't have attempted it and the world
would be poorer. I believe that frames work for this website.
My
point is that I started the site with minimal knowledge. Incidentally,
'frames'are not generally a good idea because they confuse search
engines. Each framed page consists of two or more separate screens
so a search engine is likely to put only a part of the complete
page up causing confusion all round.
"HTML
editors"
It cannot be denied that the repeated typing of the same old tags
is boring and can lead to errors, and there are 'HTML editors'
that take the drudgery out of making a webpage.
Although
HTML editors still require a knowledge of HTML they work rather
like word processors. Tags are inserted at a click of the mouse
and colour and formatting is used to make the coding easy to understand
and read. An editor also acts as a memory prompt which is always
welcome.
Like word processors, HTML editors come in many flavours and have
to be mastered to use their full potential. The HTML editor that
I have used for many years is CuteHTML by Globalscape. But I have
recently come across a free editor called HTML-kit. Registering
and paying a fee allows several plug-ins to be downloaded but
the standard version is free for personal use. If you would like
to try it download
it here and try making a webpage.
I
have downloaded it but haven't had much time yet to assess it.
My first impression is that it tries to do too much but it's certainly
impressive. There is a lot of support online.
Using
an HTML editor takes the drudgery out of coding web pages but
still needs a fairly comprehensive knowledge of HTML. There are
programs, such as Microsoft's FrontPage, that many people use
successfully to produce good-looking web pages with minimal knowledge
of HTML. They are looked down upon with disdain by many contributors
to Web Authoring newsgroups, who insist that everything should
be hand coded. My attitude is "if it works for you, use it"
"The
professional approach"
Macromedia's Dreamweaver is a program used by most professional
website designers. It is a massive program and is not a soft option
because it takes a lot of time and effort to learn to use it effectively.
It also has a big price which is OK for professionals who can
command a good price for their designs. Dreamweaver can be purchased
as part of Macromedia Studio, a suite of website building tools
that also includes Fireworks, an integrated graphics program.
I
use elderly versions of Dreamweaver and Fireworks, that serve
me very well although I still have a lot to learn about them.
These programs differ from the lower-cost programs such as FrontPage
in that they are more versatile. Whereas FrontPage uses fixed
templates, which admittedly can be modified, Dreamweaver is freeform
and can achieve anything that hand coding can, very much quicker.
Even so a knowledge of HTML is required at times.
What
next? Building a complete website of course. See you there! and
here's to carefree computin'
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