KEEPING IT SIMPLE

I am not an expert on the Web or HTML. I'm with most people, trying to do the best I can with what I know, and to find out more. So this page isn't all "John tells you how to do it". It's more "here are links to good Web sites run by people who do know".

This page is about HTML and browsers. If you want to look at design tips first, go to the next one. But do come back; there's some good stuff here.

Standard HTML

Like a lot of really good ideas, HTML is essentially simple. Take an ordinary text file, and add some standard tags so that any browser will be able to format it for display.

A key word there is "standard". There are HTML standards. These are open standards, the same for all of us, which anyone can use and know others can too. They are set internationally, by agreement. Not for the commercial advantage of any particular corporation. Those are what you use.

There are also proprietary tags supported only by particular advanced browsers; they don't work with others. Those are what you don't use, at least if you want everyone to get the best out of your work. If you want help build the Micro$oft monopoly, go right ahead.

More information about HTML

I like manuals, and prefer them to on-line "help". The trouble is that so many computer books are expensive and very badly written. (And I don't just mean the manuals written by someone none of whose languages is English or American English.)

The HTML book I am using is expensive ($50), but for that you get 1000 pages of helpful instruction and references. It is HTML 4 HOW-TO, by John Zakour, Jeff Foust and David Kerven, published by Waite (part of SAMS), ISBN 1-57169-125-1. I liked it much the best of those I looked at, and have found that confirmed in use. Particularly useful features are the simplicity of the instructions, though that might grate on the more knowledgeable, and the care taken to identify which versions of HTML, Netscape and Explorer support which features. So far as I can tell, on HTML the book is comprehensive. It doesn't deal much with design, except for tips mostly on better ways to code.

If you use one source on the Web, make it this one

I have found a Web site on HTML and design that I like. A lot. It is Athel Cornish-Bowden's Creating a Web Page - a Basic Guide, principles of friendly web pages. (As a research scientist, he's used to long titles.)

He describes this as "a small contribution to the Any Browser campaign". More accurately, it's the clearest explanation of how to put together an HTML document I've seen. It's well structured, and to the point. I wish I had written it. If Dr Cornish-Bowden ever wants a change from biochemistry in Marseilles, a second career beckons.

Why are you still here ? Perhaps you're just polite. Actually, I do have a few more resources to offer.

Open to any Browser

First in this field is the Any Browser campaign site run by Cari D. Burstein. It has lots of useful links and advice on design. Far too much to list here - go and have a look for yourself.

There is also a huge selection of graphics with which to wave two fingers (or equivalent) in various languages at Micro$oft and other greedy would-be monopolists. You want to put it in Klingon ? Just for Trekkies, you can. More seriously, displaying a campaign logo reminds everyone who visits your site of the importance of designing for access for all.

Text-only and Lynx

Lots of us either surf the Web with our browsers set for text only, for example to save time downloading, or have equipment which is only capable of handling text.

Lynx is the freeware text-only browser. If your pages work for Lynx, they should work for other browsers set for text-only. You can test your pages at Steve Baur's What does your HTML look like in Lynx ?. You can download the browser from its developers at Lynx Information. An alternative way is via Lynx links, a page maintained by the "well-known international arms trafficker" Subir Grewal. (If you want the story, follow his link to his home page; he tells you how to become one too if you're in the US!) Another site with good links is Lynx Appreciation.

Do have a look at Dehanced for Lynx, with its gallery of horrible examples. It's worth it for the schadenfreude! But ask yourself: "do I want my site to look that bad text-only ?"

Design tips ?

Then read on.