Tutorial 2: Page Building

Do yourself a favor and write the following address down:

HTML Goodes is one of the best places I have found for concise and simple explanations for most of the HTML problems I have had. They are an excellent resource, and they will save you a lot of hair pulling as you develop your page.

Webpage Tips

• First, get something that allows you to edit HTML files. If you have the Notepad word processor that comes with Windows, you have the basic HTML editor. (And, I would strongly advise using Notepad over other word processors because Notepad does not add header or footer material to files.) Another software package you might try is Homesite 4.0

  Basic concept: Remember in algebra how when you open a parenthetical expression, you always close it...like (3+4)*2 ... or in more complex situations: ((3+4)/(2*3)) ... The same is true in HTML. If you begin a centering function, you must close it at some point to return the browser to its natural state. Also, if you open three functions, like so: "<1><2><3>", you should close the functions in the reverse order that you opened them. Closing a function looks similar to opening one... the only difference is you add a / just inside the opening < brace.

• To develop graphics, get ahold of a graphics program like Adobe or Paintshop Pro. If you don't have access to either of these, MS Paint will work in a pinch, but the ones I mentioned, especially PSP are recommended by almost anyone you talk to.

• Create your basic HTML page. Remember what the AQ said in the earlier tutorial...get a sketch of what you want before you actually start working on the code. Once you are ready to start the code, have a browser opened to HTML Goodies in case you need to refer to them. Then, start applying code to your sketch. Check your work often in a browser window so you catch any errors that come up. Save your work often.

  Be flexible, especially if this is your first page. Be ready to change your plans according to how the code works out on the browser. In page coding, it is better to aim high and have to come down a bit than to aim low and have to work your way up to where you want to be.

• Once you have completed the code, upload it to a webspace provider and check it out. If everything loads in a sensible amount of time (15 to 30 seconds), and if all the links work, you're ready to start advertising.

• Be sure your page is relatively complete. While no page is ever entirely out of the "construction zone", as the AQ said in an earlier tutorial: "A single index page all by itself without any links to other parts of your site causes visitors to usually become frustrated and then they never will return." A page to me, is a series of HTML files about a subject that are strung together in a directory structure and navigated by a browser....not one index file with a series of links....

• Please remember...HAVE FUN! HTML is EASY to learn the basics of, and the stuff after that is simply building on the basics. Be patient, and enjoy yourself. If you create a virtual work of art, you will be amply rewarded!

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