HTML
Definition:
HyperText Markup Language.
The code used in website creation. Browsers such as IE
and Netscape read HTML and compile it into viewable, formatted
pages.
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HTML
EDITORS
Definition:
A program to create web pages. Editors can have a WYSIWYG
interface, masking codes for a word-processing feel, or
let you work solely on the code itself.
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WYSIWYG
Definition:
Acronym for "What You See Is
What You Get." Indicates programs
that allow users to view and edit a project's layout directly
(as opposed to working with code or commands). Can
be used to refer to word processors, presentation designers,
webpage editors, databases, etc.
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Your
First Web Page:
A General Overview of How to Begin
by
Valerie Elchuk
(Click
above to read Val's bio)
This
brief lesson will give you a guide to creating a website, even if
you have no knowledge of HTML. First, I recommend using a simple
WYSIWYG HTML editor (see definitions, left). Both Internet
Explorer and Netscape (you'll want to download the most recent versions
of both), come packaged with editors.
IE downloads with a program called FrontPage and Netscape has an
editor integrated into it. In Netscape (version 4 and above), go
to Communicator - Page Composer. If you've downloaded and installed
the full version of Internet Explorer, you should be able to find
FrontPage by going to Start - Programs - Internet Explorer.
Once
you've found the editor, take some time to learn the program. Usually,
most of the functions (copy, cut, paste, font choices, etc.) work
very similarly to a word processor.
Don't
worry about colors just yet. You'll need to learn the basic functions
of design before you decide what you want your site to look like.
Look at other series to see what they've done, but remember -- there
is a fine line between emulating and imitating. Nobody likes a design
thief!
While
you're learning the functions of your HTML editor, be sure to practice
using links and graphics. You'll want to put all your files in the
same directory. This way, when you're ready to type in the link
address or graphic source, you only have to type "file.htm" rather
than "http://www.whatever.com/directory/subdir/file.htm."
(Note:
this is only if you want a file within your site. If you're linking
to someone else's website, you have to type in the whole thing.)
Also, make very sure the link does not point to your hard drive
-- you can recognize this error if your link starts with either
"C:\" or "file:\\\C." Once it's uploaded you'd
be the only person able to see the file.
In
your test document, put some text in the body of the document--it
doesn't matter what just now, but type several paragraphs. Learn
how to make a few things bold and italics. Save the document.
Now
you'll want to look at the code that's behind your document -- known
as source code. To me, the best way to do this is to open
the file in your browser. In Internet Explorer, hit CTRL-O, then
browse for your file. Once it's open, go to View - Source. The HTML
code looks complicated to someone just learning, but it's really
rather simple. You should notice a few things:
<p>blah</p>
surrounds your paragraphs
<b>blah</b> surrounds things that are bold
<i>blah</i> surrounds things that are italics
These
should be easy enough to remember, and they are three of the most
important codes. When you write your episodes and character profiles,
you'll probably want to write them in a word processor so you can
edit them more easily. You can pre-format them for HTML as you do
using those simple codes.
Now,
copy the entire HTML code into a word processor document. Save the
file as a text document, but remember to type in a .htm or .html
file extension. If you don't, it won't work. Also, use only
one word in your file name. (If you use Word, I do not recommend
using the HTML editor that comes with it.) Once you've saved the
files here, you don't need FrontPage again until you're ready to
fully design the site, so you can close it.
Delete
the body text you typed in before, including any HTML code that
was in it, but only the body text. Type in some new stuff using
the HTML codes you've just learned. If you want to get tricky you
can view the source codes of other sites on the internet to see
how they've done things.
Try
making some links and graphics by just typing the code. You can
look at another site to see how it's done if you don't remember
from the links and graphics you made. When you've got some new text
in, go to File - Save As and save it as you did before (don't go
to File - Save or you will overwrite your first file).
Then,
view this new file in your browser as you did before. Does it look
the same as the first, only with new text? If it looks exactly the
same, you've done it right. Play with this for a while. You can
learn a lot of HTML by looking at other source codes. Try to stick
with simple sites at first. Many HTML editors put in a lot of unnecessary
code and spacing that will just confuse the beginning designer.
For example, some HTML editors like to add tabs to distinguish different
cells in tables--these aren't necessary.
Although
this essay mostly deals with WYSIWYG editors that hide the code
from you, I definitely recommend that you try to learn the basic
HTML commands. Some people say that learning HTML is obsolete, but
it will make your life easier in the long run and make you a better
designer.
It's
very easy to rely on HTML editors, but you can't use them effectively
unless you understand what they're doing--especially since most
editors can't do everything HTML can. Many web service providers
like Geocities offer their own drag-and-drop editors--do not
use these! They produce pages that are rudimentary at best,
and ugly and filled with errors at worst.
In
further essays, we'll discuss coming up with a good design for your
series; we'll also discuss how to find web space and put your files
on it. There are some things to consider, and it's important not
to rush into it. You'll be excited about your new series and wanting
to show everyone, but you shouldn't show the world until you're
ready to debut with a fully functional site. You've worked hard
on the project--you want to leave a good first impression. Good
luck!
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About Valerie Elchuk:
Valerie Elchuk writes
and produces the online series Victoria's
Legacy and Liberty
Creek. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and studies
English and Professional Writing full-time at the University
of Victoria. In addition, Valerie works with Third Space,
a UVic feminist publication, and is increasingly involved in campus
activism. She is spending the summer working as a reporter on her
home town newspaper, the Record, and enjoying her first apartment.
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