HTML Basics

Introduction

.,There are all kinds of Web page design software programs out there that can be purchased, some relatively cheap and some quite expensive; some programs are packaged with others--Microsoft FrontPage being the most popular (as attested to by the fact that nearly all Web hosts now offer "Microsoft FrontPage extensions" as part of their Web hosting packages), which comes with Microsoft Office (could it be it's popular because it comes with MS Office, and no other reason?).

So why learn html?

For one thing, some possible employers--once you learn html and a bit of basic scripting, and design a couple of Web sites for one or two others, you can consider yourself ready to do some independent contracting for small businesses (unfortunately, larger companies will want to see some IT credentials)--just might not want their pages designed with FrontPage. A man I know who said he might want me to do some Web design in the future was thrilled when I told him I only use raw html. "Good," he said, "because based on experience FrontPage just doesn't cut it."

The fact is, Web design programs such as FrontPage, FileMaker Pro (a Macintosh program that I used to use under its predecessor name, Claris HomePage), BBEdit and others (these others, however, always seemed to be way too expensive for me to want to buy!) don't often look the same in different browsers. Ever notice on some Web sites the notations like "Optimized for Netscape 6.0" or "Best viewed with Internet Explorer 5.0"? Ever try going to a FrontPage site on a PC using UNIX or LINUX, neither of which support graphics very well? (Hey I'm not picking on Bill Gates here, okay?). The other fact I'm trying to get across is that when you use raw html code, your page will look the same no matter what browser you "viewed" your page in. Further, html is easier to edit.

Finally, it doesn't matter what operating system you use. I learned html on a Mac using "simple text"; I now use a PC with notepad--in fact, since both "simple text" and "notepad" use ASCII, your page will look the same no matter what system you have. You can easily transfer (or download) html files from Mac to PC and vice versa, and the same goes for UNIX, LINUX or any other system.

Maybe the problem was that since I already know some raw html it was harder for me to adapt to something else. On the other hand, if you don't know any html code, how are you going to find "where you are" on the Web page to understand what needs editing?

Which brings up the main reason one needs to know html--even if you are using a Web page design program, you need to know html in order to understand what is on your Web page, to "know" your page and what you have to do to edit it, be "one" with your page!

As you go through this course you will be using it to design your own page. I will show you how you can use a free Web host (such as fortunecity.com or geocities.com for personal sites, and hypermart.net if your site is business related) on which to do your "lab" web page so you can see for yourself the benefits of knowing html, even if you will be using a Web design program.

NOTE: Have some idea what you want to put on your Web page before you sign up for this course, as you will be using the course to design your pages/site. Also note that this course will be available one week beyond the end of the two-week course length to review material and make posts.

I recommend this course for those of you who are still too intimidated by the term HTML to venture out on your own as I did.
Traute Klein, biogardener