Website Basics - Part Two
COPING WITH HTML
©2005 by eibhlin morey macintosh
HOW TO LEARN HTML - AND WHETHER TO BOTHER
I've had websites since 1995, but I remember how
overwhelming it seemed at first.
When you're starting out, there is no need to learn HTML.
You can use a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) program
such as the free program, Netscape Composer. Just
download Netscape and install it. (You
don't have to use Netscape as your browser; you can leave it inactive. That's what I do.)
Then, on your computer, click on Start-->Programs, and find Netscape;
in that folder, click on Composer. It's pretty easy. The code isn't as clean as I'd like, but the whole idea
is to get online ASAP. You can learn HTML later.
(Mozilla users already have Composer with their
browsers. Mozilla is the company that develops Netscape's programs.)
There are many resources for learning HTML when you're ready. One is the website,
HTML Goodies,
but there are many others. Use Google to find them.
If--like me--you prefer to have a printed guide in one hand while you're learning something like HTML,
I like the HTML for Dummies
books.
Later, when you are learning HTML, the free HTML editing program,
1st
Page 2000 is good. It has Beginner through Expert levels,
which can help when you're learning. This program saves time if you write
your own HTML; I've used it to write almost every webpage at every website that I
maintain.
However, by that time you may be accustomed to your WYSIWYG program... why change?
But, at the high end, there is Dreamweaver, which many webmasters swear by. It automates many tasks and can
save you hours weekly, once you learn to use the program.
WEBSITE DESIGN
I like clean, easy-to-navigate websites. Most people do.
For website design, you'll find helpful tips at websites such as
Strum's 'Webbery & Nettery'
and
Art and the Zen of Websites.
I also love the free, navigational flow chart featured at
PrecisionArts.com
In addition, I recommend a book about website design such as
Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
by Steve Krug.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eibhlin Morey MacIntosh is a published author, writing travel and how-to books and articles. For more FREE
tips like this, see http://www.eibhlin.com/
NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online, at no charge, as long as it remains complete
and unaltered (including the 'about the author' info at the end), and you send the
reprint URL to reprints@eibhlin.com
