Constructing your own website is easier than you probably imagined, and thus accounting for the multitude of websites available, all tastes aside. Since almost all computer users today are running a version of Windows 95 or later, the process is even easier. (if of you course, you are in the 6% minority of Apple users, try and follow along as best you, though this article may be less useful to you.)
Windows has made the available all the tools you really need for constructing your own website. The least complex method is using Microsoft word. That’s right, the very word processing software you have on your computer right now will be enough to publish a website. The results of your experiment will not be beautiful, but it can be done. Simply create a document, formatting as you wish, and save the file as an HTML document. This is an option in the "Save As" menu.
Using Microsoft Word to create a webpage is easy. Creating an entire website, less easy, but still not brain surgery. However, this method will not yield spectacular results. Anyone other than a liberal arts professor hoping to put his syllabus online should read further.
Microsoft Word has the advantage of simplicity for the user. However, attempting to create a complex website will ultimately frustrate its creator. For greater control and creative flexibility, ultimately, a website publisher will need to learn HTML.
The term "program" HTML is rarely used. HTML is not a computer language like C. Programs are not the end result. Instead, HTML is a set of protocols that internet Explorer and Netscape recognize, and in turn, display the information in a particular way.
The first step in writing an HTML document is opening up Notepad provided with Windows. Notepad can be found in the Accessories folder of the Programs directory in under the Start tab. To create your very first HTML file by scratch, type some words into Notepad and save the file as filename.html . You have now successfully created an HTML document, and using internet explorer, can actually view the file as you would a webpage. I know, this is amazing.
Your first HTML file is very plain since you have not formatted it. However, once you have learned the commands in HTML, you can format the page however you want. Nearly all HTML tags work in the same way: one command sets a value, and a corresponding command closes the value. This structure is extremely simplistic allowing for first time users to pick up HTML in a matter of minutes.
Since this primer is more concerned with the process of creating a website rather than actually sitting down and writing it, I have excluded an extensive HTML course. This is also partially because I am assuming many visitors actually know how to write HTML documents. I have provided an HTML Cheat Sheet, and if this is not helpful enough, visit these selections for more information:
As you begin to learn these basic HTML commands, please remember that just because you can do something, does not mean you should do something: frames, scrolling or flashing text, and background music should never be part of your website. Ever.
ianmacallen.com | Annex | Archive
All content Copyright 2006 Ian MacAllen Unless otherwise Atrributed.
Contact:
ianmac47@hotmail.com