| Browsers |
There are many different browsers for the WWW. All browsers have one thing in common, they allow the user to navigate the web. The two big players in the browser game are Microsoft with their Internet Explorer and Netscape with their Netscape Navigator. Many people are not aware that other browsers are available like Opera. Opera is really a good choice for people that have older computers. It is fast and small. Some people still use a non graphic interface called Lynx to navigate the web.
The important thing to remember when designing pages is to view your page using at least Explorer and Navigator. They will handle many parts of HTML differently, especially Java.
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| What is HTML? |
HTML HyperText Markup Language is the basic language of the World Wide Web. We use it to tell the browsers what to display, and what actions to take when we click our mouse. HTML is probably the easiest of all languages to learn. Most of the vocabulary is made up of basic english words. The browser interprets the HTML code into what we want to show and have happen. The basis of HTML code is the TAG. A tag always starts with a < sign, and ends with a > sign. For example, to make text italicized the code would look like <I>Text to be italicized</I>. The / symbol tells the browser to end the direction. Most tags must be closed after they are open. Purists use text editors to write all of their code. Some use full featured editors like Microsoft Home Page, Netscape Communicator, Claris Home Page or Adobe's Pagemill to write all of their code. Some authors use editors that will automate some of the tasks for them, but will still allow the author ultimate control over what goes in his/her page. |
| Graphics |
Graphics of all kinds are used extensively on the Web. Pictures, bars, lines, buttons, backgrounds and most fancy fonts are examples of the kinds of graphics we will find. It is not uncommon to load a page that is made up of 100% graphics. The text is even saved in image format for various reasons. At the present time, graphics are saved in two different formats for use on the Web. GIF (graphical interface format) is usually used for line drawings and for transparent images. JPG or JPEG (joint photographers exchange group) is usually used for photographs. One of the keys to successful integration of images is the ability of the designer to keep them small. You may want to read more about image formats and image compression. We will use Adobe Photoshop to create and manipulate images. Additional add-on programs such as Eye Candy can be purchased that will enhance the effects of Photoshop and let the user be even more creative. There are many other programs that can be downloaded that will accomplish the same purposes. We will discuss many of these in class. |
| Tables |
Tables are used to create columns on web pages, and to format pages so that text and pictures can be spaced attractively. HTML really lacks formatting features, so tables were created to compensate. There are many examples of how tables are used. Each of the pages in this site use tables in one form or another, the lines are hidden from the user. To see this page with the table grids, click here. Another example is shown with Table Tags explained and the borders shown |
| Copyright |
Copyright law as it pertains to the web is full of grey areas. Many net surfers feel that if it is "on the web" it is there for their use regardless of the content. Some others believe that the copyright laws as written do not apply to the net at all, thus there is free reign in what one can and cannot do with the content found on the net. There is great debate on the "borrowing" or implying that intellectual information presented is yours. Is it legal? Is it moral? So far there are no definitive answers, even the courts cannot agree. Make sure you check out the resource page for links on copyright issues |
| Privacy |
Is it possible to be private on the net? Can you use the net without everyone knowing? Is your private information secure? Can hackers really get your credit card numbers? social security information? bank balances? phone numbers? addresses? All very legitimate questions, with some very scary answers. The question one has to ask, isn't all that information already available? |
| Educational Uses |
There are many uses for the Internet at all grade levels. Schools are connecting to the internet at a record pace. The use of web pages is becoming more prevelant every day. Web pages are used to disseminate information to the school community, they are used by teachers for lessons. Students are creating web pages as part of an alternate assesment process as well as using it as a source of information. We will examine all of these uses. The web is an exciting, creative place for teachers and students to be. |
| Web Design |
Web design at its best, or its worse! What makes an effective web site? What will draw the people in and keep them there. Some individuals think they have all the answers. Some individuals have won awards and "teach" web page design as a result of their pages. Major corporations are not immune from the offbeat design ideas of professional web page artists. Sometimes a site is great for the intended audience but may be obnoxious to others. What makes good web design? Make sure you check out the HTML Help Section on the resource page to see what the "experts" say. |
| Publicity |
After your page is complete and on the web, it is time to publicize your presence. This can be done in many ways. You can take the time to go around to the various search engines. Depending on the search engine you may or may not be listed. The second way is to use a URL submission service. Some of these cost money, so read the fine print. The other way is to make sure you include Meta tags in the HEAD part of your page, and let the spiders and robots find you and add your site to the engines. In any case, in order be listed by most of the search engines your site will be run through a validation service to make sure your code is compatible with all browsers |
