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INTRODUCTION TO BASIC WEB DESIGN

I recently completed my very first web site and although creating the site was by no means an easy task, the numerous resources available on the web provides any beginner with step by step instructions and should answer most of the questions that may  arise. An attractive web page, as with most things, is in the eye of the beholder. The design is not only what you see, but also what you think and feel as you begin to navigate a web site. I am providing you with many links to various resources for exploring some of the basic principles of web site design and hands on training, which will guide you in building a basic web site. My general advice on web page design is to keep it simple until you are comfortable with creating a more complex page in the future. If you can't find answers to a question, use a search engine and type primer at the end of your text. 

WORKING WITH HTML 

Every HTML document must contain certain standard HTML tags. The required elements are the <html>, <head>, <title>, and <body> opening tags, and their corresponding closing tags such as </html>, </head>, </title> and </body>. Each document consists of head and body text. The head contains the title, and the body contains the actual text that is made up of paragraphs, lists, and other elements. Browsers expect specific information because they are programmed according to HTML standards. Follow the exercise in the next paragraph to create a basic HTML document and then view it in the Internet Explorer. 

From Win 95/98 desktop screen, click start F run F type notepad in the open box F press enter and begin by entering the sample below opening with <html> and closing with </html>. After you have entered the tags and text listed below, save the notepad document as html by clicking file F save as F enter index.htm as the filename F change the save as type box to all files F and click the save in box to desktop. Click save and minimize the notepad sample. Open the sample called index.htm by double-clicking. The sample will load in the Internet Explorer window and display the results of your html document. Congratulations, you have just created your first html web page. To enhance your html skills further, follow the html tutorial links and above all, have fun.

    <html>
      <head>
        <TITLE>My first Web Page</TITLE>
      </head>
           <body>
    <H1>HTML is Easy To Learn</H1>
    <P>Welcome to the world of HTML.
    This is the first paragraph. While short it is  
    still a paragraph!</P>
    <P>And this is the second paragraph.</P>
           </body>
    </html>
 	WORKING WITH FRONTPAGE
Microsoft FrontPage is a visual editor designed to allow the WYSIWYG creation of web pages and to help facilitate website management. The tutorials are designed to familiarize you with its strengths and provide you with ways to get around its weaknesses. The content of this introduction is help you learn the basics of FrontPage and as you increase your skills, you can channel through the links and customize them to meet your needs. For those of you who want to incorporate HTML and FrontPage together, practice with both by creating a web page and then view its contents. Learning the HTML language and FrontPage application is also crucial in today's growing economy. 
 
  ADDING GRAPHICS TO YOUR SITE
Eventually, most Web page creators will want to spruce up their work with graphics. I recommend that you keep graphics simple until you are ready to take on the world. As with HTML, FrontPage or any other web site builder, keep graphics to a minimum so you do not take away from the actual site.

Before you actually grab or create images, you'll need some background information on computer graphics and how to actually grab free graphics off the web. I have provided you with multiple links to simplify your job. Remember, Rome was not built in a day and getting a handle on graphics will take time and lots of practice. When you are comfortable with graphics design, start exploring the numerous software programs which will help you with formatting. These programs are available to you for free.

UPLOADING YOUR WEB SITE

After your masterpiece is created, you must upload the site so the public can view it. Remember, once the site is downloaded, the public has access to it. Do not put anything on your web site that is offensive to anyone. The links below will guide you through the process of uploading and will give you several free sites to upload to. If you have pictures and graphics that are extremely large, you may have to curtail them to fit on these free web sites. Most sites allow a free 20mb of space and if your site is over their allotment, you will have to alter your site to fit. 

Follow the links and tutorials for step by step instructions on how and where to go for uploading your site. Once the site is accepted, you can view it and tell all your friends and family that you are now web site savvy. Keep practicing and eventually, you will have enough experience to create a web site without tutorials. If you run into problems while uploading, pick a search engine and type in the proper phrase. Congratulations on creating your web site and I hope you enjoyed playing with HTML and FrontPage. Web design is an art and the really good ones go on to bigger and better things. If you are seeking a career in Web design, go to the top of the page and find the link to Punchard.com which is one of the best web sites for advanced learning and job hunting.

Please email me with any comments
(anwesley@yahoo.com)