Some Web Basics

     This tutorial is not going to go into the functions of HTML, JavaScript, or any other coding languages. That could cause this short explanation to become a small book. So, for our purposes I'm just going to cover the basics of setting up a web site. At the end of this tutorial you will find some great links to tutorials that cover HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and so on.
    First let me start by telling you that there are some really great HTML editors out there today. You don't need to know much about writing code or building a web page to use most of these editors. The one I recommend the most is called 1st Page. Its a free HTML editor put out by a company called Evrsoft. I think they have a great product that is easy to use and can teach you a lot. So far, I have not encountered any major bugs to the program, and I definitely recommend it over Microsoft's Front Page.
    Evrsoft's 1st Page has a neat little "gadget" recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) called "HTML Tidy". What this does is "TIDY" up your HTML code. (Basically, help you to find your "mistakes" and correct them.) It also helps to see that you have your code in the "grammatically" correct order. (Are your 'font' tags where they should be in relation to your 'p' tags?)Although "HTML TIDY" does have its limitations, it can be a very useful tool for anyone writing or editing a web page, be they novice or expert.
With that said we can move on to our Web Design Basics.

Some important aspects to designing a viable website.

• A website must be both practical and appealing.
• A website must be informative and functional.
• It must contain all the necessary information the user needs to know presented in a way that is easy and simple to find.
• Links within the site are essential. But links to other sites or information not part of the particular site can be useful and evoke a positive impression from the site's visitors.

Graphics:

    Graphics are helpful and eye catching. But beware: the more complex the graphics, the longer they take to load. Older and slower computers may not even be able to handle some graphics. Certain browsers (such as "Lynx") are text only and do not load graphics at all. You should use only those graphics that are necessary for you to convey your information, image, or impression. Each graphic should contain a special coding called an "alternate description." This not only tells users what the graphic is when they move the mouse over it or while it is loading, but it enables users with text only browsers to access the links on your website.
    All businesses can benefit from the prudent use of graphics and other visual displays on their websites. But the importance and abundance of graphics is in part dependent upon the type of organization or business you are. Financial organizations may find charts helpful as visual aids to their users, but will also have a great deal of textual documentation. Resorts and hotel chains rely heavily upon pictorial presentations of their services. But other companies (such as on line teaching organizations) may need to use graphics only sparing to communicate their information.
    Remember: graphics should add to your website and help convey your message, image, or information. If they take the user away from the reason he or she came to your website or frustrate him or her into abandoning your website, they can be detrimental.

Text:

Proofread your website's textual information. So many websites - yes, professional websites - are marred by spelling and grammatical errors which often questions the credibility of the rest of the site's information in the minds of users.

Helpful Sites:

There are some very helpful Programming Tutorials available for those interested in investing the time and energy into developing their own websites. Here are some I recommend:

• World Wide Web Consortium
      Tutorials on HTML, JavaScript, and other web fundamentals.
• JavaScript Mall
      Tutorial on JavaScript: this site also offers free scripts in a "cut and paste" format.
• Dynamic Drive
      Also offers JavaScript and HTML tutorials along with free Java scripts.
• JavaScript Source
      Lots of free JavaScripts in a "cut and paste" format; it really saves on typing.