I created this page on a whim about 4 years ago to help people just like me. The quantity of visitors to this web page has been beyond my expectations. If you have any suggestions to help me improve this webpage or any questions you'd like answered, please email me
Many people have asked me "How do you know how to do this?" or "Can you build a webpage for me?". I taught myself how to do it. It is really quite simple and I will provide you with some helpful information to get started.
First, you have to have a place on the internet to keep your webpage called a web host. YAHOO! provides a free web hosting service and domain name (personal internet address) at http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/learn2/HowItWorks4_Free.html.
Starting with 15 megabytes of free space, some really good webpage templates and help files begin building your first webpage. You will be asked to create a userid (a name to identify you) and password (for security so nobody can access your website file manager). If you all ready use YAHOO! for other services the same userid and password will work.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the program code or language used to write webpages. There are many sites on the internet that will help you learn HTML. If you go to Google and type HTML tutor in the search window it will give you many choices to choose from.
My favorite is:
- Lissa explains it all It's a great website that gives step by step instructions to beginners and kids on how to start your own webpage.
I bought a book at Barnes and Noble that teaches basic HTML and Javascript language. It makes a good reference book to answer all your questions. Go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com and search for "HTML 4 for the World Wide Web by Elizabeth Castro", if you would like to purchase the book.
If you'd like to view the HTML code for this page, On your browser click on "View" then, "Source" or "Page Source". A window should open with the HTML code for this page. Don't be intimidated! I've been doing this for awhile. This is basic HTML & CSS (Cascading Style Sheet).
Just remember! Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be afraid to try things. It may not work the first time, try it again.
Webpages can be created on your own computer without being connected to the internet, then upload them later. A webpage can be built using any text editor like Microsoft Word, Wordpad, Notepad, or Wordperfect. Some text editors have a "Save as HTML" button on their menu.
I created my first webpage using Netscape Composer. If you have Netscape Communicator on your computer, then Composer
is part of it. The advantage to using Netscape Composer, it is fairly easy to use.
The disadvantages are: The html code is complicated to read and understand if you try to make changes later and
some times the pages don't look right in Microsoft Explorer.
If you use Microsoft FrontPage you will have the same problems. Netscape and Microsoft make every effort NOT to
be compatible.
I first used a program called "Arachnophilia" that you can download from the internet for free at
http://www.arachnoid.com
to write my webpages and check for mistakes.
If you go to their site, at the pull down menu at the top of the page, click on "Arachnophilia". Then, at the pull down menu at the top of that page
click on "
Arachnophilia 4.0
". Scroll down to the download button and click on it.
Version 5 is the most current, but I wouldn't use this until your a seasoned webpage builder. It uses a Java engine
and I don't think it is as user friendly as the previous version.
Currently, I have been using a free program called HTML Kit for creating all my pages. It has a tool that checks your code to see if it conforms to W3C the World Web standards.
Once you have a grasp on building a webpage and have decided to have your own ad-free web presence check out this site, this is where my website is hosted. Transfer or obtain a domain name and set up webspace for a very reasonable price. I am very happy with their services.
Okay! Have you started your first page? Now you want
to make it fancier or add pages, photos, links to your favorite sites.
Everyone wants graphics, animated pictures, and colorful backgrounds. These are great, but the more of
these you have, the more time it takes for people to view your webpage.
Most computers come with a photo editor like Micrsoft Photo Editor, Dell Image Editor
or PrintShop Pro. I created the animated GIF file of myself using Printshop Pro. It is actually several
pictures and works like a cartoon.
Most of us own scanners or digital cameras now. When you scan or save an image for your webpage set dpi to 72, then save the image as a .jpg file or .gif file. (Photos save as .jpg) If you reduce the size and quality of the picture it will take less time to view. I usually save a high quality image on my computer, then make a lower quality one for my webpage. If I decide that I reduced the quality or size too much I can make another one from the high quality picture.
There are many free animated gifs and backgrounds on the internet that you can use on your webpages. Just go to a search engine and type what your looking for (example: animated bugs bunny gif), a list of sites will come up that have bugs bunny. Be sure to read and make sure that it is okay to copy their file, next right click on image and save it to your computer. Follow your HTML instructions for placing images on your page.
Here are some of my favorite sites:
- Animation Factory is a great website to get free animated pictures for your web pages. Be sure to read their requirements before copying their pictures!
-
Dynamic Drive
is a great place to get fancy scripts that you can cut
and paste into your webpages. Just be careful, some scripts only work with certain web browsers.
Done reading? Take a tour of my webpage now at http://www.vtrushfan.com