Introduction

The web is the most popular feature of the Internet and HTML is the backbone of the web. Everything that we see on the web is used with HTML. With out HTML, JavaScipt, CGI, PHP, all other fancy technologies would cease to function. Yet, HTML is so easy to learn and use.

Eventhough there are a million HTML editors out there, you still should learn HTML because it will pay off handsomely when you move on.

Before we begin, I just want to say that HTML is not difficult. If you do not know anything about computers besides how to get on and off the Internet, do not panic. I will guide you through each step in detail.

Let's begin

I am assuming at the beginning of this tutorial that you know nothing about HTML or have any computer knowledge. To continue with these Lessons, you will need...

1. A computer (doesn't have to be your own computer, you can use your campus' computer)

2. A browser like FireFox or Opera, If you're looking at this page, you obviously have one. It is always recommended to upgrade to the latest version of the browser. Why not? Its free anyway.

3. A word processor. If you have access to Window's "Notepad" or "WordPad" program, you can get started.

If you have those three things, you can write HTML with the best of them.

What is HTML?

HTML are initials that stand for HyperText Mark-up Language. Let me break it down for you:

• Hyper is the opposite of linear. It used to be that computer programs had to move in a linear fashion. HTML does not hold to that pattern and allows the person viewing the World Wide Web page to go anywhere, anytime they want.
• text needs no explanation
• Mark-up is what you will do. You will write in plain English and then mark-up what you wrote.
• Language is simple enough too.

The Word Processor

When writing HTML code, you should choose an editor which has very few or no fonts. These fonts could interfere with your code. If you have windows 95/98/NT, click on start -- programs -- accessories --  notepad. Then just begin writing the code. When you write to the word processor you will need to follow a few steps:

1. Type the HTML code.

2. When you go to save the document , ALWAYS choose SAVE AS.

3. When the SAVE AS box pops up, you will need to save the page in a specific format. Look at the SAVE AS dialogue box when it pops up, there will be somewhere, usually at the bottom, where you will be able to change the file format.

4. Save your file with a ".html" extension.

You see, when you save your document in WORD, or some other word processor format, other than text, you are saving much more than just the letters on the page. You're saving the margin settings, the tab settings, specific fonts, and a whole lot of other setting the page needs to be displayed correctly. You don't want all of that. You just want the text.

NotePad, WordPad, and SimpleText already save in text-only format so if you use one of them as your word processor, you'll get the correct format simply by saving your document.

Opening the Document in the Browser

Once you have your HTML document on your flash stick or hard drive, you'll need to open it up in the browser. It's easy enough. Since you're using a browser to look at this lesson, follow along.

1. Under the FILE Menu at the very top left of this screen, you'll find OPEN, or OPEN FILE, OPEN DOCUMENT or words to that effect.

2. Click on it. Some browsers give you the dialogue box that allows you to find your document right away. Internet Explorer, and later versions of Netscape Navigator, require you to click on a BROWSE button or OPEN FILE button to get the dialogue box. When the dialogue box opens up, switch to the A:\ drive and open your document. If you saved the file to your hard drive, get it from there.

3. You might have to then click an OK button. The browser will do the rest.