If you’ve browsed the web at all recently, you’ve no doubt noticed that some Web pages look truly spectacular. To achieve these impressive effects, you might think you need to stretch a fancy word processing or page layout program to its limits. Or you might think you have to rush out and spend beaucoup bucks for some kind of highfalutin’ “HTML generator” that’s designed specifically for cranking out Web pages. Nah, you’re way off. All you really need for creating a basic page is a lowly text editor. Yes, even a brain-dead program like Notepad is more than adequate for doing the HTML thing. (Although, having said all that, there are HTML “editors” that can take some of the drudgery out of page production, and if you’re looking to gain mcse certification you’ll be as well to learn some of them – but more on that later).
Surely a plain old run-of-the-mill text editor won’t let me create anything resembling those beautiful pages I see on the Web.
Yes, it will – and stop calling me Shirley. The vast majority of all the Web pages in the world are really just simple text files.
So why in the name of Sam Hill do those pages look so good? Text files I’ve seen have been ugly with a capital Ugh! Shouldn’t I be looking for the latest mcse training programs for building web pages?
The Web’s beauty secret is that it’s actually the Web browsers that determine how a page looks. When you surf to a Web page, the browser reads the text, scours the file for HTML markings, and then displays the page accordingly. So, for example, you can mark inside your text file that you want a certain word to appear as bold. When the browser comes to that part of the document, it goes right ahead and formats the word in a bold font. The browser handles all this dirty work behind the scenes, and you never have to give it a second thought (or even a first thought, for that matter).
First, Crank Out a New Text File
So, to get to the point at long last, all you really need to do to get started is fire up your favorite text editor and launch a new document – if the program doesn’t do that for you automatically, as most do. (Of course, that isn’t to say there aren’t other, equally important, accouterments you may need. For me, a good, strong cup of coffee is a must. Other optional HTML accessories include the appropriate mood music – something by The Spinners, perhaps? – a copy of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, and semi-important things like your creativity and imagination.)
If you prefer, it’s okay to use a word processor such as Windows Write, the WordPad program that comes with Windows, or Microsoft Word. If you take this route, please keep the following caveats in mind:
Don’t try to format the document in any way (such as adding italics or centering paragraphs). Not only do you run the risk of having a browser choke on these extra formatting codes, but every Web browser on the face of the Earth will completely ignore your efforts. Remember, the only way to make a browser do your bidding and display your Web page properly is to use the appropriate HTML codes.
Don’t save the file in the word processor’s native format. Be sure to save the file as pure text, sometimes referred to as ASCII text.
Tags: beaucoup bucks, building web pages, html editors, impressive effects, page layout program