Web Craft 101

Webtools To Create Your Homepage

INDEX
[A Little Hint] [Storage Space] [Basic HTML] [HTML Editors] [Advanced HTML] [Color] [Graphics]
[GIF Animation] [Image Maps] [Counters] [Validation]
[Other Web Authors' Pages] [Misc.]

So, You want to be a Webmaster!

Would you like to create a homepage for your club or your dog? You can do it! Here's a list of tools that I used to create All About Dogs! web site. I literally knew nothing when I began in November '95. I continue to learn, sometimes by trial and error, but the page is up and I'm receiving some good feedback on it. So, If I can do it, you can too!

The KISS rule applies here. You know the one...Keep it simple...Yes, I thought you did! Start with a simple page and build on it. Here's an example of a page, that is effective, maintainable, informative and valid. Writing valid HTML is important so that people can read your information, use your links, and see your images. Below is a list of documents, tools, and other lists of links on the subject of Web Authoring. As I find new information on this subject this list will inevitably grow, as do most lists on the web.
Happy HTML!

Check out the classes at
Smart Planet !

Smart Planet offers dozens of online classes in today's hottest computer topics. Take classes anytime, at your convenience, and learn to:

Build and design a web site.
Program using the latest computer languages.
Design graphics using Paint Shop Pro--now with layers and vector capability!
Beef up your skills in MS Office and other applications.

And much more!

A Little Hint!

Before you get started, I want to make you aware of one of the best sources for learning HTML, the web pages themselves. When you see a page you like, click on "VIEW" (Mac & PC) and then click on "SOURCE" (PC only) and you will see the "HTML SOURCE CODE for that page. Study it, look at the page and see if you can figure out what markup tags created the effect you liked. This is how to find neat little tricks that you can, then, apply to your own pages. Keep this trick in mind while you're surfing.

Resources To Create Your Club's Homepage!

STORAGE SPACE

The List
First you need a place (or a server) to store and serve up your homepage to the world. This is the definitive list of Internet Service Providers with almost 2000 listings. Many offer various amounts of space to store your files in addtion to unlimited or reasonably priced connection time. Check to see if there is one in your area that suits your needs.
GeoCities...Free space for your homepage!
If you're just getting started check this out! Free Space...can't beat that deal.

BASIC HTML: HOW TO GET STARTED WRITING HTML

So, you want to Make A Webpage!...BEST BASIC TUTORIAL I've seen yet!
Have a webpage up and running in less than an hour....Don't miss the Web Page Resource Page and tutorials on Frames, Tables and Forms listed on this page. Excellent Resource...lots of free information, graphics and tutorials...Don't miss this one!
The HTML Writers Guild
Excellent online resource for info on HTML!!!
Dedicated to teaching people how to write GOOD Pages! Mentor program, email lists and tutorials. For beginners and advanced web authors. See the icon on the bottom of this page!
Web Worker's Toolbox...Don't Miss This Site!
From Basic Computing, creating and managing files to information on powerful programs like Photoshop...this site has MUCH to offer!
An Interactive Introduction To HTML & CGI Scripts On The WWW...Excellent site!
From Basic HTML to CGI Scripts!...You can interact and see what the tags do immediately!
A Beginners Guide To HTML
Basic HTML...A good primer.
Bare Bones Guide to HTML
Excellent reference to print out and keep at hand while you're creating your pages...Lots of other HTML information on this site. A MUST SEE!
Compendium of HTML Elements
An extremely useful reference on each HTML tag!

HTML EDITORS

Homesite...Excellent HTML editor
Only available for Windows 95 platform, unfortunately...This editor is excellent! This is *THE* HTML Editor Of All Time!
Web Worker's Toolbox contains a very useful "Guide To Homesite"...Must See!
An extremely useful reference to using the Homesite HTML Editor. This reference will give you all the shortcuts as well as the basic scoop on how to use this very powerful editor! Also available...a link to download this reference for offline viewing.
The Hot Dog Web Editor
Easy to use with lots of bells and whistles. This is the HTML Editor that I started with.
HTML Editors
Listing of HTML Editors for Windows with good descriptions of each. This list also has a link to a very comprehensive list of editors for other platforms.

A LITTLE MORE ADVANCED HTML...BUT NOT MUCH!

HTML Goodies...Great page for web builders!
How to add color, create backgrounds, wallpaper, forms, tables and other fancy stuff. Easy to understand and entertaining tutorials! Six New Tutorials are up: Meta Commands, A Javascript Clock, Searchable Databases, Java Applets, Sounds and Embedding Sounds, Java vs. Javascript!
Web Wonk...Net Tips For Writers & Designers
A must visit site for information on layout of web pages. Great Information and Tips!
How Do They Do That With HTML
Tips on how to add some fun to your pages and where to get information.

ADD SOME COLOR TO YOUR PAGES!

The Browser Safe Color Palette...216 Color Palette!
The actual palette that Mosaic, Netscape and Internet Explorer use within their browsers. Very useful in picking colors that work in all browsers!
RGB Hex Triplet Color Chart...RGB codes for 256 colors!
If you really need a chart here's an easy to use chart with 256 color codes to use in your background, text and links.

GRAPHICS:
Fonts, Textures, Backgrounds, Icons, Buttons, Bars, Lines & Graphics Programs.

Microsoft Typography Homepage
Free fonts for Windows & Mac's and info on using them.
Realm Graphics
Lines, icons, buttons and more! Most are public domain (not copyrighted).
Paint Shop Pro 6
Create your own graphics on your computer...reasonably priced....easy to use...there's lots you can do with this program. Now with layer capability!!!! This program truly rivals the industry standard, Photoshop, and exceeds it in user friendliness and creating graphics for the web.
Check out Smart Planet for the very popular online class, Create Web Graphics With Paint Shop Pro. You can't beat it!
JASC Design Studio... From the makers of Paint Shop Pro
Lots of tips, tutorials and links to other PSP resources! A MUST SEE!
Lori's Web Graphics..Excellent Paint Shop Pro Resource!.
Jeff's Home Page...Another excellent Paint Shop Pro Resource!

GIF ANIMATION

Animated Pages!...MicroMovieMiniMultiplex
Free animated GIF's and helpful hints on how to make your own!
GIF Construction Set For Windows...by Alchemy Mindworks. Great shareware program for making your own animated GIF's...easy to use and inexpensive!

IMAGEMAPS

Imagemap Help Page
Helpful info on creating client and server side imagemaps.
MapEdit
Shareware Imagemap Program for Windows. Free License for Non-Profit Groups! Very easy to use...I like the simplicity of this program.

COUNT THOSE HITS & SIGN IN PLEASE!...Counters

Web Counter Home Page
Free page counters that work.

Here's one of their counters:

The Webtools page has had visitors since April 5, 1996.

THE VALIDATION & REVIEW EXPERIENCE!

W3C Validation Service...Get CHECKED out for FREE!
Before or after publishing, check your HTML source code for errors. A MUST for anyone who wants to write good pages! See the Check icon on the bottom of this page!

OTHER GREAT WEB AUTHOR PAGES!

Mary Jo's Web Author's Page at the Dogpatch.
Dedicated to quality links and a good example of well written HTML. This is an excellent list of resources: Server space for pages, Editors, Tools, Style, and much more! While you're there check out the rest of her site, especially if you're a dog person...It's excellent! Must See!

MISCELLANEOUS

The Copyright Website
Good info on the copyright laws!
PromoteOne
Even though this is a commercial website selling a book, there is lots of good information on how to promote your website effectively. Look under "Tips & Tricks" and "Resources" for lots of good stuff.
Rank This!
Find out where your webpage ranks in the 10 major search engines as well as help to get your site ranked near the top! Neat Free Service!

Last updated 28 June 2000