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DEVELOPMENT AIDS |
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There are several aspects to developing a Web site.
One, of course, is actually creating the basic HTML pages that will make
up the content for the site.
These pages can be created several ways.
Since HTML files are simply ASCII text files, they can be created in any
text editor, such as Windows Notepad.
This, however, requires a fairly good understanding of the HTML language
used to create Web pages.
There are a number of sites on the Web where you can begin your
exploration of the HTML language; these include tutorials on HTML and on
Web page creation.
One of the best places to start is
OneWorld,
which maintains an extensive list of topics related to the HTML
language.
You might also try
Learning HTML, a site designed by the Blacksburg Electronic Village.
A similar site that will help you with the HTML language focuses on "HTML
Plus", or the new HTML standard.
Introduction To HTML 3.2 will keep you abreast of all of the new
features, tags, and extensions to the HTML language.
(Be sure you have an enhanced browser, such as Internet Explorer 3.0 or
Netscape 3.0 before you visit this site!)
Alternately, you may wish to visit the Web site of the World Wide Web
Consortium to view the complete
HTML 3.2 Reference
Specification.
You'll also find plenty of cross-references at
The HTML Reference
Library. This site bills itself as "the ideal companion for anybody
involved in HTML development".
Another site with loads of helpful hints and tutorials is the
Web Basics.
Here you'll find more of what you need to get you started developing
your Web site.
And if you've already been surfing the Web for design ideas, you've
probably had occasion to ask yourself
"How do
they do that with HTML?".
See one user's response to some of the most commonly-asked questions
about HTML.
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ADVANCED HTML TOPICS |
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 For information
on using frames in your Web design, see
The Netscape
Frames Tutorial.
If you need assistance with
image maps, or aren't even sure of the difference between
client-side and server-side image maps, check out
LiveImage Client Side Image
Mapping,
a program that helps you design graphics with "hot
spots" that direct your readers to important areas of your Web
site.
The more pages
you develop, and the more links you include (especially to pages
that are not your own), the greater the potential for a "broken
link" -- that is, a link to a URL
that no longer exists.
InfoLink will take your
Web URL and verify your links, reporting on any that are no
longer valid. |
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If you're looking for
additional tools to assist you in the creation of your Web pages,
there are countless applications -- both shareware and commercial --
which can be used to help you in creating these files. They
typically provide a user interface that "shields" you from much of
the "techno-jargon" of the HTML language, and allows you to create
Web pages much as you would create documents in an electronic word
processor.
Some of the more popular applications include:
There are also loads of great add-ons for
helping you develop attractive and functional Web pages. One of the
leaders in this area, Macromedia
provides a number of commercial applications, such as Director,
ShockWave, Applet Ace, Cold Fusion, and Dream Weaver. These
applications make it a cinch to create dynamic Web pages with
animated graphics, interactive pages, Java scripts, Dynamic HTML,
and more. You can download demo and evaluation copies of their
software from their Web site.
A further list of
Web
development tools can be found at PC Computing's Web site. Also,
check out Ziff-Davis' list of the
Top Web Tools, as reviewed by a number of their publications.
Another great site with tons of information about developing your
Web pages is The Web Developer's
Virtual Library. |
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Once you've gotten started
with your Web site development, the next stage is to find additional
tools, graphics, and other add-ons that will enhance your Web site,
or simply make it more attractive to users visiting your site.
Undoubtedly the best place to start is at Microsoft's own
Web Gallery, where
you'll find graphics and images to download, Java scripts and
ActiveX controls that perform common functions, fonts and sound
files, and many other related tools.
Mac users will especially like
Macintosh World Wide Web Frequently Asked Questions, where
you'll find links to tons of helpful applications for Mac Web
developers.
There are many other sites on the Web that can serve as a source for
similar files, and they are far too numerous to mention here.
However, just as an example of a site that contains loads of
animated .GIF files, take a look at
http://www.vuurwerk.nl/levon/animated.html, a site in the
Netherlands maintained by "The Dutchman".
Perhaps you're developing your own graphics, but don't have the graphic
applications necessary to "muck with" your images. Never fear; there
are loads of places on the Web where you can either work with your
graphics dynamically, or download applications that will. Some of
these applications are demo versions of commercial products, but
they're still a good place to start.
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Background music can be a positive
addition to your Web pages. Wave files are fairly large in size, but
MIDI files serve nicely for instrumental sounds. Some great places
to start looking for appropriate MIDI files are:
And if you are looking for tools to assist you in
adding sound to your Web pages, you'll want to visit the Ziff-Davis
Anchordesk and read about
"Web
Page Tools to Make Your Site Sing". |
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Of course, getting your Web
site online is only the beginning. One of the other pieces of
information that is critical to the process is the gathering of
statistics regarding what's going on behind the scenes of your Web
site, such as how (and how often) your site is being accessed. There
are a number of software applications that are available for this
purpose. Examples include:
And if you're looking for ways to advertise
your business, why not look
Beyond The Banner Ad Technology for creative ways of doing
online advertising. |
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How to list your site with a Search Engine:
http://searchenginewatch.com/
Agood place to look for Webpage Design tips:
http://www.desktoppublishing.com/ |
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NOTE:
The above merely provides a starting point in
the process of developing, maintaining, and enhancing your own Web site.
As you go through the process, you will undoubtedly encounter many other
sites (and tools) which help you in your particular situation. Remember
to "bookmark" them so that you can return to those sites when you need
further assistance. And if you find other sites that you feel would be
of interest to other Bledsoe Telephone users, feel free to forward the
information to
webmaster@InfoAve.Net. |
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Please send any comments, revisions or
requests to,
bledsoe@bledsoe.net |
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Copyright © 2003
[BTC - Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative]. All rights reserved
designed by,
Kneelindesign |
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