With thanks for 'Talk Aloud Protocol Analysis' to Gill, Nia & Fion

A WEB PAGE

is really just like any other document you can write or draw and show on a computer screen. What's special about it is that it's written in a sort of code called 'HyperText Markup Language' or HTML for short. HTML is a code which all 'Web Browsers' understand. A Web Browser is the software program you use to read pages on the Web. You must be using one now and it's likely to be either 'Internet Explorer' or 'Netscape' - though there are others. If you don't know which one you've got, go to the 'HELP' drop-down menu at the top of the screen and see what it says after 'About' at the bottom of the list. Anyway there are lots of ways to make a web page. None are very difficult, but some are definitely easier than others. Here's a quick run-through of some of the choices.....

THREE WAYS TO MAKE A WEB PAGE

Write it in HTML code.
To make the above heading appear in your web browser, I had to write
<H3>Write it in HTML code.<H3>
As you can see, the words are enclosed in pointy brackets containing 'H3' . These are called 'tags' and there are tags that tell the browser the size, shape, colour and position of every word you write on your page. These tags tell the browser to display the words between the tags in Heading-size 3. To see lots of tags, click on the word 'view' at the top of the screen, find the word 'source' and click on that. A window will open (not a real one, silly, so don't try sticking your head through it....) showing all the code I had to write to make this page. You can see other people's code too if you want to, just by going to their web-page and clicking on 'view' and 'source'. If you use Internet Explorer you could also copy the code and paste it into your own pages.
Writing your page this way will be more time-consuming than the other ways. If you do want to do it this way you will need to find some extra help on writing HTML, so follow one of the links here to other pages which tell you all you need to know. When you've done that come back here for help with design, layout and adding pictures. Web Monkey
HTML Goodies

Write it using special software
This sort of software is designed to help you, so you don't have to know the individual bits of code. Some of these programs are available free on the internet. If you'd like to download one of them, click on their names to follow the links to their web-sites and follow the instructions you find there. Don't forget to come back!
'Dreamweaver' (Try the trial version of Dreamweaver2).
'HotMetal Pro' (Try the evaluation version).
'Composer' which comes free with later versions of Netscape.
'FrontPage Express'Microsoft's version

Write it in Microsoft Word
This is by far the easiest way of making your first page, and although it might not have a full complement of bells and whistles, it's a good place to start. Don't worry, you'll still be able to put all your favourite pictures in!
So, if you're ready, click on the red link below to find out how to Design It!

Back to web..........Forward to design
Last Updated: May 19th, 1999