This
is a general overview to help you get your head around the
concept of producing a web page. Don't expect this page to
do more than that, but read it before getting stuck into the
juicy, luscious lessons in the Cadet
Lounge.
Retro
City began it's journey into deep space 1 or 2 days after ReTroGrrl
read a book from the library (who said the medium of print is
dead?). ReTroGrrl knew nothing about HTML and the mysteries
beyond prior to this, (which means, if she can do it anyone
can do it). So - how do YOU create your own homepage? Easy.
But first, you're gonna need a few things ....
There you go - take it away... but 'Wait!', we hear
you say, 'That's all very well, but where do we get these things
and how do we go about putting it all together?' Okay, okay
- so ReTroGrrl won't leave you on the HTML highway just yet,
but remember she's still learning all this too. Treat this as
a basic guide only - head on over to the Space
Cadet Lounge for more, and go get your own book!
holy.html.batman
HTML is, in simple terms, a text editing language
using tags - between these two symbols < >. For instance,
if you want to create bold text, then you first need to start
with the 'turn bold on' command <b> and end with the 'turn
bold off' command </b> - See? However, you just can't
use any old word processing program - unless you have the latest
and greatest which will allow files to be saved in HTML format.
It isn't difficult, it's more a question of commonsense
- what you turn on you need to turn off.
Oh, and by the way, you can always view other people's HTML
to see just how they did something on their page - Right click
on a webpage and select 'view source'. Do it now on this page
(excuse the messy code, won't you? - ReTroGrrl doesn't like
housework!) For a more specific HTML lesson mosey on in to
the Space Cadet Lounge next
door
Project Cool: RG used their book to get started!
how.now.brown.cow
Okay - so now you know what it is, do you really
have to learn all that stuff? Well, not really if you don't
want to - what you can do instead is pick up some software that
will do most of the job for you - Hey, why not make life easier
for yourself - even if it does cost money!. Try Macromedia Dreamweaver
or Sausage Software HotDog. ReTroGrrl will always think it's
worthwhile learning HTML, as you'll find out if you take the
thrilling Cadet lessons. She created this page created 'by hand'
- and it's free this way!
Sausage Software
Macromedia
the.write.stuff
If you ARE going to venture into the wilds of HTML
- Good on you! But where are you going to practice? Simply use
a plain text-editing program such as Notepad - in your accessories
folder, or Simple Text for those from Planet MAC. Save your
file as index.html, perhaps in a folder called 'HTML'. Fire
up your browser, without connecting to the internet and point
it to this file. If you have done well - it should load up.
If not, check your code and path.
If you make any changes to the index.html file you will
need to save the file and 'refresh' your browser window -
click refresh or reload!
fancy.free.&.ftp
Okay - you are on your way. Now what? Gotta get somewhere
to put the page online. If you are with a nice provider you
will have access to around 1-5MB of space in which to store
your homepage on their server - or may be you will have to go
looking for a free homepage elsewhere (try
geocities). How does your page jump from your computer to
the server? Well, you mix this magic potion, turn around 3 times
and wave a ..... No, No - it's easier than that.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol - is not a dirty word. You
need this to move your files quickly between the server and
your own computer - so that you can keep updating your page
as you find new ways to improve it.
There are many of these little programs available for download,
whether for free or for trial purposes. One of the best is
CuteFTP - its very easy to use, whilst some others are little
horrors. Go try it out for 30 days free. Your provider can
let you know what information needs to be entered into these
programs in order for it to connect and look in the right
spot for your page ... (Your provider should have information
to help you set up)
TuCows
lights.camera.action
Righto! You are up and running but, let's face it,
your page is BORING! What to do about it? Hey - you need pictures,
backgrounds and maybe some animations to make it snazzy and
interesting. If you are using software to create your page,
follow the instructions. If you are using HTML you will need
to learn the code for placing your purty pictures etc.
Web folk are a pretty generous and sharing kinda people
and many offer free graphics for all us non-graphically minded
souls to use - basically it's a case of finding something
you like and copying it. Yep - that's the Way of the Old Web.
Of course - some things may be copyrighted, but as long as
you give credit where it's due and don't pinch stuff, the
web's your oyster!. The following are some places where you
can grab useful things - just be careful to read the legal
stuff and Bob's your Uncle. (Well, he's ReTroGrrl's father-in-law
actually).
If you have access to a color scanner you can get really
carried away and have pics of the entire family beaming out
across the web - take a good look in the mirror first though
... that may not be such a good idea!
2Cool Animations
The Icon Bazaar
Once you find that little gem of an icon that you
just HAVE to have - then what?. Simply right-click it and save
it. Create a folder or 2 (in the same place as your index.html
file) to put them in so they stay tidy and bookmark these useful
sites. Pop anything else you will be using in here too - backgrounds,
pictures, special fonts and sounds.
whats.it.all.about.alfie?
Okay - last, but certainly not least, have some idea in mind
of what your page is going to focus on. Try to have some common
thread running through your ideas and try to make it pretty
- Maybe you have an outrageous hobby you are just dying to
share with the rest of the world (knitting footy jumpers for
hamsters?), maybe you are a member of a terrifically interesting
club (The Nuriootpa Ninepin Nannies Bowling Club?). Whatever
it may be - ReTroGrrl and all at r.e.t.r.o.c.i.t.y wish you
Good Luck and Happy Webbing!
On to the real stuff...
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