So, you want to create your own Web site. Well then you need to learn HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language), the basic language of all Web pages. Start with the basics, and use a simple ASCII text editor (I use Windows Notepad) to enter your HTML code. You can evolve to one of the many HTML editors later. Trust me, when you're trying to set up a complicated Web page and troubleshoot problems, you'll be glad you know what all that code really does. Here are a few really good tutorials to help you learn HTML and guide you through good Web design. COMING SOON! All new links to updated HTML, XHTML, and XML guides and tutorials.

Writing HTML From the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI). Writing HTML was developed by Alan Levine, instructional technologist at the Maricopa Community Colleges. This is the tutorial that I used to learn basic HTML. I particularly like that you can download all the lessons and work on them offline. There are step-by-step lessons with everything provided to actually build a sample Web site. A quote from the Introduction: This tutorial teaches you how to create web pages the old-fashioned way -- by hand. There are software "tools" that allow you to spin web pages without touching any HTML. But if you are serious about doing more than a page or two, we believe a grounding in the basics will greatly accelerate what you can do. We strongly urge that you use the most basic text editor while you learn HTML and then later you can explore HTML "editors."

NCSA Beginner's Guide to HTML Many people use the NCSA Beginner's Guide to HTML as a starting point to understanding HTML. It is an introduction and does not pretend to offer instructions on every aspect of HTML. Links to additional Web-based resources about HTML and other related aspects of preparing files are provided at the end of the guide.

Introduction to HTML by Eric A Meyer. A well-written, easy-to-understand, great tutorial that covers everything you need to know to create a basic Web page--and then some.

Guidelines for HTML Writers of MIDI File Pages (Charles Kelly) Some points to consider when putting together pages. Not just for MIDI file pages, lots of general information. This is a fun site with lots of info on what NOT to do when designing a Web page. He doesn't just tell you what not to do, he shows you.

Doctor HTML - test the HTML on your page. Doctor HTML is a Web page analysis tool that retrieves an HTML page and reports on any problems that it finds. The primary focus of this tool is to provide a clear, easy-to-use report of information that is relevant for improving your Web page.

Learning HTML   |   Good Grammar   |   Creating Web Graphics
Fun With Fonts   |   Getting Listed by the Search Engines

Good Grammar

Whether we realize it or not, grammar is an important factor in our ability to communicate coherently--especially in writing. Good writers use good grammar. Trouble is, there is very little agreement on just exactly what constitutes good grammar! These sites can help you sort through the confusion and make some sense of those frustrating "rules of grammar."

Guide to Grammar and Style by Jack Lynch An indexed list of grammar "suggestions."

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation This is Jane Straus' reference guide and workbook online. An excellent and easy-to-use resource.

Grammar Now! You can enter a grammar question and they will e-mail you the answer -- free!

Good Grammar, Good Style A searchable archive of grammar and style articles and frequently asked questions.

The Online English Grammar A comprehensive list of English grammar resources. Well indexed and easy to use.

Learning HTML   |   Good Grammar   |   Creating Web Graphics
Fun With Fonts   |   Getting Listed by the Search Engines

Creating Web Graphics

The graphics on our web pages were all made with Paint Shop Pro, and some also used the BladePro plugin. If you want to try your hand at Web graphics, or even add some "pizzazz" to your printed documents, check them out.

Paint Shop Pro From Jasc Software, the greatest graphics package you'll find for the money! From simple to sophisticated, it'll do everything the (much) more expensive systems do. A real bargain. A free trial version is available so you can try it out and see how you like it before you buy.

BladePro From Flaming Pear Software, a plugin designed for Photoshop, but works great with many other graphics programs, including Paint Shop Pro. Use it to add 3D effects, lighting effects, and texture to your text and graphics. A free trial version is available.

Paint Shop Pro and BladePro Related Sites

Web Graphics on a Budget (Mardi Wetmore) The best tutorials available on the Web for Paint Shop Pro and Blade Pro. Easy to follow, lots of examples, and you can download the tutorials in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Also some free graphics!

PSP Users Group Paint Shop Pro tutorials, tips and tricks, a gallery of graphics, resources, and a list of filters with instructions on how to get them into PSP.

PSP Interactive Zone Paint Shop Pro tutorials, freebies, forums, resources, links, and other Paint Shop Pro related information.

Graphics Tutorials for Computer Artists and Digital Photographers Tutorials on both Paint Shop Pro and BladePro techniques. Everything from simple to advanced. Includes tutorials on manipulation of photographs.

Jasc Software Learning Center Jasc Software's own page of PSP tutorials.

State of Entropy PSP tutorials as well as BladePro tutorials and presets.

PSP Tutorial Links A great PSP links site organized by category. An easy way to find a tutorial on something specific you want to do in PSP.

Learning HTML   |   Good Grammar   |   Creating Web Graphics
Fun With Fonts   |   Getting Listed by the Search Engines

Fun With Fonts

If you find yourself, rather than reading an advertisement or billboard, figuring out which fonts were used, you are a fontaholic. If you regret the basic design rule of using only one or two fonts and their variations 'cause you want to go "hog wild" with all the great fonts you have, you are a fontaholic. If you have over 500 (or several thousand!) fonts stored on your hard disk and CDs, you are a fontaholic. If you wish that Web browsers had some way of displaying something (anything) besides Arial and Times New Roman to people who don't have anything else on their computers, you are a fontaholic. Yep, I admit it, I'm a fontaholic. I search for 'em; I collect 'em; and I use 'em whenever/wherever I can. My favorite to collect are the "dingbats" (great name huh?), character fonts that are little graphics that you just type in. They're great for creating all sorts of Web graphics.

Following are links to some great freeware/shareware font archives and a few type foundries (the people who create fonts). Start searching, and you'll be a fontaholic before you even realize it!

1001 Free Fonts Thousands of fonts to choose from listed alphabetically. One of the largest font archives on the Web. Even has Mac fonts. Some annoying popups to get through, but it's easy to find the fonts and they're displayed well.

Fonts & Things Lots of great freeware and shareware fonts organized by category or theme as well as alphabetically. Also has some good font tools.

fontastic! A really fun site with some really fun fonts. Well organized, easy to navigate.

Acid Fonts A large archive of True Type fonts listed alphabetically. Be forewarned that this site has a lot of annoying (font-related) popups!

The Dingbat Pages Love those dingbats! This is one of the best dingbat archives: nicely categorized, easy to preview and download.

Font Mania All freeware fonts. Includes a message board, a chat room to discuss fonts, and some helpful tips, tricks, and hints.

Truly Different

OK, if you want some very different fonts (you can tell just by the site names) for fun or a special project, check these out.

disturbed type Some different, weird, and fun original fonts.

divide by zero More weird original fonts.

The Chank Company free fonts Same as above only from different sources, all exclusive to The Chank Company. They also sell fonts and will make custom fonts.

Learning HTML   |   Good Grammar   |   Creating Web Graphics
Fun With Fonts   |   Getting Listed by the Search Engines

Getting Listed by the Search Engines

OK, you've put together a great Web site. You're really proud of it. Now who's gonna see it? Whether you're promoting your business or expounding the merits of your favorite TV show, you want people to visit your site. These sites can help you get the word out.

Search Engine Watch Lots of information about search engines and how they search and list your site, as well as how to get your site in a high position.

Getting Listed by the Major Search Engines This is a short but helpful article on how to get your site listed by the search engines "with emphasis on personal homepages at Web communities like GeoCities, Tripod, Xoom, AOL, and Hypermart." Includes links to the "submit" pages of major search engines.

Learning HTML   |   Good Grammar   |   Creating Web Graphics
Fun With Fonts   |   Getting Listed by the Search Engines