[rubydog]

Hello,

I've been following various threads regarding the best and easiest way for a novice to build a web site. I was all set to start writing some HTML lines when I realized that Apple Works will save a word processor document to HTML. I created 2 documents, linked the second to the first via a link word, saved them to HTML, opened the first in IE, and sucessfully opened the second with the link.

Am I missing something or did I create the basics of a web site without writing code or buying Dreamweaver, etc.?

Thanks, Steve

[Simon Mundy]

Originally posted by rubydog:
Hello,

I've been following various threads regarding the best and easiest way for a novice to build a web site. I was all set to start writing some HTML lines when I realized that Apple Works will save a word processor document to HTML. I created 2 documents, linked the second to the first via a link word, saved them to HTML, opened the first in IE, and sucessfully opened the second with the link.

Am I missing something or did I create the basics of a web site without writing code or buying Dreamweaver, etc.?

Thanks, Steve

Nope, you're not missing anything (least of all a whole wad of cash!)

If you're in it for the sheer joy of learning something new, then that's a good way to start. Make some docs, export them out and see what happens.

The real learning starts to take place when you say to yourself... "Hmmm. How do I get that picture to sit to the right... And now to put some space around it... Now to make that text a little less ugly...". That's when you open up the html file in a true text editor (see many threads on that subject) and tinker with the code, one rule at a time.

Then you'll discover a whole world of books, free online resources and tutorials that can help you get to know HTML a bit better, and how it differs from traditional 'printed' media, and how certain subtleties of document structuring can make your life a lot easier. Then there's CSS, XHTML, etc...

Before you know it you'll be up at 4am with bleary eyes, cursing the day IE5.5 was ever released to the public, but there's another story...

But you have made the right start - don't dive in expecting to create a masterpiece to begin with, but gradually get used to how HTML behaves and then take it from there.

Good luck!

[philzilla]

Originally posted by Simon Mundy:
Before you know it you'll be up at 4am with bleary eyes, cursing the day IE5.5 was ever released to the public, but there's another story...

6am!

Simon's right though, Steve. the fun part is the initial learning. things which scare you now aren't so far off your reach. i've done things today which would've made my head spin, if you'd have stopped me a couple of years ago and told me i was going to be doing them. i was juggling a pizza, a beer, a phone call and a load of iChat at the same time too, like a true professional web developer

good luck, mate. i hope you stick at it.

[Sage]

Originally posted by Simon Mundy:
Before you know it you'll be up at 4am with bleary eyes, cursing the day IE5.5 was ever released to the public, but there's another story...

Oh, you just curse the day? I tend to pick up one of my poor Windows friends on AIM and rat 'em out until they block me or download Firefox.

</tongue id="in_cheek">

[wataru]

Exporting a document as HTML from a word processor is a guaranteed way to get bloated, crappy pages. If you really want to build a site, get started learning XHTML and CSS and write your code by hand (it's free!).

[rubydog]

Thanks for all your input and advice. I'm on my way!

Steve

[mdc]

Originally posted by Sage:
Oh, you just curse the day? I tend to pick up one of my poor Windows friends on AIM and rat 'em out until they block me or download Firefox.

</tongue id="in_cheek">

yup yup. which windows user is online? hmmmm... hey, do me a favor go to my website. i can almost hear them groaning from the other side of the world.

if you start to experiment with css you might want to look at css edit. it will help with writing css. look at other people's css and html and work out how they did it.

[Simon Mundy]

Originally posted by wataru:
Exporting a document as HTML from a word processor is a guaranteed way to get bloated, crappy pages. If you really want to build a site, get started learning XHTML and CSS and write your code by hand (it's free!).

I reckon that's putting the cart before the horse. How do you judge whether a page is bloated until you have experienced both word-processor-generated-code and your own handwritten code?

I'm not advocating that as a great way to build a site, just a good stepping stone to learning how HTML displays and behaves.