HTML SOFTWARE TO ASSIST IN WEB PAGE DESIGN

Should I not simply use one of the programs on the market that makes up web pages for me? You could. While all of them will give a basic home page, a number of them are limited in what they can do. Many do not, for example, give you all the features of HTML. However, I am also sure that there are programs on the market (and new programs coming out all the time) that do incorporate most of the features of the various versions of HTML. Still, in order to get maximum use out of these programs, you need to understand HTML and what it can do for you in the design of web pages. It would be good to know what will work in most browsers and what won't work. It would be good to know what tags are browser specific or what tags will work only in a high level browser. If you understand the basics of HTML, you will have a much better understanding of what you are trying to accomplish with these market programs. You could also use an HTML program to assist you with some of the basic stuff and then code the rest yourself with your knowledge of HTML. Someday you may want to experiment with some of these programs. There is no doubt that learning the basics of the HTML language is necessary to fully understand these web page design programs. Knowing HTML will allow you to tweak and fine tune a web page to perfection.

To illustrate what I am trying to say, here are three unsolicited testimonials I received. This first one is from Karen who lives in the state of Georgia, USA. She writes: "I can't thank you enough for taking the time to explain HTML. I'm off work due to an illness. Being bored out of my mind I decided to try to create a web page without any knowledge of HTML. The programs I used did the basics, but I found them confusing because I lacked the knowledge of HTML. So I went surfing and found your website. I must say that I am impressed. After going through all the lessons, I've got some great ideas and can't wait to get started on my own page. I decided to dump the programs and do all the coding myself. When I finish my web page there will be a note of thanks and link to your website. My greatest appreciation, Karen."

Here is an email I received from Brenda who lives in Illinois. She writes: "I have printed all of the pages of your lessons and am impressed at the level of information it contains. I can actually understand what you are talking about although I am brand new to HTML. I am teaching myself how to create my company web page using FrontPage and I have an embarrassingly simple web page on Geocities. Some trouble has occurred in FrontPage with extensions and color changes, hence I am trying to learn HTML to correct them. Thank you so much for taking the time to create these lessons. They are fabulous! Brenda."

Our third email is from Sharon who lives in Pennsylvania, USA. She writes: "After being overwhelmed by HomeSite, and constrained by templates on free space websites, this is exactly what I was looking for. You write in a wonderfully clear, concise way, that's easy to follow. Your problems are instructive, and the pace is perfect. THANK YOU!"

I have also received many other e-mails from people expressing similar view points. I'm not advocating that we "dump" these programs. For some people they are very essential in designing websites and in updating them. But the point to be made is that it is better to take some time and learn HTML first. Then if you do run into some problems with these programs, you will know how to correct them.

So now sit back, relax, and learn a whole new language called HTML. You will be happy you did.