Tenn-Share Presentation August, 1997
Middle Tennessee State University

Create a Web Page in 10 easy Steps

    Step 1

    Web page tutorials

  • Ginny's 10 easier steps
  • HTML How to basicsRecommended site for really easy and good explanations on how to create web pages.
  • OIT ClassStep by step instructions on creating a web page from the OIT, MTSU.
  • Creating a Net Site Tutorial and links from Netscape.
  • HTML: A Tutorial for BeginnersA very thorough and well organized tutorial.
  • Basic HTMLUniversity of Queensland HTML interactive tutorial.
  • Beginner's Arena Hard to believe there are this many sites on HTML. You are going to find at least one site that speaks HTML in a language you can understand.
  • The AbyssTutorials, links etc. for HTML, Java Script, Java, CGI, etc.

    Step 2

    Web site design

    The two main considerations are style and structure. The visual design and the organization of information on your site will depend upon your intended audience and the purpose of the site. Your content will often dictate the arrangement of your site. The following sites are concise guides to What to do and what not to do in designing a web site.

  • Web Design
  • Design for Web-TV
  • Roger Black's Web sites that work
  • Art of the bad web site
  • Web Pages that Suck
  • DO-IT Designing accessible web pages.

  • Practical Design Issues (from Building the Service Based Library Web Site
    • Check your page on different browsers.
    • Do not overuse tags that work on only one browser.
    • Be careful that your background does not detract from the content.
    • View your page on a text-only browser to make sure that you do not over use photos and images.
    • Don't use too much text blocked together.
    • Provide comments about linked sites.
    • Make sure that all links work.
    • Check spelling and grammar.
    • Make contact info easy to find--name, address, last updated.
    • Put the URL on your page.
    • Identify each page
    • Make sure the page is easy to use with approprite navigation links.

    Step 3

    Learning HTML or HTML editors

  • Whatis.comDefinitions of internet and computer terms, as well as how to info.
  • Beginner's Guide to HTML
  • A compendium of HTML Elements
  • HTML Writer's Guild
  • List of html editors
  • HTML Help for all
  • Netscape Navigator Gold

    Step 4

    Backgrounds and colors

  • VBMVirtual Background Museum.
  • Color chart
  • Test your Colors

    Background hints:

    • When you use a background, make sure that you can still easily read the text. Example: Poodle PageSo awful, you almost love it.
    • Avoid using dark backgrounds with light colored text. Although, sometimes, it works well HarperCollins
    • Reading ease depends upon the contrast between the color of the background and the text.
    • Example: Jennie's Page of Frogs Cute page despite the purple text on black background.
    • Example: Emergency House Alert Unit Hurts my eyes, what about yours?

    Step 5

    Icons, Graphics, etc.

    Graphics can add interest and enhance your presentation of information. Icons can be used to help direct visitors through your site.
  • Library Graphics Links to other library graphic sites.
  • Library Media and PR Free banners and graphics. Really nice looking.
  • Library Clip Art  
  • ALA symbols
  • Randy's Icon Bazaar
  • Resources for Web Pages
  • Tips on designing a Web Site
  • E-mail animation
  • Media Builder
  • The Graphic Station Everything you need for your web page.
  • Barry's Clip Art Server
  • Caboodles of Clip Art

    Hints for Images:

    • Too many graphics will create a busy look that may confuse the reader. Example: Dipadee Donuts Busy background, many animations, really big print.
    • Graphics that are too large will increase the time that it takes for your page to appear to the viewer.
    • Remember the cliche A picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure your image says what you want it to say.
    • If you like to a an image that will take a long time to download, warn the user by providing info on the size of the image.
    • Always include the "alt" tag, so that text-based browers will not be left out--welcome
      img src="welcome.gif" alt="welcome"
    • Learn to make your own graphics using Paint Shop Pro or Corel Draw.
    • Scan images or photos for use at your site.

    Step 6

    Forms, CGI, Image Maps, Animation, etc.

  • I-us Discussion and tutorials on web design and graphics.
  • Web developer's resources
  • Matt's Script Archive
  • CGI Resources Index
  • Imagemap Help Page
  • Mapedit
  • Web counter
  • Creating Forms for the Web Easy tutorial on how to do forms from Northwestern University.
  • Tutorials on CGI and Perl by Scott Sams
  • Get Animated

    Step 7

    HTML Validation

  • Weblint
  • BobbyUse Bobby to make web pages accessible to those with disabilities. Find HTML compatibility problems that prevent pages from displaying correctly on different web browsers.
  • Doctor HTML
  • MOMspiderLink checker.
  • HTML Forms Test From digital

    Step 8

    Publicizing your page

  • Promoting your page
  • Submit it


    Step 9

    Maintaining/Evaluating your page

  • Remember to include the date when your site was last updated.
  • Check your links frequently.
  • Make provision for an easy submission of comments and suggestions from your users.
  • Alert your visitors to features or links.

    Step 10

    Learning more and more......

    Although online tutorials are helpful, often books will give you a really detailed explanation of how things work. An online library of computer books about the web is located at Que's Digital Bookshelf Check out their neon sign

    Books at MTSU Library

    025.04 
    M56u 
    Using the World Wide Web and Creating Home Pages: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians by Ray E. Metz and Gail Junion-Metz. Neal Schuman, 1996. 

    021.65 
    G18b 
    Building the Service-Based Library Web Site: A step-by-step guide to design and options by Kristen L. Garlock and Sherry Piontek.  ALA, 1996

    686.22544 M58p
    Web publishing with Word for Windows / Ron Person with Lorry Laby, Brady P. Merkel. Indianapolis, IN : Que, c1995.

    004.6 In8le
    Teach yourself Web publishing with HTML in a week / Laura Lemay. Indianapolis, Ind. : Sams Publishing, c1995.

    004.6 In8ho
    Publishing on the World Wide Web for Macintosh / Greg Holden ; [foreword by Andy Ihnatko. Indianapolis, Ind. : Hayden Books, c1995.

    005.133 J32m
    Java unleashed / [Michael Morrison ... Indianapolis, IN : Sams.net, c1996.

    004.6 N55d
    Designing for the web : getting started in a new medium / Jennifer Niederst with Edie Freedman. Sebastopol, CA : O'Reilly & Associates, c1996.

    006.6 M12c
    Creating great Web graphics / Laurie McCanna. New York : MIS:Press, 1996.

    005.133 J32f
    Java in a nutshell : a desktop quick reference for Java programmers / David Flanagan. Bonn ; Sebastopol, CA : O'Reilly & Associates, 1996.

    005.75 G76h
    The HTML sourcebook / Ian S. Graham. New York : Wiley, c1995.

    005.72 M97h
    HTML, the definitive guide / Chuck Musciano and Bill Kennedy. Bonn ; Sebastopol, CA : O'Reilly & Associates, 1996.

    Comments to vvesper@ulibnet.mtsu.edu
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