Internet
- Network of networks
- Computers being linked to computers
- Transfers files from one computer to another
Web Pages
- Files that are transmitted via the Internet
- Contain links to other pages and other files
- Viewed with a web browser

Additional Notes:

What is the Internet and what are web pages?

The key thing to remember here is that the Internet is the device and the web page is the series of files that the device transports to your computer.

Client and Server Technology

Client

This is you, your computer, using your browser
Processes that occur on the local machine:

Interpreting HTML, JavaScript, Plug-ins
Requesting information from the Server

Server

Where the web related files reside
Where programs and processes are executed so that the web page can be sent to the client

Additional Notes:

What is a client and a server and why do we need to understand it?

When you are viewing a web page from your computer, you are viewing a copy of a file (or a collection of files) that was sent to you from a server.

HTML and Web Pages

What does it stand for?

HTML = HyperText Markup Language

What does it do?

It tells the browser how to structure the content of a web page

What is it?

Web language - Not typically dependent upon a specific browser

Web pages can include:

HTML, JavaScript, Applets, etc.
Links to images, video, sound, URLs, non-html documents, web pages, etc.

What are the core tags?

<html>

<head>

<title>this appears at the top of the browser</title>

</head>

<body>

this appears on the screen

</body>

</html>

Editors

Text - no support, no tags written for you
- Notepad
- Pico
HTML - supports author in preparing tags
WYSIWYG - makes tags for you
- Dreamweaver by Macromedia
- Frontpage by MicroSoft
- Composer by Netscape
- GoLive by Adobe
Converting to HTML - using a word processor or presentation software to create your content and then converting it to an HTML document
- Word by Microsoft
- Word Perfect by Correl
- Power Point by Microsoft
- many other programs can convert files to HTML as well.

Deciding which one to use?

When you decide which tool to use, you will need to think about:

Which tool is most comfortable and easy to use for you?
Which tool fits your budget?
Which tool has the functions you need. For simple web pages, this isn't an issue, but for complex website, you will find that some of the tools have functions which the others may not have.
What server will you be putting your webpage on? For simple webpages, again, this is not an issue. However, for more complicated websites, you will find that different servers have different technologies available on them, and this will impact how you design your site and what HTML editor you can use.

In today's workshop, we will be concentrating on simple webpages. As you become more savvy with these tools, you will need to look into issues such as:

type of content on your website (static or dynamic)
server you will be using
advanced features such as templates and site management tools

Some Basic Differences

Cost:

MS Word 2000-- free for faculty/ staff
MS Front Page-- $29 to buy the CD from Patriot Computers (faculty/ staff).
Notepad-- comes with your computer
Netscape Composer-- free
Dreamweaver-- $99

WYSIWYG?:

MS Word 2000-- yes
MS Front Page-- yes
Notepad-- no
Netscape Composer-- yes
Dreamweaver-- yes
GoLive --yes

Table Editing:

MS Word 2000-- yes
MS Front Page-- yes
Notepad-- no, unless you learn the coding for tables
Netscape Composer-- you can create tables, but they are difficult to edit
Dreamweaver-- yes
GoLive --yes

Browser Compatability:

MS Front Page-- can set a browser you are designing for, but works best with Internet Explorer.
Notepad-- depends on the code you write.
Netscape Composer-- compatable with most browsers.
Dreamweaver-- can test/ preview in all browsers that you designate.

Note: These are only some basic differences. If you intend to use advanced features and technologies such as SSI, databases, templates/ shared borders, image mapping, etc. please talk to a member of the IRC staff or take the "Making Webpages-- which tool is right for you?" workshop.

Demonstration of basic features

making a hyperlink to other web pages
adding formatting (bold)
inserting an image (if time)
previewing your page in a browser

Skills Matrix

	Note pad	Frontpage	Dreamweaver	Composer	MS office applications
Required Skills	Know and understand how to add HTML code to a text document.	Know and understand the implications of allowing HTML code that is not cross browser to be loaded into the page.	Know and understand the basic structure of a webpage.	Understand basic HTML in order to interpret what Composer calls specific tags.	To use the application in question and to understand how to recognize what files are created and when/if they must be included when publishing.
Learning Curve	Could be significant. Must learn HTML code. If basic formatting is all that is required, this could be simple.	Requires basic understanding of web pages, web sites, server support, and site management functions that impact how pages are saved and manipulated.	Requires a basic understanding of HTML in order to quickly edit files and for troubleshooting.	Builds a basic web page without having to understand site management functions that impact how pages are saved and manipulated.	Depends on the application
	Note pad	Frontpage	Dreamweaver	Composer	MS Office application
Who is it for?	People who are: confortable working in multiple windows and programs at once. used to programing and coding.	beginners familiar with Microsoft programs people who have access to a server with Front Page extensions those wishing to use a database with a website AND have access to a server with Front Page extensions those who do not have graphic editing software those working with a group or team	beginners people with large websites those who do not have access to a server with Front Page extensions people who do not mind purchasing the software those working with a group or team	beginners simple webpages without advanced features small websites (where a site management tool isn't needed)	converting already existing documents to HTML (but may need to edit the HTML further to make sure it will format properly!) webpage novices who only want a small website and don't want to learn a new tool.