I am sorry we have not gotten into JavaScript, but summer would have cut
into the lessons. For consistency's stake we will begin JavaScript in the
fall. In the meantime, here is some extra, yet useful, information on HTML.
There are many programs available for writing HTML and making web pages such
as Microsoft FrontPage, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Notepad. Each has its
benefits as well as some flaws.
FRONTPAGE
Even though I have actually heard people cursing this program, it is what is
taught to most web page beginners. FrontPage is very easy to use; it uses
the methods of "drag and drop" and "type as you go" for making web pages.
However, it greatly limits what you can do and how much control you have. If
you are a real beginner, it is hard to figure out HTML code, and FrontPage
adds its information to each of your pages. For better or for worse, your
web page becomes an advertisement for Microsoft, and you are not getting
paid to run it.
DREAMWEAVER
Dreamweaver is a great program for beginners and experts; however, it is
expensive. If you are a student, you can get an educational discount from
Macromedia, but the cost is still substantial. With Dreamweaver you can
"drag and drop" like FrontPage, but you can also type in the HTML. With
Dreamweaver you can split the screen and have one half with code and have
the page on the other; this feature is really nice. Actually, this is the
greatest feature on Dreamweaver. If you have the code and page on split
screen, you can look at the page and see if there is something wrong with
your code. You don't have to read through all the code looking for the problem.
Just click the problem area on the page, and Dreamweaver will highlight the code
associated with the part of the page you clicked.
NOTEPAD
Notepad is as basic as you come, and it is free and is installed on every
computer. To use Notepad you do need to have some understanding of HTML, but
you don't need to be a master. Since it is web design in its purist form,
Notepad gives you the most control. The first flaw is that you don't get a
nifty preview where you can go back and forth. However, if you open the page
in a browser window, you can keep track of your changes if you refresh it
every time you save. The second flaw is that if you wrote your HTML in another
program, Notepad does not always understand the other program's character
for enter. Your code could end up all on one line, and you would need
to separate it line by line.
Depending on your skill and your financial situation, you have to choose the
right program for you. There are lots of other programs out there too,
but these are just the three I come across the most.
___
Jonelle Thackston is
RU's resident yankee.
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