 here is no 'official' HTML editor for this course, but if you want to get specific help using your HTML editor, your best strategy
is to use either Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia Dreamweaver. There are
more HTML
editors available, some of them free (including Netscape Communicator), but it is not practical for this course to include
instruction in them all. Examples shown in this course are from FrontPage 2002. The 'major' HTML editors
are generally more capable, and developing proficiency in at least one of
them may someday aid in your future profession. Prices vary, but when this course was originally put together,
FrontPage was the least expensive, with student versions selling for about $100. You need to decide which editor
you will be using. Switching editors later may be possible, but will
cause extra work. Skills / Equipment Check
 An HTML editor alone can make the pages of a web
site, but for some of the extra features you will want to have, it is
suggested that additional software and equipment be available if possible.
Here is a list of 'desirables':
- An HTML editor. This is actually mandatory for this
class. Which one do you think you'll be using?
- Photo / graphics editing software. Many digital cameras have
bundled with them photo editors. Most computers with Microsoft
Office and many computers with Windows 98 also have Microsoft Photo Editor
installed. Other graphics software titles may be available at your
school. Look for Adobe PhotoShop, Paint Shop Pro, Corel PhotoPaint,
or similar. If all else fails, you can use Windows Paint, but it is
NOT recommended.
- A digital camera. The necessity of a camera depends on the type
of web site you are building. But if you have access to a camera,
we're sure you'll get ideas on what to use if for.
- A scanner. Scanners are used less than they once were due to the
recent popularity of digital cameras, but a scanner is still a nice tool to
have available.
- Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, or other good word processor. We won't
use a
word processor to create our main web documents, but Word's WordArt and WordPerfect's TextArt can be useful for making nice page title graphics.
WordPerfect 9 (and later versions) has a 'Publish to PDF' ability which may be
useful.
- Microsoft Excel, Lotus 123, Corel Quattro Pro, or other
spreadsheet. Cells in
a spreadsheet, when copied and pasted into an HTML editor, become a table.
This is useful if your website will be publishing large data tables, or a
frequently
changing data table such as a sports team's league standing.
- Other Software? Do you have access to other software that
may be useful? Micosoft PowerPoint files can become web pages, as
can Adobe Acrobat files (PDF). AutoCAD can export to WMF format and
become a viewable image file.
- A capable computer. Web sites can be created using older
computers, but if your PC is a Pentium 200 or older, or has less than 64
mb of memory, you may experience
too much frustration. Similarly, using Windows 95 or earlier is not
a good idea.
- Frequent email access. We will correspond using both the
Discussion Board (for public discussion) and email (for private
discussion). It is better if you check your email daily.
Lesson 1, Task 3
We're all in this together.
The instructor and your classmates will be better able to offer you help, or
seek your advice, if we know your current abilities, equipment access, and
needs. Complete this online
Equipment & Skills Questionnaire. When you are done, make a brief
L1-3 posting letting everyone know you are done. The teacher will put
your Questionnaire results in the Discussion Board so that other students
can make commentary. Your
submitted report is L1-3 (Lesson 1, Task 3). |
