Web Design
The foremost thing you need to understand is Hyper Text Markup Language or HTML. HTML comes in many flavors at the moment, but a thorough understanding of HTML 3 is good enough for most positions.
If you really want a Webmaster job, you'll need to know Active X, CGI, DHTML, HTML 4, Perl, Java Script, and more.
Whatever you decide, study layout and design first. The Web is an interesting, fast-paced adventure, but good design principles still hold true.
Programs
Front Page is the most requested program. It does write some proprietary code (Supported by MS Internet Explorer but not Netscape) so check the pages on Netscape too.
A really terrific program for web site creation. Pure HTML without any proprietary code. Both text and 'drag and drop' editing.
For large commercial sites check this full featured program. Goes beyond any
techwriter's needs.
A great alternative to FrontPage. If your company doesn't have a program yet, this is a great choice. Advanced, yet easy-to-use site management and scripting tools. Now comes bundled with Homesite!
I have never used this one, but BBEdit is supposed to be the only program for Mac authors.
My favorite FREE HTML authoring tool. Easy enough for beginners, yet allows for expert customization.
Web Resources
The HTML writer's guild is a terrific place to learn just about anything about web design.
This is where you can find out what is official in HTML. If you follow these standards, you won't go wrong.
This is the best HTML tutorial site that I have found. Some seriously bad jokes though!
Another good tutorial site.
Not interested in learning Java, but still want to put some action on your pages? Here's a great place to find Java and CGI scripts. (Minor tweaking still required.)
Need more links? Eskimo North has an extensive list.
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© 1999, Paul Dunham