Vol. 2, No. 21
TODAY'S LESSON: Back to Basics

It's always fun to add new techno gizmos to a website, like a catapulting, flaming hippo that turns into a page icon after it crashes and burns. With the advent of Flash and similar technologies, there is almost no end to the amount of interactive fun you can create.

But how has your HTML fared amid all this new, scripted mayhem? Does it need to be updated or added to so your pages work together seamlessly?

Microsoft and Netscape are constantly tinkering with their browsers, and keeping up with them sure can be a hassle. Have you checked a browser chart lately to see where your site stacks up?

Or have you given any thought to the overall design of your site and how it fits together?

Ya, that's what I thought.

>>> Checks and Balances <<<

Sometimes developing a website is a project that demands planning, coordination, and lots of user testing. Other times, it's an afternoon of random HTML scribbling that results in something that looks and acts like a Web page, but is in fact a disaster. And then there is everything inbetween these two extremes. To see where you fall on the spectrum, take a closer look at the contents of your site and the code behind it.

"The Basics"
Verifying the HTML code that makes up a Web page requires more than viewing the page in your browser. There are several different browsers, each with several versions, and pages don't always work the same in each. HTML errors can also open up security holes in your pages, exposing your site (and your customers) to trouble. Use this checklist to ensure that your HTML code meets all standards and produces Web pages the way you want them.

"Chart Your Course"
One of the biggest pains about making Web pages is having to keep track of which browsers support what features. Wouldn't it be nice if there were some way to keep track of it all? Well, Webmonkey whipped up a few articles and charts to make things easier for you.

"Look and Feel"
Following these steps will help you ensure that site changes fit in well with the rest of your content, programming components still function, and graphics display properly, and will allow you to check other elements essential to your site's look and feel.

>>> HTML Tools <<<

If you've gone through all the checks and balances on your website and everything looks good, then go get yourself a cool, refreshing beverage. For the rest of you, perhaps it's time to get to work on that sloppy code.

"Shootout"
An annual tradition at Webmonkey is the flaming donut toss, which just gets more dangerous every year. Another tradition is the WYSIWIG editor shootout, which should help you decide which HTML editor suits your needs.

"Free Style"
With the Tripod FreeForm Editor, you can start typing and work some HTML magic of your own.

1. Templates help improve consistency and speed Web page authoring. To make a template, create an HTML file that includes the common features of your Web pages, such as navigation controls, background images, and text formatting. Clearly mark where specific content needs to be inserted. You might want to create multiple page templates to match the types of Web pages you publish frequently. Let Webmonkey help.

2. If you've installed special programming features on your site, test them thoroughly. Scripting and programming bugs might not only fail to work; they can also prevent visitors from seeing anything else on your site. Special attention should be paid to programs, scripts, image maps, and tables.

3. Instead of buying one of those fancy "universal" remote controls, which operates a VCR, TV, DVD and stereo all in one, try the following: take all of your remote controls and stack them up on top of each other. Grab a piece of duct tape and wrap it around the bunch. Voila, your own homemade universal remote.

Handcrafted Archive