Simple Web Pages - Home

WHY?

You might ask, "Why would I want to know about creating web pages?" That is a good question. Here are a few answers:

  1. As a teacher, you could create a page to inform your students about assignments or projects.
  2. You could create a virtual field trip using pictures, descriptions, and links to others places on the internet.
  3. You could create an on-line learning unit.
  4. You could provide parents with information and pictures from class projects or events.
  5. As a student, you could create an on-line newspaper.
  6. You could publish a class project as a web site.
  7. You could organize your hobbies, pictures, or anything else as a web site for others to enjoy.
  8. Just about anything that involves information or images might be interesting to have on-line, if it is arranged in a creative way.
WHAT?

So, what do I need?

There are only THREE things that you need to make a web page.
  1. A computer - I bet the one your using will do...
  2. A browser - Internet Explorer is free and any other one would work as well.
  3. A word editor - The simplest is "Notepad" which is a program on every windows based computer.
HOW?

How do I make a web page?

There are really 3 options for this, but my favorite is the 1st.
  1. You could learn basic HTML coding. What is that?

    H-T-M-L are initials that stand for HyperText Markup Language, that means:

    • Hyper is the opposite of linear. Computer programs used to move in a linear fashion; but now the person viewing the World Wide Web can go anywhere, any time they want.
    • Text is what you write - using English letters!
    • Mark up is adding little bits of information (codes or "tags") to your text.
    • Language starts with "L" to finish HTML; and Hypertext Markup Larry doesn't really sound right.

    You can learn HTML in a few short lessons. A great place to learn it is on-line at: HTMLGoodies.com

  2. You could get a web page editing program.
    There are several of these available for free or you can pay for a program like "FrontPage" or a variety of others. Many of these work well, but it means learning to navigate a new program and not really understanding why or how web pages work.

    If you are interested, try HTML Kit , or (better yet) pablosoftwaresolutions.com for a free web editing program. (Note that I am not recommending it, so don't get mad at me for telling you about it...)

  3. You could get someone else to write your pages. Just don't ask me, please.
WHERE?

Where do I save the page when I create it?

First, please save it to your hard drive! After that there is a short process to get it on the internet:

  1. You need a domain name. This is the "address" where your page is located. Many are available for free (try geocities.com) or you can pay a small fee ($15 a year) to register one of your choice (try directnic.com).

  2. You need server space. This is where your page is actually "saved" so that it is accessible to anyone at anytime. Domain names do not necessarily come with server space, but 20 MB of space is usually free if you are willing to put up with a little advertising for the provider.
    geocities.com is an option; or try godaddy.com where 200 MB of space is available free of advertising for about $40 a year!

  3. You need an FTP program. This is a simple little program that records the location of your on-line web pages and sends your new or revised pages to that location. You can always view what is on your "server" with this program so that you know when the files were changed, how big the files are, and how they are connected to eachother (you need to use folders there too, but we'll talk about that later). A good one (and free!) is SmartFTP.

  4. If you are a teacher at ECA, I have a special deal for you! If you want to create pages for your classes at ECA, they can be added to the ECA web page (which you are viewing now). To do this you just have to send me your page as an e-mail attachment. Make sure you save your page with an .html extention and include, as attachments, the pictures or backgrounds you want on the page. Send them to webguy@ecaspain.org.
NEXT?

What do I do next?

We are developing a few easy guides for you if you just want some basic information about layout and content in simple web pages. Follow them in order please! Here are the options:

  • Web Content - This gives you information about what you should put on your web page.
  • HTML Basics - This helps you with basic HTML "tags" for beginning a web page and using fonts and colors.
  • Page Format - This helps you with HTML "tags" for organizing the look and layout of your web page.
  • Web Hyperlinks and Images - This helps you with HTML "tags" for adding the special effects you need.