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Definitions
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is a relatively simple set of instructions (tags) and text used to describe how text, graphics, etc. are to be displayed. Tags describe such things as text formatting (bold, italic, ...), background colors, locations of pictures, etc. HTML files can be created using anything from a simple word processor (Windows Notepad, etc.) to a full-fledged Web Page Authoring program. The basic format of an HTML document is not complicated, and fully functional Web pages can be created quite quickly using only the simplest of tools. The links at the bottom of this section provide more information on HTML.
The simplicity of the HTML language is both a strength and a limitation. Documents that conform to the current HTML specification can be viewed on a wide variety of platforms (Microsoft Windows, IBM OS/2, Apple Macintosh, Unix, etc.) by a variety of Web Browsers (Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, NCSA Mosaic, Lynx, etc.). Screen resolution is not a significant issue since margins are controlled by the browser, not the HTML code. (To verify this, try changing the width of an open Browser Window. The code should wrap in different positions). Unfortunately, this lack of control means that it is difficult to specify a desired spacing.
One particularly troublesome feature is that HTML code IGNORES tabs, multiple spaces, and even paragraph marks (unless specifically entered). Since "White Space" is often used to increase readability of documents, this forces Web page authors to adopt a somewhat different way of looking at creating pages. For an example of this problem and a means of overcoming it, see the section below on Microsoft Word.
While it is not necessary to know HTML code to create Web pages, a basic knowlege is important for Web authors since this allows one to have a better understanding of the capabilities, stengths, and weaknesses of Web page designs.
Links to additional Information on HTML
Two convenient options currently exist on this campus for creating Web pages. The first uses an add-on to Microsoft Word, while the second uses Netscape Navigator Gold. In addition, I believe that we still have access to the "Web-in-a-Box" program, which was demonstrated on this campus last Fall.
If the information that you wish to place on a Web page is already in a common word processing format (Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, etc.), and you don't want to learn how to use a new program, the Internet Assistant add-on for Microsoft Word is perhaps the easiest way to create Web pages. This is a freely available program available from the Microsoft Word Web page on Microsoft's Web site.
To use this program, simple install the add-on and run Microsoft Word as you normally would. After the file you wish to put on the Web is loaded, use the Save As command to save the document in HTML format. If the file is converted correctly, the toolbar will change and you have the option of editting the HTML-formatted file to adjust the look of the document.
One of the most difficult features to get used to is the fact that pages formatted in Microsoft Word do NOT look the same once they are converted into HTML. The most important limitation that I have found is the fact that TABS and "multiple spaces" are not supported by HTML. They are simply converted into a single space. This can have dramatic (and often unpleasant) effects on the appearance of the final document. One of the best features of the Microsoft Add-on is the support for Tables. If you have a section of a document where the layout is important, use the tools in Microsoft Word to convert this section into a Table and adjust the layout. If this is done BEFORE conversion to HTML, the final result is usually much closer to the desired effect. As one would expect, many of the more advanced features of Word are also not supported (formulas, fields, headers & footers, etc.).
If you are starting the design of a Web page "from scratch", Netscape Navigator Gold provides all of the tools necessary to create fairly elaborate Web pages. This program also has the advantage of being installed on most machines on campus, which allows the possibility of creating Web pages written by the students in a class.
This is a relatively straightforward program to use. The advantage of a program such as this is the fact that you are able to see the effect of various changes immediately on screen. While you do not have the ability to edit the HTML code directly, this can always be done with the saved file.
The Spring 1997 semester was when I first began to experiment with using Web pages for my classes. While I am still struggling with what does and doesn't work, some of the ideas I have begun to implement (and some I am just now starting to think about) include the following.
Since creation of Web Pages is still a new area for this
campus, it is not clear exactly who is responsible for each
aspect of Web pages at Stark. Below is my completely
unofficial view of how I think responsibilities should be
assigned and the direction I think the University is heading in
this area. In addition, I am providing (with his permission) a
copy of an e-mail message sent by Rob Kairis
regarding the role of the Library Staff in creation of Web Pages.
The library staff currently has some software tools that are not generally available to faculty that facilitate creation of Web pages. It seems appropriate to utilize these resources to help in the final stages of Web page creation, and the Library Staff has indicated a willingness to do this. Note however that the content of these pages (i.e. - the rough draft) will be the responsibility of the individual faculty members.
Last modified February 27, 1997
Kent State University - Stark Campus
Department of Chemistry
This Page Written and Maintained by Dr. Clarke Earley