The first program I ever used for web layout was Adobe
PageMaker, and it was hellish. I was trying to learn how to use
PhotoShop at the same time, and it seemed like neither of them
would do what they were supposed to do-I'd scan something, and
it would show up seven or eight times larger than I'd expected;
or I'd accidentally turn something green or black, or cut off a
huge chunk of my picture, or all of my text would be smashed up
against the top of the page. I don't remember being that
frustrated since learning how to talk for the first time.
Six or seven months later, the internet company I worked for
sent all of the editors to a introductory HTML class at Salt
Lake Community College. Like a lot of people, I was intimidated
by HTML, which is why I started out with a WYSIWYG editor.
Coding is definitely more time-consuming, but it's easier
(because it's logical) and is much more precise. I remember
wishing that I'd learned how to code before I'd started blindly
messing around with PageMaker, not only because PageMaker had
nearly given me a stress ulcer, but I'd wasted so much time
feeling around in the dark and feeling like an idiot. I had no
idea this whole thing was really so easy.
Not that I'm patient enough to code from scratch; no way. I use
Dreamweaver. The problem with Dreamweaver, of course (and lots
of other WYSIWYG programs) is they have their quirks. Anyone who
plans on maintaining a professional web page should get
themselves over to the library, or to their local community
college and take an HTML class (there are also some good
tutorials on the web, though they're probably less effective
than an actual human being who can help you as soon as you run
into trouble). With some sharp HTML skills, you'll not only be
able to troubleshoot your own web page problems, but you'll have
absolute control over your pages; you'll be able to create the
page you see in your head, instead of resigning yourself to the
page you happen to end up with after messing around on your
computer for hours and hours.
Dreamweaver and HomeSite together make a powerful web-building
toolbox (you can download a 30-day trial version of HomeSite at
www.allaire.com). Dreamweaver is a pretty easy program to use to
get your basic elements in place, but HomeSite allows you to
fine-tune your code, do a global "search and replace" to edit
your pages for consistency, as well as spell-check your text.
Anyone can put a page up on the web; if you're a master of HTML,
you'll be able to take full control of the look, feel and
functionality of your pages.
About the author:
Stefene Russell is a freelance writer living in Salt Lake City,
Utah. She has worked as a print journalist and as Senior Content
Producer for citysearch.com. She is currently Dr. Kevin Nunley's
in-house website expert, providing site analysis to
e-businesses. For a free website analysis, email her at
stefene@drnunley.com or for a detailed analysis, visit
http://www.fixmywebsite.com/analysis.htm
