Hello, I have practiced a lot of the basics of HTML and have made up several mock web pages on my XP w/IE6 and my 95 w/IE5. My question is where can I continue a tutorial on HTML. I have already been to pagetutor.com.

My goal is of course to host my own web page and I don't want any fancy graphics or silly cartoons in it. It will be more of a blog and free software downloads hybird.

What would my next step be. Javascript? PHP? MySQL? There is so much to learn that my "486 brain" can't upload all that at once.

Please help.

42.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

It all depends on what you will be doing with your site. But, without know ing more information, this is what I would suggest.

CSS or Stylesheets: Stylesheets allow you to create a site using all the same styles throughout without having to use font tags, background colors, & etc over and over again. When you want to change a particular element throughout the site (like the color of the hyper-links) you can make the change once and the whole site is changed.

JavaScript is usefull for implementing form validations, DHTML, and other types of interactive experiences.

PHP is a server-side scripting language. You can do some powerful programming with it. If you plan to do anything with a database (MySQL) you should learn this first. A database by itself does nothing. You need to have programmming in place (such as PHP) in order to access the database and make decisions basep upon input or data it receives.

Michael J

CSS sounds like what I need.

I'd like to start an old computer based site that deals with old OS's like Win3.x to 95, filled with pictures of various computers. Tips/tweaks that I have learned, rare or hard to find software DL's like Mozzilla Firebird 0.6.1 and rants/praises about older computers and/or software.

I'll also have a link so people can message me about broken links or comment on what they think of my site.

I may not have a brilliant first idea for a web site but I feel that I should contribute my knowledge back to the web community.

42.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Hi OldRelic;
I admire your idea of wanting to share some old time info. I'm a new user myself. I never used a computer until I was 43. I'm 47 now.

I learned some basic HTML a couple years ago thanks to James Greenwood. I used it to learn more. Then I made a site so I wouldn't have to keep repeating myself to my friends and family. It has served me well.

My point is HTML (and a little DHTML) can create a very nice site especially if you are more interested in content then style.
Copying and pasting format might be easier than learning new language if your intent is to share info. Others might disagree.

My site deals mainly with security and links.
Also a few rants, news, free programs, tips, etc etc etc.

And it all started with a single page.

My site is not public but I give it freely upon request to those I know. It is a simple site. Not like those of the true masters.

Use your computer knowledge and HTML skills to help everyone and don't worry about web page design. My opinion.

I thank you and everyone like you who takes the time and gives the effort to help us all.

Let us know if you want more HTML help links;
RandyL

I bought two tutorial books from pagetutor.com.
One was on HTML the other one covered javascript.
Both are very good resources. Plus. I bought and downloaded a tutorial on PHP. It came with alot of useful tips as well, as far as marketing your website.
PHP is very powerful and pretty easy to implement. As far as webhosting is concerned. I just jumped right into it and I have been really enjoying it. I've got hosting with www.hostforweb.com. They have good pricing and alot of preinstalled scripts. I recommend you get an FTP client as well for transfering all you files to the server once you get your pages built. I've been using WS_FTP Pro. It is a great tool, and very easy to use. When you load your pages up to the server. The main homepage that you want everyone to see needs to be named index.html. That is the first file name the srver will look for. The rest of the pages, you name them whatever you want.
I've just started learning CSS. So far I've just been reviewing tutorials I find on the web. Another good resource is http://webtips.dan.info/
Also this site here. www.computing.net/webdevel. Of course, you already knew that. Also. If you ever want to know how someone did something. You can always view the source code to gleem some insight.

Hope this helps.

Hi OldRelic,

you recently responded to my post about checking out my website, so I thought I'd repay the favor : )

I, too, am in my 40's and have only been on a pc for about 4 years. You saw my site... that was the product of my learning from online tutorials. The best one I've found to start out with is:
http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/index.shtml

and when you're ready to move onto something more advanced, go to:

http://webreference.com/html/tutorials/

Also, I don't know if this'll help, but... I've been using Dreamweaver and it's a great tool for learning. You can view the code and the design at the same time. I copy the source code from any website... paste it into a blank page, and play around with it. If you highlight a portion of the design, such as a hyperlink, a form or whatever... the code for that element gets highlighted too. So it gives me a chance to see exactly what makes everything work.

I know it costs $, but if you can try it out, you may find it worthwhile.

But of course, no software can beat good old fashioned "knowledge"... so read away my friend, read away!

SullyD

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want...

Thanks so much for everyones excellent responces. I am now seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

I bought my first computer when I was 33 and now I'm 36.

I'll start with learning CSS, then PHP, etc. I want to latter create a semi-profesional web page for my wife who is soon starting her own Trucking Logistics buisiness, it will most likely be styled very different then my own web page.

I have purchased (used) a cd-rom of MS FrontPage98 with original product key and the former owners username and password stickered on the back case. I have found FP98 to be very confusing....more confusing then HTML I find.

Thanks again to everyones great help and advice....that should keep me busy for awhile.

42.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Almost forgot to mention to Dave02 that yes I did think of viewing peoples source codes on pages :) I copy them to my notepad as txt and try using some of the codes on my mock pages to see what the effect would be.

42.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Hi, I recently started hosting my site. I use Apache on Win XP. All the info you need is here: http://httpd.apache.org/docs/windows.html

It is really fun to host your site. You feel in total control.

Thanks,
REMGU