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- Whats Inside: Should You Bother
Learning HTML to Build Webpages? [
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Learn HTML - Learning HTML to Build
Webpages
Should You Bother Learning HTML to Build
Webpages?
by: Leslie Pinczi
The most popular method to build webpages today is to use WYSIWYG
(What You See Is What You Get) software. Microsoft FrontPage
and Macromedia Dreamweaver are prime examples of WYSIWYG software.
Both programs allow you to create webpages as though you were
creating a document with your favourite word processing software
like Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. Its as simple as entering
paragraphs, headings and inserting clipart or images.
WYSIWYG software like those listed above are prefect for beginner
webpage builders who want webpages constructed quickly without
having to learn HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language).
All webpages are brought to life using HTML codes, regardless
what webpage building software is used. WYSIWYG programs simply
create the HTML codes as you construct a webpage (in the background,
without you knowing), so you don't need to understand them.
This is without a doubt the biggest advantage over any other
type of webpage building programs. It means that if you can
press keys on a keyboard, you have what is required to create
your very own webpage!
However, most WYSIWYG programs don't give you absolute, total
control over webpage design (ie, exactly the way you want the
page to look). There are design limitations.
For example, you may want to place headings, sub headings and
a navigation menu in a particular arrangement on the webpage,
but no matter how many times you try, the program won't permit
such placement or position them correctly. This is one big disadvantage
of WYSIWYG programs if you desire a custom look to all your
webpages.
Knowledge of HTML, however, can assist you to overcome such
design shortfalls in WYSIWYG programs. How is this possible?
Let me explain.
If you understand HTML codes, then you understand why webpages
appear the way they do in a web browser, such as Microsoft Internet
Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. This is powerful stuff because
the moment you change/modify HTML codes, the webpage will take
on a new design/appearance.
And don't forget that HTML codes are exact, giving you total
freedom over how everything appears on the webpage. Most WYSIWYG
programs allow you to view and modify the HTML codes. As you
can see, knowledge of HTML is beneficial.
The downside to HTML is the learning curve. It takes time to
understand how HTML works and why, but once you know, using
HTML to create totally custom designed webpages is easy. For
the beginner, HTML can be challenging, but don't despair because
there are HTML tutorials available that teach you basic and
advanced HTML in a matter of days!
So the question is - Should you bother learning HTML to build
webpages? The answer - yes and no.
It is obvious that WYSIWYG software speeds up production of
webpage development regardless of your knowledge on how to build
webpages. However, to further refine and tune your webpages
exactly to your liking, it is usually necessary to add and modify
HTML codes. So yes, HTML is worthwhile learning if you are unsatisfied
with the webpages produced by WYSIWYG software.
There is little point learning HTML if you are 100% satisfied
with the webpages made with WYSIWYG software.
One thing is certain. Using WYSIWYG software and learning HTML
codes is the answer for those of us who want webpages made exactly
to our requirements. Learning HTML is not as hard as you think.
To get started, simply search any major search engine like Google,
Yahoo or MSN using the search phrase "html tutorials",
its that easy!
About The Author
Les Pinczi is the creator of interactive HTML learning software
to assist you in learning how to create a web page in hours!
http://www.webpage-teacher.com. |
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