BASIC HTML FOR BEGINNERS

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DIAmond Star Destination #3

BEGINNER'S BASIC HTML HELP PAGE!

PREFACE: These are just a few of the HTML TAGS you will need to know to get you started on setting up your Home Page with GeoCities. There are many more tags that can be used and other web sites that go into them with more detail. This is for the beginner...We've all been there! I learned more or less from scratch, and hopefully, this page will get you there a little easier....

*PRINT OUT THIS PAGE FOR EASY REFERENCE*

FIRST: Learn to use your View button at the top of your browser. I use a NETSCAPE browser, so yours may vary just a little bit. Click on 'View', then go down to 'Page Source' and click on it. It will bring up the screen that shows all the HTML tags used in creating the web page you are currently looking at. This will be a lot of help to you.

Here we go!...

WHAT ARE HTML TAGS?

HTML TAGS are codes you insert to instruct how your typed page will look. Basically, there are two kinds of tags--stand alone tags and paired tags. Stand alone tags don't have to have a close tag to end the tag's function. Paired tags do have to have a closing tag.

NOTE: WHEN ENTERING HTML CODES, OMIT THE SPACE AFTER THE BEGINNING < & BEFORE THE ENDING >

(It was the only way to get the codes to actually show up for you to see.)

These are the 8 'MUST HAVE' HTML TAGS in order to do your page and that will also allow you to choose your background color, text color, font, etc.

< HTML >: This has to be the very first thing on your page
< TITLE >: You need to type in a title to your page. This is what will show up at the top of your browser.
< /TITLE > : This closes off the TITLE tag
< HEAD >: This is the next tag to enter (it has something to do with your browser)
< /HEAD >: This closes off the HEAD tag
< BODY >: This is where you get creative and make your page.
< /BODY >: This closes the body of your page when finished.
< /HTML >: This is how you end your page. It is your very LAST entry!

***Did you notice? Use the / to close off your tags.

MORE HTML TAGS FOR CUSTOMIZING YOUR PAGE:

 : Puts in a forced line ending. It does not need a closing tag.
 Put this at the end of each paragraph or if you want
an extra line space before the next line of type. It does not need a closing tag.
: Makes typing bold
: Takes the bold off
: Types in italics
: Takes you out of italics
< CENTER >:
Centers your heading or text
< /CENTER >: You guessed it!...It removes the centering.
: Changes your text color. Most common color names are recognized. There are also color name codes you can use; however, this at least gets you started in being creative. I am going to make the next word YELLOW !
: You guessed it again -- the closing tag! Instead of using the closing tag, you can just change the name of your color.
: Changes the type style. Here is a different font style called Kaufmann: Pretty EASY isn't it! Just be sure to choose a font that is included in your own computer.

: Changes the size of your type. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc., with 1 being the smallest.

< BODY BGCOLOR="000000" >: Changes your background to black... Choose your own color!
< BODY BACKGROUND="name of image.gif" >: When you find an image of a background you want to use, put the image name between the quotes. Always add the extension (usually .gif or .jpg) after the image name.
< IMG SRC="URL of icon.gif" > or ("URL of icon.gif">: Lets you insert an ICON
< A HREF="name of your link.html" >: This will link you to another page you have created for your website. For example, I named my second page "setup.html". The name of your link must be typed EXACTLY the way you have it in your directory. Next type what want to click on to take you to that page. (If you would rather use an Icon for people to click on, just add < IMG SRC="name of icon.gif" > following the A HREF command. Don't forget the quote marks and Be sure to close off the link with < /A >.
< A HREF="name of url" > This will link you to another web site. For example: < A HREF="http://www.Geocities.com" > or < A HREF="http://www.dewa.com >. (Make sure you type in the whole http address).Then type in what you actually want people to click on or insert an icon to take you to that web site.
< A HREF="index.html" >. This is the tag to go back to your home page. Following this link, add your icon or type what you want others to click on. To insert your icon, type < IMG SRC="name of icon.gif" >
I followed the GeoCities instructions on setting up my Guestbook and my Counter. Go back to the MEMBERS page for guide you on this. You may also VIEW DOCUMENT SOURCE on my Home Page to see the html coding!
If this all sounds confusing, just take it ONE STEP at a time til you get the hang of it. It's REALLY pretty easy...and FUN, too...Especially when you see YOUR results!
The above HTML instructions will get you off to a good start with your first web page...for more advanced HTML coding an excellent source is HTML GOODIES . It has a good tutorial.
REMEMBER: Close off your page with the last two TAGS:
< /BODY >
< /HTML >

~~ G O O D L U C K ! ~~
Please sign my GUESTBOOK! Any Problems?...E-MAIL me at: DIAgrl2000@excite.com

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