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Chapter 2
HTML and the Web

CONTENTS

How HTML Works with the Web

Tip Sheet

Six Cool Things You Can Do with HTML

Tip Sheet

HTML isn't the only way to present information on the Web, but
it's the glue that holds everything together. In addition to being
a markup language for displaying text, images, and multimedia,
HTML provides instructions to Web browsers in order to control
how documents are viewed and how they relate to each other. For
all its simplicity, HTML is a very powerful language.

In this chapter, we'll take a look at how HTML interacts with
the Web, and we'll explore some of the ways that it's being used
today on popular Web sites.

How HTML Works with the Web

Without HTML, the World Wide Web wouldn't exist. HTML allows the
individual elements on the Web to be brought together and presented
as a collection. Text, images, multimedia, and other files can
all be packaged together using HTML. This section explains the
basic principles behind the interaction between HTML and the World
Wide Web.

Tip Sheet

The speed of your Web browsing software largely depends on
the type of Internet connection you have. Although a modem connection
at 14.4Kbps is acceptable, you should consider upgrading your
hardware and contacting an Internet Service Provider who can supply
a faster connection. (See the Appendix for more information on
Internet Service Providers.)

Figure 2.1 :

You can always view the HTML source code for a particular
page through your browser. Once you've mastered the basics of
HTML, this is a great way to learn how other authors put together
their HTML documents. To view the source code of the current document
in Netscape, choose Document Source from the View menu.

Figure 2.2 :

The author of the Web page assembles all of the materials
necessary, including text, charts, images, and sounds.

Figure 2.3 :

All of the material for the Web page is linked together using
HTML. HTML codes control the appearance, layout, and flow of the
page. The amazing thing about HTML is that it is all done with
simple text codes that anyone can understand.

When someone connects to a Web server from his or her computer,
the HTML file is transferred from server to client. Because an
HTML file is simple text, this usually happens very quickly.

Figure 2.4 :

The Web browsing software (the client) interprets the layout
and markup commands specified in the HTML file and then displays
the text exactly as the HTML author intended.

Any images and charts on the page are retrieved as well. The
HTML file tells the Web browser what images to download and how
to display them on the page.

Six Cool Things You Can Do with HTML

There are many ways you can use HTML to publish content on the
World Wide Web. Using this book, you'll learn the techniques you
need to know to create timely, informative, and compelling HTML
documents.

As you read this book and explore the Web on your own, you'll
discover how the HTML pros created their Web pages. As you're
sure to discover, there are a lot of cool things you can do with
HTML. Here's just a small sample.

Tip Sheet

The best way to get ideas for your own Web pages is to explore
the work of other HTML authors. After reading this book, you'll
know how to interpret existing pages and borrow techniques from
other authors.
To keep an eye on the cutting edge, visit the Cool Site of
the Day page at http://cool.infi.net/.

You can create a personal home page and leave your mark on
the World Wide Web.

Figure 2.5 :

You can create a page for your company to advertise and promote
products and services.

Figure 2.6 :

You can build a catalog on the World Wide Web, complete with
product descriptions and photographs. You can even incorporate
fill-in order forms so that your customers can order products
from you on line.

Figure 2.7 :

You can create a searchable phone directory for your company
or organization.

Figure 2.8 :

You can teach people how to dissect a frog.

Figure 2.9 :

You can create a newsletter on the Web, with pictures and
sounds. Using some of the advanced HTML tricks explained in this
book, you can format the newsletter to give it a slick, professional
appearance.

Figure 2.10: