Beginning Notes on HTML production

Most HTML tags can be placed anywhere, including within ('nested in') other tags. This means that you can make a single word within a paragraph of text a hyperlink by placing <a href="...."> before the word and </a> after the word. This is appropriate when you want to provide more explanation about something, but do not want to include it in the main flow of ideas. You can also use a picture for a link: <a href="..."> <img width=40 height=40 src="....">... </a> This takes an image file and fixes the size at 40 pixels by 40 pixels. You will need to experiment to get the effect you desire. You can refer to the same file somewhere else with other width and height parameters or by not including these parameters, get the image at full size. The repeated use of certain images and the consistent size of images can give your document a professional look and also guide the reader through the material.
You can establish distinct points within an HTML file for linking. If somewhere in a file named test.htm, you place <a name="hrothgar"> ....... </a> then from within the same file, you can have a link <a href="#hrothgar"> ..... </a> and from another file, you can have the link <a href="test.htm#hrothgar"> .... </a> Do not use this feature to make your presentation one big file. Divide your work into files as many files as your organization of the content indicates.
Do sign your work and, if appropriate, use a mailto tag so that readers can send you e-mail: <a href="mailto:meyer@pacevm.dac.pace.edu"> Dr. Jeanine Meyer </a> For this to actually work requires setting the mail preferences under options in Netscape (or something similar in other browsers). This is NOT setup in the Academic Computing computers.
HTML / hypertext is a different medium than straight text. The best way, that is, most effective method for communication with your audience, may be different. For example, parenthetical comments or footnotes may be replaced by hyperlinks.
Continuing the same point as above, recognizing the work of others is still necessary. However, you may do it in different ways, perhaps even multiple ways. You can construct one file, linked to from one or more places, that is the bibliography. This would include standard and on-line sources (because to do an adequate job, you probably needed to use a variety of sources and of both kinds!). People are experimenting with different formats for citations to Web sites, but we do not have to wait for the official word. What makes sense? Your reader would need to see the owner/author of the site (person and/or organization), the actual URL (this is the thing starting with http:// ...) and the date or dates on which you accessed the information. In addition to the bibliography page, it may be appropriate (even required by the assignment) to include links to other sites from within the document. It is generally a good practice to give some indication that this is indeed a link to someone else's work and not part of your presentation.
Legibility is important. Review choices for background, text color, text size, etc.
You can use a word processing program such as Word by itself or in conjunction with a special editor such as HTML Assistant Pro, using cut-and-paste. Spell-check and grammar check are useful functions. You can always use the IGNORE key.