Introduction to Composer

Basic Web Page Elements


Preparing a Web Page

Composer Tool Bars

Creating Your Page

Publishing Your Page

Clip Art

Teaching Guide



 

Introduction to Composer
Step 1:  Basic Web Page Elements





A basic web page has four main elements:  hypertext markup language, text, graphics, and links.  You can view a description of each of these elements by a click on its title.

Hypertext Markup Language

  • Hypertext Markup Language is the code that browsers like Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer use to "read" a web page.  A web page is a Hypertext Markup Language document.
  • Netscape Composer translates your text, graphics and links into Hypertext Markup Language for you.
  • Hypertext Markup Language documents are saved with the file extensions .html or .htm.
  • When you save your web page in Composer, the .html extension will be automatically added.
  • Learning how to read and use Hypertext Markup Language is a good idea, but it is not necessary for the beginner.

 

Text

  • Text consists of headings, descriptions, directions, and information that you wish to include in your web page.
  • Text can be added to a web page by typing directly onto the open Composer page.
  • Text can also be added by copying and pasting a word processed document onto the Composer page.
  • As much as possible, keep text short and to the point.

 
 

Graphics

  • Web page graphics are image files (photographs, icons, pictures, cartoons, animations) that you can insert into your web page.
  • Graphic files are used as backgrounds, bullets, page dividers, signposts, illustrations, and sometimes, just for fun.
  • Web graphic files typically carry the file extension .gif or .jpg.
  • There are many "ready made" free graphics collections on the web.  You can save these graphics and insert them in your web page as needed.
  • Some graphics are copyrighted and cannot be used without permission.  Permission is usually easy to obtain with a short e-mail request to the designer.  An "image source" link should be placed under or next to a copyrighted image.
  • It is a good idea to create a section of links to the graphics collections that you use--even if they are free.
  • Warning! Graphics can take a long time to load and should be used sparingly.
  • Two useful directories for image collections are:
        Annabella's HTML Help: Links to Free Graphics
        About.com: Web Clip Art Guide
 
 
 

Links

  • Links (also called hypertext) are connectors.
  • Both text and graphics can be linked.
  • Links are usually used in three ways:
    • Links can connect different parts of one long web page.
            You can do this in Composer by creating "Targets."
    • Links can connect your web page to someone else's web page.
    • Links can connect different pages of the same web site.
    • A web site is simply a collection of web pages linked together.
 
 
The contents of the Web Institute Web Site, including the On-Line Curriculum, Web Tank, and Session Notes, are Copyright 1999-2000, Graham School of General Studies, University of Chicago. No one may print, copy, or otherwise reproduce these materials without the express written permission of the Director of Education Programs at the Graham School. All rights reserved.

The chapters from Curriculum Webs: A Practical Guide to Weaving the Web into Teaching and Learning are Copyright 1999-2000, Craig A. Cunningham and Marty Billingsley. No one may print, copy, or otherwise reproduce these materials without the express written permission of the authors. All rights reserved.