Some Rules of the Road (or Wules of the Web)

Return to IOTA HomePage

1. When you open a web page into Composer with "Edit Page", immediately save it into your computer using "File">"Save Page as."
   If the file name is supposed to end in ".htm", delete the "l" in the ".html extension. (If you aren't sure, you can tell what it is supposed to be by looking at the address on Navigator.)
   [ Composer's default extension is ".html", and when using"Save Page as" it will automatically put that extension on files unless it is manually changed.] [See: How to Download Web Pages on Your Home Computer.]
   
   
2. Do not allow spaces in names of folders, images or files. If an image is called "Red Rose.gif" rename it as "redrose.gif". If you have inserted it with the wrong name into a web page, go back and do it over with the right name.
   
   
3. Do not change the names of the templates when you use them. There are links within the templates that refer to the original names and if you change the names the links won't work.
   
   
4. Keep the files you are using, both web pages and images, in the same folder. And, on the server they should also be together in one folder.
   
   
5. When you insert an image be sure to check "URL is relative to page location."
   
   
6. Do not "drag and drop" whole folders from your computer to the server in the WS_FTP program. Open the folder you are using and drag the files from it to the server.
   
   
7. Stick to the basics of appearance: consistent font, proper spacing, some decent pictures, (maybe) a background color. If you spend lots of time "making nice" you will fall behind and probably be disappointed with the results. Remember that the browser brings unpredictable changes to even the best web design, so your beautiful work may end of looking completely different from what you intended.
   
   
8. As you go along, periodically FTP your work to the server and check how your site works on the web. It is not enough to check how it is on your computer. Images, especially, sometimes seem fine when checked on your computer but disappear on the web. (If that happens, you probably violated either Rule 2 or Rule 4 or both). [You might want to look at "Sending Files to the Server" for some help.]

COMPUTERS SUCK, BUT YOU DON'T!

Top of page