Learning Web Design

The Basics

These are the learning/reference documents we've found and use constantly. We've frankly put them here for our use - and to give us a place to send people when they ask us and we just can't remember the URL. :)

Everyone should read these.

• To learn, read the W3C Tutorials, in particular, Getting started with HTML.
• Code your data (site's content) in HTML, then use CSS to lay it out. Read the W3C Guidelines for authoring.
• Use HTML 4.01 Transitional because many many people out there are using old computers. If w3c comes up with a recommendation in 1999, you need to allow for a couple years for browsers to use it, and a couple more for people to get those browsers. The HTML 4.01 Transitional standard supports old browsers but also allows for proper coding and CSS usage.
• Check your code with the w3c Validator service. If you coded properly, it works on your browser, and passes the validator, it should work anywhere...
• Remember the basics from our tips page: Be standard (no flash/javascript unless necessary), don't force the browser (it's not a piece of paper), and be careful with CGI.