Creating a Character Web Page

[Gilgamar]

Well, I've begun thinking about making a web page for at least one of my characters. I'm curious what some recommendations that folks who have made successful web pages are.

I, like most folks, don't know much about HTML. Because of this I'm stuck either using some kind of Drag-and-Drop web page maker (similar to what GeoCities uses) or a step by step web page maker that allows you to input information and it then organizes it all.

Are there any other options that allow those with no HTML experience to create decent web pages?

Also, what are people's favorite things to see on a Threshold Character web page? I know Dal has posted what she likes. But what about other people?

Please, give any comments, suggestions, ideas or whatever.

[Rosuav]

First point: HTML is not difficult to learn.

Start with a basic skeleton with your general framework, and start tinkering - it's just plain text. Here's a barebones HTML file (please folks, don't flame me for not including content-type and whatnot - I did say barebones):

{HTML}
{HEAD}
{TITLE}Rosuav Esstu, Insanity Extraordinaire{/TITLE}
{/HEAD}
{BODY}
{P}This is where you would put the text of what you have to say about your character.

{P}Each P marker makes a new paragraph of text.

Blank lines don't mean anything, this is the same paragraph as the above line.
{P}
Some people like to put the P marker in between the paragraphs. It really doesn't matter mattermattermattermatter.
{/BODY}
{/HTML}

Note that since the forums software parses HTML, I've changed all the angle brackets into braces. It should be all <> and not {}.

What's between the TITLE and /TITLE tags becomes the document title - very important. Google for "html title" and you can find some pages explaining why it's important to set it well, and how to set it well.

In between BODY and /BODY is the main text. Start by just putting your text in, as paragraphs, with each paragraph preceded by a {P}. (There's other ways to conceptualize it; it's all the same really.)

Ahh but you want to format it, don't you! Well, then you add a few other tags. Start with basic ones like {B} and {U} for Bold and Underlined. Then google for "html primer" and start having fun! There's heaps you can do, but not a lot that you have to.

Hope that helps. If you have other questions post, or PM me.

[Pyrosama]

Originally posted by Gilgamar
Are there any other options that allow those with no HTML experience to create decent web pages?

The best option is to learn html. You can do it from scratch, or you can view the source of web pages that you find particularly pleasant. It's very simple to use.

Here's a place that I think is easy to follow and not so boring.

http://www.htmlgoodies.com/primers/basics.html

[Isaviel]

I enjoy seeing a list of friends and enemies.

I use geocities for mine and I am happy with the way it turned out even though it has those annoying ads. However, you can at least close the ads.

Isaviel's

[Lhuvian]

I second Pyrosama's recommendation of the HTML Goodies site. Anytime I have any HTML questions, that is the first place I look for answers. And really, HTML is easy to learn. I have made pages both ways, and like the freedom that doing my own HTML gives me. Although it really depends on what you want to do and how much work you want to put into it. For my personal family page, a photo page, I just use a template.

[kiania]

I used the book for html goodies to learn more, but I started by looking at Webmonkey

As for content...I'm a lover of wanting to know just 'why'. Why a character is like they are, and how certain things affect them. Doesn't have to be pages...just a few explanations is all I crave.

[Rosuav]

Originally posted by Isaviel
I enjoy seeing a list of friends and enemies.

I use geocities for mine and I am happy with the way it turned out even though it has those annoying ads. However, you can at least close the ads.

Isaviel's

Tip: This site breaks a LOT of rules about internet usability. Not all usability guides tell you, but this sort of site isn't governed by them. For instance, making an image the link to the main site, and not saying so anywhere, is really really bad practice - if you're making a corporate web site designed to encourage sales.

So, my advice to you is, start with whatever you can cope with, as you gain skill in HTML make it snazzier, and generally, go for your life in terms of making it 'pretty'. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

On the other hand, it's still worth checking how it looks in browsers other than your own.

[Nemene]

A great website for learning html or other web based things like Javascript is w3schools

I have to agree with everyone else that html's the best way to go. You can use programs like Dreamweaver or Front Page, though that'll cost you money.

[Gesslar]

it is -bad- practice to not close off paired tags.

P /P constitute a paired tag.

Just because something -works- does not mean you should do it.

you always open and close HTML, HEAD, BODY

it isn't REQUIRED, but you do it anyway. the closing tag is like punctuation. "This is the end of this segment."

[Gesslar]

Originally posted by Nemene
A great website for learning html or other web based things like Javascript is w3schools

I have to agree with everyone else that html's the best way to go. You can use programs like Dreamweaver or Front Page, though that'll cost you money.

Dreamweaver and Front Page create HTML. Maybe you mean learning HTML instead of relying on WYSIWYG editors?