HTML Tips, Do's & Don't

The 10 HTML Commandments

  1. Keep it under 50k, not everyone has a superfast modem!

  2. Don't use frames unless absolutely necessary

  3. If you have a graphical menu, also use a text menu

  4. View it on as many different browsers, monitors, and computers as you can

  5. Avoid Java

  6. Keep a table of contents page

  7. Place your email and/or link to homepage on every page

  8. Fads are fine, but make it so everyone can enjoy it

  9. If it has adult content, put up a warning page before they enter

  10. Use colors that will register should the person want to print one of your pages

Explanation, Justification & Allowances for these rules

1)  30-50k is a good size to keep so that slow browsers will not wait for a long time.  Not all surfers have fast modems, Netscape or MS Explorer -- many still rely on online services, which are easy to navigate through, but not the fastest.

2)  Frames do not allow the browser to make bookmarks and are usually worthless.  Graphical menus, banners and other creative uses for these easily take place of frames.  Frames usually take up more room than they are worth, and having an extra frame just for the title logo is also sensless, since once it loads, it is automatically there when you go to the next page.

3)  Sometimes graphics do not always load, especially if there are a lot of them, or one very big one.  Some surfers only like text, and turn the graphics off.  So if you do have a graphical menu or image map, also be sure to include a plain text menu for two reasons: a. in case the graphic menu does not load b. if they miss it on the graphic menu, they will see it on the plain text menu.  This is also helpful if you want search engine 'spiders' to find your site, they rely on plain text.

4)  I could never understand why when I make a font 12 points on a PC, that it comes out to be 7 on a Mac.  A standard font should be universal, but they aren't.  When you view your page, view it as many places as you can.  For example, I primarily use a PC, so I view it on Netscape, then MS Explorer, then on AOL (America Online) -- it WILL look different on all three... but checking the consistancy is important so that it looks good to all viewers/browsers.  When I get time, I then head over to my friend's place to check it out on a Mac too.  And yes, the fonts are smaller, and though I use the standard colors most of the time, red lettering on a black background is hard to read.  I am working on it :)

5) Java, unfortunately, has really little applications.  While it does provide some helpful solutions, most abuse it for a scrolling marquis across the bottom of their screen with the redundant 'welcome to my homepage'.  It takes away from the navigational status and causes errors more often than uniqueness.

6) Keep a page of contents to EVERY page at your site -- if not for the surfer, for yourself as an accounting.  This will make it easier to keep track of the pages you have created, updated and is really useful for everyone, both the site builder, and the surfer.

7) Place a link to your homepage and/or email address on EVERY one of your pages.  Search engines are wonderful, but have a habit of bringing surfers in through the 'back door'.  Make it easy for people to get in touch with you.  Quite often I have to surf through many pages (and in turn lose patience) before I find the person I am trying to contact.  This also lets the surfer know the designer of that page -- so put it in, its just one short line!

8) While fads such as java, frames, animated gifs, etc are fun and enhance your page, do not use so many of them that it is distracting and/or prevents people on AOL from viewing it.  Love or hate the online services, they are a very significant audience when it comes to web traffic.  Animated gifs are fun, and viewable on most browsers, but still not AOL, but its ok... because most of the time AOL will show one frame of the gif.

9)  Regulating content on the web is like trying to regulate noise in New York City -- you can nail the biggies, but its nearly impossible.  So Playboy, Penthouse, Playgirl, etc have done their part by putting up warning signs, using age verification servers, etc.  But the smaller 'artists' who admire beauty of a naked body and want to share it, or who have a passionate story or erotica to share should put up a warning/disclaimer page before they enter where that 'adult' content actually is.  On that warning/disclaimer page, you should also put a link AWAY from your site and to a search engine or one of the many popular sites that helps parents regulate what their children see like Cyber Nanny or Surf Watch.

10) Never use white as a font color, or any other color that will not print out well (light yellows, greys, etc).  Sometimes people are at a library, or work and wish to print a page and take it with them to read later.  Backgrounds do not print on browsers, so if your background is black and you use a white font, when someone goes to print it, it will not be there.  Use a light aqua, red, green, or something easy on the eyes that will print out on white paper.  

Those are my opinions in brief on these matters.  I have made over 1,000 pages on various websites over the last 3 years, so I feel qualified to impart my opinions on those who wish to be more responsible in HTML design.  But, don't take my word for it... get a second and third opinion from those below:

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