To avoid boring those people that have absolutely no interest in what goes on "behind the scenes" of a website, now I have this section specifically devoted to those people who are interested. Especially people who are just beginning to learn html.

First, if you really are a total beginner, I suggest you start by going to some simple web page (i.e., not one with lots of fancy graphics and layout) and then view the source code. html is relatively easy to learn, because "markup" (which is what the "m" stands for) basically means putting bookends around different pieces of the page. If I want text to be italic, I put little bookends before and after and then everything between is italic when you see it in the browser. html = hypertext markup language. It's a language for formatting, not programming. And anyone who can read can make a web page.

There is almost always an easy way and a hard way to do something. For making a website, the easiest way is to get a free account through geocities or angelfire (do they still exist?) and use the simple, web-based method of uploading files. They may even have tools to help you write web pages. But what they don't tell you is that sites made that way, the easiest way, are often very ugly and not compatible with all browsers. Take the time to visit W3.org, the standards organization that decides what people ought to do when it comes to the World Wide Web. Another good site is W3 Schools, which has lots of good tutorials to get your feet wet. Read about html, css, and if you're daring, xml and xsl.

More coming soon. Stay tuned.