Word processor or HTML editor?

Some authors use the word-processing capabilities of their specialized HTML editing software. Others, such as ourselves, prefer to compose their work on a general word processor and later insert the HTML tags and their attributes. Still others embed HTML tags as they compose.

We think the stepwise approach--compose, then mark up--is the better way. Word processors typically have more and better writing tools, such as an outliner, spell-checker, and thesaurus, so you can craft the document's flow and content well, disregarding for the moment its look. We find that once we've defined and written the document's content, it's much easier to make a second pass to judiciously and effectively add the HTML tags to format the text. Note, too, that, unless specially trained (if they can be), spell-checkers and thesauruses typically choke on HTML markup tags and their various parameters. You can spend what seems to be a lifetime clicking the ignore button on all those otherwise valid markup tags when syntax- or spell-checking an HTML document.

When and how you embed HTML tags into your document dictate the tools you need. Some word processors, such as WordPerfect or Microsoft Word, come with automated tools, and there are third-party ones, too, that automatically translate your word-processed documents into HTML. Don't expect miracles, though. Except for boilerplate documents, you probably will need to nurse those automated HTML documents to full health.

Another word of caution about HTML editors: Not all adhere to the HTML 2.0 standard, so examine their specifications before using, and certainly before purchasing, one. Moreover, some of the WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) HTML editors don't have up-to-date built-in browsers, so they may erroneously decode the HTML tags and give you misleading displays.

Browser software

Obviously, you should view your newly composed HTML documents and test their functionality before you release them for use by others. For serious HTML authors, particularly those looking to push their documents beyond the HTML standards, we recommend that you have several browser products, perhaps with versions running on different computers, just to be sure one's delightful display isn't another's nightmare.

The currently popular, and so most important, browsers are Netscape Navigator, Mosaic, and Internet Explorer. Sun's HotJava, although still in alpha testing state, is expected by some to have a bright future. Obtain free copies of the software via anonymous FTP from their respective servers (ftp.netscape.com, ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu, ftp.microsoft.com, and ftp.java.com), or contact your local computer software dealer for a commercial version (about $50).

Internet connection

We think you should have bona fide access to the Internet if you are really serious about learning and honing your HTML writing skills. Okay, it's not absolutely essential since you can compose and view HTML documents locally. And for some, a connection is perhaps not even possible or practical, but make the effort; there's sometimes no better way to learn than by example. HTML examples abound on the Internet, both good and bad, whose source HTML you can download and examine.

Moreover, an Internet connection is essential for development and testing if you include hypertext links to Internet services in your HTML documents. But, most of all, an Internet connection gives you access to a wealth of tips and ongoing updates to the language through special-interest newsgroups, as well as much of the essential and accessory software you can use to prepare HTML document collections.