What this is
These pages will show you how to construct web pages using a text editor and plain HTML/XHTML code. (HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and XHTML stands for Extensible HTML.) While WYSIWYG editors are available to remove much of the tedium of web page construction, it is useful to understand the HTML product being created. This will allow you to fix poor constructions from editors, and appreciate clever constructions on other people's web pages.
The ten sections are described and linked below but on each page you will also find a jump list to the right to take you to any other page directly.
I recommend the book Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML by ELizabeth Freeman and Eric Freeman. The book does an excellent job of covering most of HTML and always explains why. It brought this semi-literate HTMLer right up to date on the current structure of HTML and XHTML and I believe it would work just as well for beginners. Further information can be found in the Resources link.
Ten steps
1. HTML and the basics of a web page.
The core elements of a web page, the html, head, and body tags. Creating and saving a web page with an editor. Trying out your page.
2. Styles and stylesheet.
Controlling the page design with fonts and colors. Internal and external stylesheets. CSS.
3. Classes
Fine tuning style by defining classes.
4. Margins, borders, padding.
Refinements on the basic block structure. Adding indenting, more space between blocks, borders.
5. Adding images.
Just what it says. How to display pictures on your web page.
6. Links to other pages.
Connecting from your web page to other web pages on your site and web pages out in the world.
7. Lists
A useful structure for presenting information.
8. Tables
An even more useful structure for information.
9. Testing for compliance
Easing the life of the browser by making certain your web page meets some standards.
10. div, span, and layout
More control and flexibility in the layout of blocks on your page.
