Creating a Basic Webpage Using Netscape Composer

For this assignment, you will practice creating an individual webpage using Netscape Composer.

• To learn the basics of webpage design, such as basic layouts and elements
• To learn to use a simple webpage design program, Netscape Composer
• To create and post a simple webpage, in preparation for posting a group Issues page or

Please note that this assignment will be graded on successful completion of the following required elements, rather than page layout or design. In other words, please use this assignment to learn how to use a web design program. You may configure these elements as you see fit. As a minimum, this assignment requires that you create and post a webpage that includes the following elements:

• Main webpage features
• Header information--identifies the page, but does not display in the browser
• Body information--displays in the browser
• A signature--displays in the browser
• Design elements
• A background color or graphic
• A graphic
• Navigational aids
• A link to another website (e.g., the NKU website is located at http://www.nku.edu/index.html)
• An e-mail link

1.  Familiarize yourself with the program.

• Click "Start," then "Internet Tools," then "Netscape Composer." This will bring up the desktop environment. Anything you type on the screen will be visible when the webpage is posted to the Internet.
• Note the items in the main menu and on the toolbars to get an idea of the program's features.

• Create the Header
• From the main toolbar, choose "Format," then "Page Colors and Properties."
• Click the tab labeled "General."
• In the "Title" field, enter a title for your page (e.g., "John Smith's Webpage"). Note that this title will be displayed at the top of the screen when your webpage is posted to the internet. Note also that this "Title" will not display on the page itself.
• In the "Author" field, enter your name.
• In the "Description" field, describe the purpose of your page (e.g., Homepage)
• Under "Keywords," you would list any words that describe your page. Separate words and phrases with commas. Note: Some search engines search on the "Keywords" field.
• Click "OK." Your Header is complete.
• Create the Body
• Create a heading:: On the "Format" menu, choose "Heading," then choose "1." If you wish to change to a different font than the default font (i.e., "Variable Width"), click on the Font Style arrow, and select the font you like. Note that Heading 1 will automatically choose a font size (probably 20 point). Note that you can also change the font size, color, weight, and style. Press "Enter."
• Create some content: Choose other heading styles or the style "Normal," and type some text to explain what your page is about.
• Add a link to another website: Use one of the following procedures
• First procedure
• Position the cursor where you want to link to appear.
• Click "Insert," then "Link" OR click the picture of the link on the toolbar.
• Enter the text you want to display (e.g., "Northern Kentucky University")
• Enter the destination URL (e.g., http://www.nku.edu/index.html)
• Click "Apply," then "OK."
• Second procedure
• Position the cursor where you want the link to appear.
• Type the text you want to display (e.g., "Northern Kentucky University")
• Highlight the text.
• Click "Insert," then "Link" OR click the picture of the link on the toolbar.
• Enter the destination URL (e.g., http://www.nku.edu/index.html)
• Click "Apply," then "OK."
• Add an e-mail link
• Use the same procedure as for a link to another website, but instead of entering a "destination URL," enter the following as one word:
• mailto:your e-mail address
• Click "Apply," then "OK."
• Create a Signature--Add a signature area that includes the following:
• The author (your name)
• The date the page was created or updated
• Contact information (NOTE: Avoid providing personal addresses and/or telephone numbers)
• Copyright & disclaimer (optional)
• Save your page to your disk.
• Click "File," "Save," and navigate to your A Drive.
• Type in a file name. Note: The webserver is picky about file names. Use the following strategies to avoid problems later:
• Use all lower case letters in your filenames
• Do not use any spaces in your filename. If you want to separate words, use a hyphen ("-") or an underline ("_").
• Make certain that the file "type" is "HTML"
• Click "Save"

• Use WS_FTP, available at http://www.nku.edu/~rkdrury/WS_FTP.html

• Open Netscapes Navigator or Internet Explorer
• Type in the following web address: http://studenthome.nku.edu/~yourusername/filename.html

• Use the procedures located at http://www.nku.edu/~rkdrury/ftp.html to add a background graphic and a graphic to your webpage.
• To work more on the page design, read the Yale Web Style Guide, chapter 4, which begins at http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/manual/pages/page_design.html