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Wednesday 28 December 2011

HTML Tutorial(version 5.0):Part-1

This tutorial is designed to teach you some the basics of HyperText Markup Language (HTML),with an emphasis on transforming a word-processing document into a simple Web page.
You can get the most recent version of this tutorial from the CAT website:
http://cat.xula.edu/tutorials/
Contents
This tutorial will guide you through the following steps:
  • Retrieving the necessary materials from the Web
  • Copying text from a word-processing document and pasting it into an HTML template 
  • Marking block elements and validating your work
  • Marking inline elements and validating your work
  • Using Netscape Composer
  • Using Word's "Save as HTML" feature.
  • Uploading your files to the Web server
Prerequisites:
This tutorial assumes a level of competency with basic computing tasks and concepts. You should
understand the following terms:
  • Files
  • Folders
  • File hierarchy
  • The desktop
  • The Finder (Mac only)
Conventions
Actions that you need to perform are bulleted, like this:
  • Open the file.
Menu commands look like this: File > Open. This means choose the Open option from the File menu. Sometimes, for the sake of brevity, common menu items may be referred to simply as Save or Open. The same style is used for other user interface elements, such as key you're supposed to press and buttons you're supposed to click, i.e. "Click the OK button."
HTML code and URLs look like this:
<BODY BGCOLOR="white">
Names of files and folders, as well as text that you are supposed to type, are rendered in italics.
Before You Begin:
  • Look over the "Hypertext Markup Procedure" and "30-Odd Safe HTML Elements" quick reference sheets. Re-examine the handouts on "Anatomy of a Web Page" and the"Container Model."
  • Read the following information about filename extensions
About File name Extensions
  • Some operating systems use filename extensions to identify different types of files. For example, a file named document.htm or document.html is marked as a Web page. A file named document.gif is marked as a particular type of image file, while document.jpg indicates an image file of another format. A Microsoft Word document might be named document.doc, whereas a plain text file would most likely be named something like document.txt.Web servers, which may run on a number of different operating systems, use file name extensions to identify file types.
    The Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) uses filename extensions. Windows uses them too, since it is built "on top of" MS-DOS. Windows is often configured to hide filename extensions, so that you may no t be aware of them. (But see below for the remedy.)
    The Mac OS doesn't use filename extensions. A very different system is employed to identify different file types, so that a file named document could be almost anything -- text, graphics, audio, video, whatever. Mac users who want to publish on the Web or share files with Windows users need to be aware of filename extensions and start using them correctly.
    Examples of Common File name Extension Problems
    • You find a file named document.html.txt. Which is it — plain text or hypertext?
    • You create a web page that is supposed to display an image. The image file is named picture.jpg but you mistakenly set the SRC attribute of the IMG tag to point to picture.gif. The image does not appear.
    • You're a Windows user. A Mac user sends you e-mail with a Word document attached. It is named Final Report. You can't open it. Because Final Report has no filename extension, the Windows operating system can't identify it as a Word file. If the Mac user had named the file Final Report.doc, this would not have occurred. Also note that it's good practice to avoid spaces and case variations in filenames if you plan to share them over the Web, so an even better name would be final_report.doc, final-report.doc or finalreport.doc.
    Windows Only: Configure Your System:
    Follow these instructions to make Windows display filename extensions at all times. This is highly recommended for aspiring Web authors, because it reduces opportunities for confusion.
    • WinXP: From the Start menu, choose Control Panel, then double-click on Folder Options. (In older versions of Windows, Open any folder or drive. From the View menu, choose Options or Folder Options.)
    • A dialog box should appear. Click the View tab.
    • Look for an option that says "Hide file extensions for known file types" or "Hide MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are registered." Make sure this item is not checked.
    • Click the button marked OK.
     Continue in next Part-------->

How to Update Your BIOS

Your computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the first software your PC loads. It sets the stage for your operating system, so to speak, by finding all your PC's various hardware components and letting the operating system know it can use them.
As with any software, your computer or motherboard manufacturer periodically updates the BIOS to fix bugs, add compatibility with new devices, improve caching functions, and make several other hardware tweaks that can speed up your boot time and fix annoying issues. These updates are available at the manufacturer's site. But if you make a mistake in the update process, you risk rendering your PC unbootable. Here's how to make sure your BIOS update goes without a hitch.
  • Identify your current BIOS version: The easiest way to find your BIOS version is to open up the System Information app in Windows--just type msinfo32 into the search bar (for Windows 7/Vista) or the Run box (XP), and click System Summary; your BIOS version should now show up on the right under your processor speed. Record your version number (and the date that appears afterwards, if applicable).check your BIOS version, without restarting your PC, by using msinfo32.exe (as described in the text)
  • Check your PC/motherboard manufacturer's Website for BIOS updates: Those of you who assembled your PC yourself will need to look for BIOS updates from your motherboard manufacturer's Website. If you don't remember your motherboard's model number, you can look it up without opening up the case by downloading and running CPU-Z and clicking on the Mainboard tab. Most PC manufacturers handle BIOS updates based on your specific line and model, so head over to your manufacturer's support page and check its listings for your PC, because if you download and install a BIOS intended for a different model, your PC probably won't work (although most BIOS updaters are smart enough to notice if you try to install them on the wrong hardware). If there is a BIOS update file available, grab it--along with any documentation it comes with, because often warnings and specific instructions are contained in the Read Me docs. 
  • Read the included documentation:  
  • The BIOS updater's Read Me file will most likely include a list of fixes and new functions, often to support new hardware. Updating the BIOS for my Lenovo Thinkpad T500, for example, added support for a new AC adapter and a 1600-by-900-pixel screen resolution on an external monitor; the update also fixed fan speed and Webcam issues that could not have been handled by updating Windows or my specific device driver software.
    More important, however, were these notes in the Read Me file: If I was running Vista on my T500, I'd need to make sure that I had a certain patch installed; and if my T500 had a certain graphics card, I would need to update its drivers above a certain version before updating my BIOS. Read and reread your docs, or you might make your PC unable to boot without even knowing why. 
  • Update your BIOS
    Most newer PCs have a fairly easy BIOS update procedure: Just download the .exe file from your PC manufacturer's Website, quit all open programs, run the .exe, and let it handle the patch; then reboot. If your PC suddenly shuts down in the middle of the BIOS update, you won't be able to boot up, so make sure you're not running off a laptop battery. Ideally, you're plugged into an uninterrupted power supply (UPS), especially if you're in an area prone to blackouts.
    Older PCs, however, might require you to set up your own bootable disk to update the BIOS yourself. You might still be able to download an app that configures a USB thumb drive, blank CD/DVD, or even a floppy disk so that you can boot off of it to update the BIOS, or an ISO image file that can be used in your disc-burning app of choice (if you don't have such an app, try ISO Recorder for Windows XP or the version for Windows 7/Vista) to create a BIOS update CD.
    Other systems will have you copy a few files to your bootable disk, restart, and open up the BIOS during start up (typically by pressing a specified key for setup options), and change the boot order so your system looks for a bootable USB drive or CD before loading the OS from your hard drive.