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To get started with "Simple Text" pages use existing documents.
- Open document in your preferred wordprocessor.
- Save file as a "Text File with line breaks", make sure file is saved with ".txt" extension.
- Move file to a working directory.
- Link to .txt file from an .htm page which is also in the same working directory.
- Alternatively, there are add-ons for wordprocessors which allows saving a file directly to the .htm format.
- WordPerfect 7.0 & new versions of Pagemaker have the .htm format save feature built-in to the program.
- You should also try some of the HTML Editors that are available on the WWW.
- When pages and links are operating correctly, contact Kari to activate your web directory.
Hypertext refers to linking from a word to more information about that word, such as a definition. As you click from word links to more text on the WWW you are using hypertext. Hypermedia refers to links that connect to images, sounds, video, etc.
To increase the visual impact of webpages, images are frequently used. Be sure to use your original images or obtain copyright release if you use existing images. If you find images on the WWW that pertain to your content, create a list of links to those sources and give the creators appropriate credit. See the Abdominal Sonography example.
Graphics software is used to manipulate and reduce the size of the image prior to moving the .gif or .jpg file to the web directory. Try to keep image size less than 50 KB. A popular technique (to minimize the slowing of page loading due to images) is to use small sample files (thumbnails) to provide general information about the image. Each thumbnail is linked to a larger, higher resolution copy of the same image. The user then chooses whether or not to use the detailed image. For examples, see the images at the top & bottom of my homepage.
These are examples of course pages which provide links to a broad range of course material. Some of the links include: syllabi, lecture notes, lecture slides, quiz and exam schedules, examples of old exams, study guides, lab assignments, diagrams, and related sites at other institutions.
Slideshows are sequenced image files. The following include simple to high-end commercial slideshow examples. For educational applications consider providing the user with control of advancing the slides. Add-on software is available off the WWW for some versions of presentation software, which allow conversion of a standard presentation into web-ready presentation document.
Animations are like little movies created from a series of individual images. They can run once or loop continuously. As with all images, the challenge is to create the desired effect while keeping the file size to a minimum. There are very good resources on the WWW about creating animations. Special software (some is available off the WWW) is needed to link the individual images into the animation.
Image maps allow the author to create "hotspots" on an image. These hotspots can be linked to other pages or another location on the same page. This could be a valuable tool for designing educational applications. Imagine anatomical diagrams with hotspots that link to more information about that structure! The hotspots can be rectangular, circular, or freeform.
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