Netscape Navigator Gold^TM (Throughout the remainder of this series, referred to as NS) allows you to develop your Home Page through three built-in functions. 

1) Blank
2) From Template
3) From Wizard

We will be utilizing (1) - Numbers (2) and (3) are self-explanatory. I recommend you experiment with (2) and (3). Just follow the directions. Should you want a basic page without a lot of effort on your part, you can set up a Home Page in a small amount of time.

Let's begin!

The first step: !PLANNING!
Prior to beginning ANY Home Page, you must decide 1) The message of the page, 2) Your target audience, i.e., Pets, Rock and Roll, Computers, Business, etc.. 3) The layout (tip: Begin with a piece of notebook paper and list items of interest you wish to use to grab a readers attention.) Note: Do not utilize heavy graphics! The quickest method of turning off a surfer is to expect the surfer to wait while megabytes of graphics load. Say goodbye! Do not utilize black or other extremely dark backgrounds unless you select a text color (white) that is readable with that background. Always check your spelling prior to publishing your pages. Choose a background color before you begin. We will use white. I will show you how to choose another color later as well as choose text colors.

There are two methods of utilizing NS to develop Home Pages - 1) By double-clicking on the NS Icon without being connected to the Internet and 2) Logging on and selecting the NS Icon. Method 1) is recommended until you are familiar with the panel in the NS Editor.

Preliminary setup -

Upon start-up, the first page you normally see will be either your Service Provider or NS. Let's change the start-up page for the sake of this tutorial. First, a trip around the Netscape Panel:
1) The very top line on the panel will always tell you which page you are viewing and whether you are in the browser or editor mode. This line will be blue.
2) The second line will be:

Select Options. From the pull-down menu, select General Preferences, Select Appearance, Check the circle by placing your mouse pointer into the center of the circle and clicking your left mouse button after Browser Starts with: O Blank Page. Click OK. We will discuss these options at length later.

Select Options once again. From the pull-down menu, select Editor Preferences, select Appearance, verify under Document colors O Use custom colors and save in document is checked. Select OK. Select View, Select Reload. This will reload your page with the new values. We will discuss various link colors later.

Select File, New Document, Blank. On the very top of your browser, you will see the words - Netscape Editor - I would suggest saving your new file now. Select File, Save, and name your file (usually home.htm). Your provider should recommend the directory to save all files utilized in developing your Home Page. (I recommend saving your page every 5 minutes of so - Browsers do crash)

Prior to advancing this lesson, let's explore the remainder of the NS Panel. Place your mouse pointer over each button on rows 2, 3, and 4. As you place your mouse pointer over a button, highlighted text will appear announcing the function of the button. This article will utilize the following buttons:
A^-, A⁺, A, A, Font Color, Insert Table, Align Left, Center, Align Right. Become familiar with these buttons. I will explain uses of each as we proceed.

Let's begin with the generic heading - Welcome -
1)   Click on the A⁺ twice. The +0 will change to +2.
2)   Place your mouse cursor over the next to last button on the bottom row (Center) and click. This will center your first line of text.
3)   Type:  

4)   Press Enter - Click on A^- twice. The +2 will change to +0.
5)   Type:    

6)   Press Enter - Click on A⁺once. The +0 will change to +1.
7)   Type:  

8)   Press Enter.

9)   Experiment with the text size to satisfy your personal tastes.

In the next step (10), I am going to allow you to utilize tables. This step isn't normally taught at the beginning, however, I find keeping text readable by all monitors important. My method is unauthordox but it works for me.

10 ) On row 2, select the table button (next to last button). Under "New Table Properties", Number of rows - type 1. In the Number of Columns, place your mouse pointer to the left of the number showing, click your left mouse button, press the Delete button on your keyboard until the number disappears, then enter the number 3.
10a) Under Table alignment, click the circle immediately to the left of Center. Click Apply. You will see a table appear in the center of your page.
10b) Place your mouse pointer into the center table and click your left mouse button. You should see a flashing vertical bar.

10c) While the vertical bar is flashing, select Properties, then Table. A menu will appear with the CELL function displayed. Near the bottom of the menu, you will see Cell width. Place your mouse pointer in the block with the number 100 in it. Click your left mouse button and delete the number 100. type in the number 80. The % of window will remain unchanged.

10d) Next, place your mouse pointer into the left table and click as you did in step 10b. Follow step 10c) You will change Cell width to 10.

10e) Place your mouse pointer into the right table and change Cell width to 10. You now have a three column table that will span 100% of a monitor screen no matter what resolution the person viewing your page is set to. I have deliberately left the borders showing on the table surrounding this lesson so you will know how your finished table will appear to anyone viewing your Home Page.

You are now ready to enter text. Select the center table and press your left mouse button. You may now begin entering text. This lesson should allow you to place your Home Page on the Net. You can view your finished page by clicking on the Netscape Icon next to the Diskette above. To return to the Editor mode, click on the Edit button with the pencil. NOTE: Always save your work in the Editor mode.

In our next lesson, I will show you how to enter some neat graphics, horizontal bars, links to your favorite sites, utilize search engines so people can find your Home Page.

In future lessons, we will discuss my favorite program - Paint Shop Pro - and learn how to design some nice buttons, etc..

Good luck,

Should you have questions, Email LenLear Canine Designs

Return to     Return to Canine Designs  

Graphics by:  

For the most gorgeous graphics on the web - Rita
                                                        ann-s-thesia

The best Search Engine on the Internet: http://www.metafind.com/

Developed and Copyright © 1997-1998 -1999by Len Cooper (LenLear Canine Designs)