[WEB4LIB] RE: Learning curve: HTML or WYSIWYG

[Ellen Andes]

Several years ago I went to a workshop on HTML (I had no experience at all
with Web pages) and I was really overwhelmed. (In retrospect I think the
workshop tried to cover too much in a short period of time). When I started
my current job someone showed me how to use Netscape Composer.  After using
that for a short while I wanted to know about HTML and taught myself enough
so that I can do some coding and can troubleshoot coding in FrontPage which
is what I now use.  So I think to some extent it may also depend on the
experience of the people you will be teaching.  Ellen

-----Original Message-----
From: Mariner, Vincent [mailto:vmariner at fgcu.edu]
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 12:21 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] RE: Learning curve: HTML or WYSIWYG


I second Raymond's suggestion.  

I teach our workshops using straight HTML, however, as part of our training
program, we provide vouchers for training at a computer training center and
the bulk of the vouchers have been used to take FrontPage classes.  I'm
guessing this is because FrontPage is loaded on the Gates machines.  

Does anyone know of a survey that covers what HTML editors are the most
widely used?

Cheers,
Vince  


-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle Rempel [mailto:mrempel at peacelibrarysystem.ab.ca]
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 12:09 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Learning curve: HTML or WYSIWYG


Raymond,

Great idea!  Don't exclude one or the other!  Are there any "free" WYSIWYGs 
that anyone could recommend?  Or any other HTML editors?  I know the one I 
prefer but if there are any that beginners would appreciate...

Michelle

At 09:56 AM 10/29/01, you wrote:
>On Mon, Oct 29, 2001 at 08:30:54AM -0800, Michelle Rempel remarked:
> > Morning!
> >
> > I'm likely going to be doing a day session with some of the librarians
in
> > our region on basic web design and HTML.  I'm a purist and prefer to
teach
> > HTML as I think that the difficulty level is less than trying to teach a
> > WYSIWYG.  Also, the librarians would be better equipped to sort out any
> > HTML problems later.  Finding a software product that they would all
want
> > to purchase and possibly arranging licensing is a concern as well.
> >
> > I've explained my point to my boss, but a more technologically savvy
> > librarian is asking about WYSIWYGs.  What opinions do you have?  From a
> > learning and training standpoint, what have you found to be best?  Would
a
> > WYSIWYG encourage librarians to create and update a website more than
> > HTML?  I should mention that I've done the HTML route before and found 
> that
> > most pick up on it quickly.
>
> >From a training/learning perspective, you are correct, without
>question (IMHO of course :)
>
>Set them up with Notepad and a web browser, and have them create
>a simple web page.  This will get the point across that HTML
>pages are nothing more than ASCII text with markup tags (and
>this is intentional).  At the end of the session, break out a
>sample WYSIWYG tool - by now they will have some idea of what
>such a tool actually does.  This can lead to productive
>questions/discussion about the relative merits of WYSIWYG vs.
>Code-based HTML Editors.  Mention HTML-Kit as a (free) example
>of the latter...  :)
>
>My $0.02,
>Raymond