Web Page accessory tutorials
This is the page for things I don't deal with except to cut and paste. Except graphics, I'm a bit better at that, I can edit too. The links are either ones I've found helpful, or in the case of the 'advanced links', ones that have been recommended to me.
Audio
I surf with sound off. Or with a CD playing on my computer. Music is such a matter of individual taste that I very rarely want to hear a sound file. I much prefer to have the choice of clicking to hear it or not. However, for those who disagree, here are some links to teach you how to really annoy me!
- Adding Music/Sounds to Your Page
- A good basic explanation of the link and embed methods, though I disagree with him where he says "do it anyway" about automatic sound loading.
- Embed
- another good explanation, a bit more advanced.
Graphics
Graphics are wonderful, but do be careful how you use them! I'm not a graphic artist, but I've found a few helpful sites for beginners, and I'll be adding some links to programs real soon now.
- Tutorial1
Tutorial2 - Two different good step-by-step tutorials on various graphics techniques using Paint Shop Pro and other shareware programs. Can be translated to more expensive programs - the basic techniques are similar.
- True Colors
- A very nice chart of the colours that are "safe" to use
- Imagemap Help Page
- I don't use imagemaps, since anyone with graphics off cannot see them. But if you must, this is a good reference.
Graphic Programs
I'm letting the graphics programs have graphic links - it seemed appropriate.
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Meta
Creations - I do not actually own any of their programs, but I have used (played with) several of them on computers of friends who do. I've liked every one I've tried. I am in love with 'Bryce' and would buy it if I had a site that did anything 3 dimensional. If I had, I would probably never get any web pages done, so it may be better that I don't (the first time I tried Bryce, a friend sat me down, said 'you'll like it', and tapped me on the shoulder 4 hours later and requested his computer back). Meta Creations are also now owners of the famous (infamous?) KPT plugins (Kai's Power Tools), which work with almost any photo program that takes plugins, and are a wonderful set of tools.
Paint
Shop Pro- Absolutely the most popular photo-editing and paint program on and for the web. The link is to Jasc's download site, you can get an evaluation copy good for thirty days there. They also have several other good graphics programs. I know very few graphic-oriented people who do not have Paint Shop Pro.
Virtual Reality
- Can you imagine... Watching a sunset on Mars, strolling along the perfect tropical beach, going to a Halloween party where the ghosts talk back (and not very politely), building your own dream house (or even planet)? I can. I've been there, done that. And I'm not sure I want to go back, I have some serious reservations about VR. Nonetheless, I think that is where the internet is headed. It takes a huge amount of bandwidth, so probably not tomorrow, but maybe the day after. Have you read "Snow Crash?", if you haven't, try it. I resisted it for a long time, because it was considered "cyberpunk", it is the definitive novel on virtual reality.(other authors' objections hereby ignored, I've read you too). The problem with virtual reality is that it is both too fantastic, and too real. That makes it almost impossibly addictive (which is why I have reservations). It is one of the most entertaining things to play with on the internet. Pages are in process, this may be a whole sub-site in itself, if I can come back to the real world after researching it again.
Mega Sites
These are sites I've found generally useful for a multitude of things - like this site except much more extensive. In fact they may be a bit overwhelming! There is a fair amount of graphic "click-here" type advertising on most of them, but they are worth browsing around.
- Web developer's Virtual Library
- Probably the best resource site on the net, with tutorials on almost everything you would ever want to know, and more. Don't drop by unless you have a whole day (or three) to browse!
- Big Nose Bird
- An odd name, but a good site, with tutorials, scripts, fonts, and many other things to make your web site a better place. They do have an explanation of the site name at the bottom of the page, read it if you'd like a chuckle.
- Webreference library
- Lots of useful stuff. Articles, hints and tips, tutorials - almost everything a web site designer could need.
- WWW Resource Center
- Another multi-resource area. Has some VRML as well as HTML, CGI, CCS, and so forth.