HTML Start-up and understanding?, I'm a new kid on the block to Script. Options

[Bgomez1990]

So, I'm trying to get an understanding on how to read and speak web talk. I have a few books such as a wed site bible, and web design for dummies that are on the way. But the question is, how/what should I do to start and get into it. This is a new but enjoyable forte of mine. Please get back to me.

BG

[Darin McGrew]

Please see the FAQ entries Where can I learn about HTML? and Where can I learn about CSS?

[Bgomez1990]

Please see the FAQ entries Where can I learn about HTML? and Where can I learn about CSS?

Those are very useful links, much appreciated.

Cheers!

BG

[pandy]

You should start with HTML. CSS doesn't work on its own, so you need the HTML first.

When you learn HTML, try not to think about how things happen to look (headings are big and ugly and so on). CSS will take care of all that when you start using it. Learn what the different HTML elements stand for ("this is a heading", "this is a paragraph") and use them accordingly - again, CSS fixes the ugliness later.

Also, limit yourself to HTML Strict. It's a lot less to learn and the elements and attributes that are allowed in Transitional and not in Strict are mostly presentational and are deprecated and outdated anyway. We use CSS for that now. Familiarize yourself with the deprecated stuff, you need to know what it does and how it looks, but avoid using it.

Build boring test pages where you use the important elements of HTML, headings, paragraphs, lists, a table...never mind that the only font you will see is your browser's default. Write a page about your favourite recipe for apple pie or whatever makes you use all those elements. When you can do that, move on to CSS and make the pages look pretty.

In the HTML Reference there is a button that hides non-strict stuff. See for example the page for P (paragraph). In Transitional it can have the 'align' attribute. In Strict it can't. Less for you to learn.
http://htmlhelp.com/reference/html40/block/p.html
When the whole element is deprecated there is no button, but the first line of the description usually tells you, as with FONT. Look how much you don't have to learn there.
http://htmlhelp.com/reference/html40/special/font.html

I honestly believe this is the quickest and best way to learn. Avoid the fluff and get the basic HTML structure down pat first of all. You don't have to spend time learning the bad stuff you won't use later anyway, so no need to unlearn it either. It shouldn't need to take more than a few days before you can start to add a little CSS and make it more fun.

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand something.