Page Creators

These programs pretty much assume you know nothing about html.  It's very easy to create fairly decent pages without ever seeing any code.  It's as easy as creating a word processor document, very WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) The most obvious are those packaged with the popular browsers, Netscape Communicator's Composer and IE's Front Page Express.  I like Composer, but that's me.  Front Page Express lets you do a lot of cool things that are only visible to the IE browser.  Both programs are easy to figure out (intuitive) and help is available.  These easy-to-use programs are available for free.  If all you want to do is create an attractive page with links and images, maybe a table or two, you will be happily publishing in no time flat. If you've got money to spend, you might want to try a fancier editor. There are plenty out there, here are a couple: AceExpert HTML Editor - In addition to being an excellent HTML editor, AceExpert also greatly assists you with predefined Java applets and Javascripts. Designed for Windows 95/NT, AceExpert is at the cutting edge of technology. Simple and easy to use, AceExpert is the solution. Another choice is Claris Home Page.  You don't have to be an HTML programmer to construct web sites quickly and easily. Handy, easy-to-use Assistants step you through the entire process. Trial versions of both are available at their respective sites.  

HTML Editors

I suppose the above category of programs are html editors, but they don't feel that way, if you know what I mean.  You never have to see the code with them.  But without looking at the code, how can you cut and paste all the code that is out there begging to be pasted into your site? You can do this in the WYSIWYG editors,  but sometimes you really need to get to the code with nothing between you and it.  As I've said, those programs assume you know nothing about html, and may 'correct' your code, given the chance. To cut and paste pre made code into an existing page, all you really need is Word Pad, which is already on your 'puter.  You just have to change the extension to .htm when you save changes. I like to use Anchors Aweigh, a shareware editor.  It's as simple to use as Word Pad, and it has lots of helpful stuff built in, including commonly used tags.  The coolest thing about Anchors is that it will build a framed site for you, in a fill-in-the-blanks kind of way.  Takes all of the brain bending out of that!  

HTML Tutorials

So, now you've got a page started, and your looking at the code, and you just don't know what to do next?  Be not afraid, gentle page builder.  It's just text, it can't hurt you! My understanding of HTML is very elementary, and I wouldn't dare try to pass it on, for fear of confusing you further.  But there are those who know what they are talking about. A good place to start is Builder.com, where they have a simple HTML tutorial that assumes you know nothing about HTML and have no tools, other than - say Word Pad. Another option is Simon's WWW page - Simon's WWW page contains an HTML tutorial, and links to websites where you can get free things for your web pages. The site also contains a lot of funny and not-so-funny jokes. Then again, you might prefer The Web Design Resource - Tutorials on HTML, javascript, FTP, and other information for creating web pages. Also includes free graphics for web sites.