Home Page Assignment

Introduction

During this semester you will create a homepage (if you don't already have one) or update the one you already have. Throughout the semester, instruction on updating your homepage's appearance will be provided.

The Web page you design, create, and display on the World Wide Web can be seen in more than 72 countries and by millions of people. When you think of the visibility of your Web page and its potential impact on you, it becomes obvious to put considerable thought into your Web page.

The wording of your home page, the graphics you decide to use should reflect the anticipated audience and your style. However, no matter what's your style, you should make every effort to keep it simple and readable.

One way to make it readable is include ample white space - space that doesn't contain pictures or text. A full page of unbroken text is difficult to read. Don't create pages with interminable pictures. Frame them and leave plenty of white space around them.

Also, you want t make a good (and fast) first impression. You can accomplish this with a well thought-out theme and color scheme, and by including fast-loading graphics.

The next decision in planning a Web site is where to host your site. For you as a Ball State student this is simple. Ball State will be the host for your Web site. Later, when you are no longer a student, you can purchase your own computer to act as the server or rent space on another computer, either from your Internet access provider or from another company that specializes in renting out space for Web sites.

Your assignment, will be to create (update) a home page. It will be worth 50 points.

The breakdown of points:

  • text - spell checked and interesting - 4 points
  • headings - the title and and at least some subheadings - 4 points
  • Lists - the index to other pages - 6 points
    Here is an example of of these:
  • My Hobbies
  • Resume
  • Favorite Links
  • divider lines, called horizontal rules 4 points
  • Background changed - 6 points
  • e-mail return - 4 points
  • last update 2 point
  • hypertext link - 10 points
  • graphics - 10 points (your CS 104 picture, or your bunch of flowers)
  • publishing - extra credit 10 points

    • Developing Your Home Page

    Information on a Web site is stored on "pages". The home page is the main page or the first screen you see when you access a Web site, but there are usually other pages or screens attached to this page. The terms Web site and home page tend to be used interchangeably.

    Next in constructing a Web site, you need some tools to do the job. First you will need a computer system on which you'll develop your Web site. Note that Web development doesn't really require a high-end machine -- you really only need a text editor for writing HTML. Now if you will be creating your own graphics or producing moving pictures, then you may need some "heavier" equipment.

    My first suggestion is view some professional sites. Go to http://www.projectcool.com. This is a network of Web sites to provide guidance and inspiration in creating web pages.

    During the semester we will try to introduce you to tools that you can use to create Web pages.

  • During Lab 4 you used the word processing tool Microsoft Word 2000. You can save your Word doc as HTML doc. Enter your text and then under File select SAVE as HTML. Or Microsoft has provided templates or a Web Page Wizard for you. Get into Word. Under File select New. In the Tab Section, Web Page, you will see templates of other pages and the Web Page Wizard. Try any of these for your page. It's that simple. Now you have first draft of of a web page.
  • Incorporated into Browsers are HTML editors. For example, Netscape's Composer or Microsoft's Front Page Express can be used to to edit a template from either Netscape's/Microsoft's site. If you feel comfortable with Word, you will feel very comfortable with these.
  • Later when preparing a site to host your Web pages, we can use the tool Webready. Webready was designed by UCS to"ready" your VAX account for hosting a homepage.
    • PART 1

    At the beginning of Lab 8, bring up your homepage (from your diskette or zip disk) and show it to your lab instructor for your lecture assignment.

    This can be the homepage that was either created through Word, Composer, Front Page, or through any editor you wish. It must be customized with your data. (It cannot be a template from Word.) The homepage you display also can be your current homepage. Again, the web page should be customized to your life and have on it at least one hyperlink.


    PART 2
    1. During Lab 10 with worked with graphics.
    2. Change your background (Remember viewers still must be able to read the text)
    3. Insert your picture from our lab pictures.
    4. At the beginning of Lab 11, bring up your homepage.
    5. Later when preparing a site to host your Web pages, we can use the tool Webready. Webready was designed by UCS to"ready" your VAX account for hosting a homepage.
    PART 3
    1. Incorporate other interesting hyperlinks (not just the homepage of BSU).
    2. Insert a table. Content is up to you. It can be graphics, text or a combination of both.
    Last update: 2/2001
    email:dmz@cs.bsu.edu