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Hypertext markup language, or HTML, is the basic tongue of the World Wide Web. From simple personal pages to feature-laden corporate supersites, every web page has its foundations set in HTML. Luckily, the learning curve isn't very steep. You can browse through an HTML how-to book or online tutorial and have a simple web page written in a matter of minutes. However, there are a couple of skills to master before you hit the books: First off, get online. While there may be some languages that can be mastered without full immersion, HTML isn't one of them. Next, learn how to access the HTML "source" for each web page you visit. On both Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer, you'll find "Page Source" (or simply "Source") listed under the "View" menu. Now find a fairly
simply site (try http://www.yale.edu/) and compare what you see in your browser to what you see in the source window. Can you begin to see a method to the madness? (Don't worry if you can't.) This is to familiarize yourself with the key skill of every good HTML wonk: figuring out the connection between "what you see" and "what you get." Once you've eyeballed the source code for a few more pages, it's time to get some professional help. Fire up your favorite Net portal and search on "HTML beginners guides" or "HTML tutorials." Either should result in a list of several possible resources. Among them you'll probably find sites like Case Western Reserve University's Introduction to HTML and
The Bare Bones Guide to HTML. If you prefer the printed page to the pixelated screen, do a similar search at your favorite online bookseller. Chances are you'll find a whole host of "For Dummies" books and other beginners guides.
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