Day Six

Multimedia

Castro, Chapter 17: Multimedia

The use of multimedia features in web pages is not a new concept, but should be used sparingly and appropriately. When used to it's extreme it can drive people from your website. The hamster dance website prides itself on using multimedia to entertain.

Keep in mind that not all browsers can play all multimedia streams. Browsers might need to load various applet programs which will allow them to play.

Email Tags

Castro, p. 124
Email tags allow the user to send mail by clicking a link such as bgottwig@lesley.edu.
Email tags include an anchor, HREF with a mailto: with address, clickable text, and a close anchor.

Publishing Your Website

Castro, Chapter 25: Publishing

There are a number of things to remember before publishing your website. first is the data appropriate and original. You can not use some elses graphic elements or data without their permission. Generally speaking this also includes links to other websites. Remember the rules of confidentiality as well. Because you can place someone's picture on your website does not mean you have their permission to do so. Treat your website as your original published work.

Make sure all of your links work every time. If a link becomes dead, immediately remove it or repair it. Others opinion of your website is based upon how it looks, how it works, and how relavent your information is to them.

Once all of the little things have be confirmed, you are ready to publish. If you want others to see your website you need to include meta tags which will point search engines to your site. Meta tags can include web page descriptions for key words. If you wish your site to remain somewhat invisible this function can be discouraged by using the Meta tags as well. The bottom line on this, many search engines use spiders which are search programs to find your web site without your permission. Assume that if you publish it it will be visible.

Getting a domain name

Given the commercial nature of both reserving the domain name and finding a hosting company, the process can become complicated. Generally speaking, the process to receive a domain name first involves finding someone to host your website. Most ISP or website hosts are also setup to help you search for a domain name and also manage the site as well. A domain is basically rented per year and the cost is determined by the service who owns the name.

FTP: File Transfer Protocol Software (uploading)

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a TCP/IP protocol which allows one to move files and folders to remote servers. Most web design software applications have a form of FTP as part if its code. There are, however, a number of independent software packages available both commercially and shareware.

In class we will learn how to configure FTP and the step required to transfer files from the local computer to the web server. Complete tutorials on the process will be posted on my.lesley.edu.

One of the simplest FTP programs is called Core FTP LE. This software is available for most operating systems platforms; and the lmited edition version is free to download and use.

Fetch a copy of Fetch | Instructions

Remember, once you've uploaded your site, you can view it using your browser
http://www.lesley.edu/faculty/ftgottwi/CITY/bg030101/.

If your file name is NOT index.html, remember you MUST also include the file name at the end of the address! Here, I've added index.html so you can see what this would look like.
http://www.lesley.edu/faculty/ftgottwi/CITY/sc030101/index.html

Checking your site for mistakes
Chapter 24

Clearing the cache
Remember, when you view any page on the web, the cache will sometimes display an OLD version. You can clear the cache by wading through an arcane series of preference menus, Every browser under preference will have a spot where the cache, history, and cookies can be erased. This process can be configured to do it automatically, or it can be done manually.

Use NetMechanic to check links, code, spelling.
W3C HTML Validation Service displays your code with the line numbers, which is a big help. It provides very precise and stringent critiques, with a detailed explanation of how your code may conflict with HTML standards. Firebug and Web Developer are extension addons to Mozilla Firefox which include applications that can validate and in some cases repair webpages.

JAVA APPLETS p. 306
Java applets run in the browser window.
Background info:

Interpreted language such as BASIC is a series of commands translated into machine language by the computer's interpreter.
Compiled language such as Pascal is translated, i.e. compiled, to machine executable code BEFORE running on your computer.
JAVA code uses BOTH processes. First the code is compiled into Java Bytecode which is platform independent. Your browser must be equipped with an Interpreter which then translates the Bytecode into the proper commands for any given computer. i.e. the intepreter on a PowerMac will translate the bytecode in one fashion while a Windows machine will take the same Bytecode and create a set of instructions suitable for the Windows system.

USING JAVA APPLETS

<Applet Code="applet.class" width="100" height="140"> </Applet>
Sources for Java Applets (thanks to Bill Arrigoni)
Bodo's Lair Free Java Applets (great samples, all code provided)
Java Applets, Javascripts, and tutorial.. from clocks to cookies so you can track people that visit your page!
Dynamic Drive DHTML scripts for the Real World

Bells and Whistles

Bells and Whistles.com..