Introduction

"Web Design For Students" is geared for the Rutgers University student trying to create his or her own web page or site, whether it be for a class or their own personal use. This all-encompassing tutorial will walk you through every step necessary, from the very beginning of setting up an account to place the site, all the way through actually putting up the final product.

You'll be led through a series of sections that will help you not only work with the actual computer interaction, but also important issues, such as plagiarism. You will view some "model" sites before creating your own, hopefully to inspire your own ideas about content and appearance, or layout. In addition to this site, links will be provided to outside resources for you to also consult during (and after) the creation of your site. These resources will include other tutorials, and free "extras" for your website (things such as forums and counters).

This tutorial will focus mainly on the computer program "Macromedia Dreamweaver." It is what's referred to as a "WYSIWYG" ("What You See Is What You Get") website program. It is called this because you will be working the program in a familiar, graphics-based interface. Rather than the old methods of coding a page by hand, Dreamweaver allows you to work in an environment similar to other programs you may have used in the past, such as Microsoft Word, but with many extra features geared exclusively towards the web.

Dreamweaver is available on nearly all lab computers on campus. In addition to this, you can download a free 30-day trial of the program directly from Macromedia's own website. You can also purchase the program, as well, from Macromedia. The list price is $299.00. However, you can also enter through Macromedia's "Student and Teacher Discounts" section, where you will find the program for a mere $99 (you can also purchase it bundled with Macromedia's graphics program, Fireworks, for $149). If you plan on working with websites above and beyond your first site, you may want to seriously consider purchasing Dreamweaver for your own use at home.

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