Web pages are made up of three parts, text, graphics and links. In this lesson you
will learn the different ways to place text on a web page.When you work with type
on a web page there are two important points to keep in mind: the resolution the
user has set for his/her monitor and what type (fonts) are loaded on their computer.
To complete lesson 2 do the following
- Download the worksheet for this lesson and using the information on this Web page
answer the questions. When you have completed the worksheet place it in the dorpbox
for lesson 2 worksheet.
- Compete “Creating a New Web Site”
- Complete the two text tutorials on the Working with Text page.
- Complete project 2 and upload it to the server.
I have provided you with a sample page to give you and idea of how I want the text
page to look.
Type (fonts)
You must consider your type style (fonts) when placing text on a Web page.
Fonts are divided into serif and sans serif. The link below will take you to a Web
site that explains the difference between the two.
http://www.scribe.com.au/tip-w017.html
There is a debate on whether it is better to use serif or sans serif fonts for body
copy on a web page. Some people argue that the little extensions on serif fonts
make it easier to read the text. Other people argue that sans serif fonts are cleaner
and more readable on the computer screen. You have to make your own decision when
you are adding text to a Web page.
Web Safe Fonts
There are hundreds of fonts available for you to use in creating text on a Web page.
The problem is that not all computers have the same fonts loaded on their operating
systems. If you choose a font the user does not have on her/his computer, the system
will use a default font that is part of the browser program. In most cases this
is Times New Roman. There are a certain number of fonts that can be found on Windows
and Mac operating systems, these are known as Web (browser) safe fonts. The link
below will show you the Web (browser) safe fonts.
http://archive.websitenotes.com/websitenotes-37-20041220BrowserSafeFonts.html
Most Wed design programs will group the Web safe fonts at the top of the font list
so that you can find them easily. If you decide to use a font not on list remember
that your Web site might not look the same to the person who is viewing it.
Graphic Fonts
One of the ways you can use any font on a Web page is to create graphics for text
banners, buttons and headings on your page. Making text graphics eliminates the
need for the browser searching for the specific font from the fonts you have loaded
on the operating system of your computer. Most new Web design programs will automatically
create banners, buttons and headings as graphics for you. You do not use graphic
fonts for body copy on your Web page.
Using Different Browsers in Web Site Design
One thing every good Web designer does is view their Web sites in different browsers.
All browsers display Web pages; however there are slight differences in the way
the different browser programs are designed and this can effect how your page looks
in that browser. I would recommend that you have at least the two Web browsers loaded
on your computer.
Internet Explorer comes with the Windows operating system.
Other popular Web browsers are
- Mozella FireFox
- Google Chrome
