The first program I ever used for web layout was Adobe PageMaker,

and it was hellish. I was trying to learn how to use PhotoShop at

the same time, and it seemed like neither of them would do what

they were supposed to do-I'd scan something, and it would show up

seven or eight times larger than I'd expected; or I'd

accidentally turn something green or black, or cut off a huge

chunk of my picture, or all of my text would be smashed up

against the top of the page. I don't remember being that

frustrated since learning how to talk for the first time.

Six or seven months later, the internet company I worked for sent

all of the editors to a introductory HTML class at Salt Lake

Community College. Like a lot of people, I was intimidated by

HTML, which is why I started out with a WYSIWYG editor. Coding is

definitely more time-consuming, but it's easier (because it's

logical) and is much more precise. I remember wishing that I'd

learned how to code before I'd started blindly messing around

with PageMaker, not only because PageMaker had nearly given me a

stress ulcer, but I'd wasted so much time feeling around in the

dark and feeling like an idiot. I had no idea this whole thing

was really so easy.

Not that I'm patient enough to code from scratch; no way. I use

Dreamweaver. The problem with Dreamweaver, of course (and lots of

other WYSIWYG programs) is they have their quirks. Anyone who

plans on maintaining a professional web page should get

themselves over to the library, or to their local community

college and take an HTML class (there are also some good

tutorials on the web, though they're probably less effective than

an actual human being who can help you as soon as you run into

trouble). With some sharp HTML skills, you'll not only be able to

troubleshoot your own web page problems, but you'll have absolute

control over your pages; you'll be able to create the page you

see in your head, instead of resigning yourself to the page you

happen to end up with after messing around on your computer for

hours and hours.

Dreamweaver and HomeSite together make a powerful web-building

toolbox (you can download a 30-day trial version of HomeSite at

www.allaire.com). Dreamweaver is a pretty easy program to use to

get your basic elements in place, but HomeSite allows you to

fine-tune your code, do a global "search and replace" to edit

your pages for consistency, as well as spell-check your text.

Anyone can put a page up on the web; if you're a master of HTML,

you'll be able to take full control of the look, feel and

functionality of your pages.

Stefene Russell is a freelance writer living in Salt Lake City,

Utah. She has worked as a print journalist and as Senior Content

Producer for citysearch.com. She is currently Dr. Kevin Nunley's

in-house website expert, providing site analysis to e-businesses.

For a free website analysis, email her at stefene@drnunley.com or

for a detailed analysis, visit

http://www.fixmywebsite.com/analysis.htm