HTML Sandbox

various freepers | Refreshed 6 Dec 02 | various freepers

[TPartyType]

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Welcome Newcomers!

This Sandbox is devoted to giving you a place to practice basic HTML, and to get some coaching.

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So, first things first:

Go to michigander's [ HTML Bootcamp (Cyber patriot training)] and learn there how to change font color, font size, font face, and the like.
THERE'S A WEALTH OF INFORMATION THERE NOT COVERED HERE (so as to avoid duplication).
Learn there also how to post a link and an image, then come back here to practice.

If you're having problems, folks will drop by occasionally to give you pointers and help you troubleshoot.

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Boring posts are a crime . . .

So practice here first!

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NEWCOMERS TIP: I just reread the FreeRepublic posting guidelines. They're worth a read by all newcomers [click here].

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Following is an excellent previous post by Willie Green

But first, HTML advice from the FreeRepublic help page:

Basic HTML
The Free Republic forum uses standard HTML coding techniques. Use <p> to start new paragraphs. You may use <b> to begin bolding and <center> to center text, but please remember to end these items where appropriate with </b> and/or </center>, etc. If you post links or other advanced coding, be sure to test before posting.

Creating new paragraphs is about the only html that most posters ever need, but if you would like to learn more about html you may use any search engine on the internet to find tutorials. Simply search on "html tutorial". Here are links to a couple tutorials that I found:

• HTML Goodies

• Three Rivers Free-Net Beginning HTML

The Basics

Paragraphs, Line Breaks and Horizontal Lines
A lengthy article or reply can be very tedious to read if it does not contain some very simple HTML formating. Inserting either of the following codes will make your post much more readable:

• <br> is a line break. Text that follows this code will begin on the next line.

• <p> is a paragraph break. Text that follows this code will begin on a new line after skipping a line.

• <hr> is a horizontal rule. It draws a line across the page like this:

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Character Formatting
Simple special effects may be created using Character Formatting Codes. These codes are used in pairs in the format: <?>words to be formatted</?>, where <?> turns the formatting "ON" and </?> turns the formating "OFF".

Please: ALWAYS turn "OFF" the formatting when you use it.

Some commonly used codes of this type are:

• <b> and </b> -- BOLD
• <i> and </i> -- Italic
• <u> and </u> -- Underline
• <blink> and </blink> -- Blink
• <strike> and </strike> -- Strike
• _and -- _Subscript
• ^and -- ^Superscript
• <big> and </big> -- Big text
• <small> and </small> -- Small text

These codes can be "nested" to produce multiple effects at the same time. For instance:

<b><i>Bold and Italic</i></b> produces Bold and Italic

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Links
The method for posting a HTML link is fairly simple. The following format is used:

<a HREF="URL">Link Description</a>

where "URL" is the URL address you want to link to (and you gotta use the double quotes), and Link Description is whatever you want to call your link. For example:

<a HREF="http://www.drudgereport.com/">Link to Drudge</a>

becomes Link to Drudge

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And another from the same previous post:

<FONT COLOR="COLOR">Sample</FONT> produces colorful text.

"COLOR" is often a Hexidecimal Code for whatever Color you want, but color names are also supported.
Examples:

<FONT COLOR="blue">blue text</font> produces blue text

<FONT COLOR="red">red text</font> produces red text

<FONT COLOR="green">green text</font> produces green text

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To: foolproof formatting

Here is an easy way to REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE FORMATTING.

To be sure I turn off the formatting I TYPE THE "OFF" COMMAND AT THE SAME TIME AS THE "ON" COMMAND.

An example:
I want to respond to a line in a post by another brilliant Freeper.
I type < I >""< /I >< BR>
I then "cut and paste" his remarks between the quotes:
< i>" You are a poopy head "< /I>< BR>
And type my equally brilliant response: "No, you're a poopy head!"
The result:

"You are a poopy head"
No, you're a poopy head!

It's very easy to forget to turn off your formatting!
Yes it is!

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To: ftrader, deport

Actually, the <ul> tag is for a bulleted list and stands for unordered list. The missing part is the list item tag (<li>) Here's an example:

<ul>
<li>List item #1
<li>List item #2
<li>List item #3
</ul>

Would display:

• List item #1
• List item #2
• List item #3

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Finally . . .

Here's the link for [Webmonkey] (a super HTML training site).

[Gamecock]

I learned the HTML basics at FR!

So did I! It changed my life! When my assignment officer called to ask if I knew how to design web pages I was able to answer in the affirmative, and landed a great job in a great city!

My boss thinks I am smart, just because of what I learned here!

[steveegg]

When I post an article (start a new thread), I'd like to have a wide margin to the left and an even wider margin to the right.

BLOCKQUOTE only does a left indent, but leaves the right margin alone.

Any tips for some simple HTML code that will do the trick?

Thanks!

Trying a <table> tag would work...

This particular table is 65% as wide as the screen. If you don't see the wrap, resize your browser until you do. To duplicate this, type <table width=65%>, and don't forget to close the table with the </table> tag. Of course, you can change the width percent to your liking.

You can also stick a <blockquote> tag in to move the table in.

This table is also 65% as wide as the screen, but it has a <blockquote> tag before the <table> tag. Again, if you don't see the margins, resize the browser until you do. Don't forget to close with a </table> tag, followed by a </blockquote> tag.

The <blockquote>/<table> combo also will automatically put a line between the table and anything appearing afterward.

While the <blockquote> tag doesn't always appear to have a right margin because of word wrap, it does indent the same width as the left margin. Observe:

This blockquoted text is aligned on the right margin using the <div align=right> tag (don't forget to close with the </div> tag).

This un-blockquoted text is also aligned on the right margin.

[dixiechick2000]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk!

Bookmarking and Bump, TPT!
Thanks for the lesson!

[michigander]

Doesn't show up in my MS IE browser but does in my old Netscape

I don't think "blink" ever did show up in MS IE and "marquee" didn't show up in Netscape as I recall. I don't know why.
Feel any younger? :-)

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Testing, testing...

I don't happen to have "sand" font on my 'puter so it just shows up as regular old Times New Roman (Western).
Looks like it should have worked though.

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I'm just your friendly temp drill instructor.

We can never have too many of those and none should ever be considered "temp". Heck, you probably know more about this stuff than I do. I know there are numerous folks here that do.
Compared to the skills I've seen displayed in these threads over the years, On a good day, I'd rate myself as incredibly average.

[madfly]

Thanks soooooo much for posting and pinging me to this thread. There are at least a dozen answers to questions that I've had since my first html post here ever!

[Spunky]

Freepers, This summer my brother bought me a HP 551w which uses windows XP. I have yet to figure out how to copy the URL for a picture.

I left click on the picture, then go to properties. The information comes up, but it will not let me copy it. I need help!
My Macintosh was slow as heck, but it was easy to use :-(

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

I've read about image methods and formats of basic HTML, but have yet to see anyone address it's inabilities. No longer can developers provide sophisticated interfaces via browers without new interfaces which either enhance or extend beyond HTML capabilities. XML looks like it will replace HTML on a gradual basis and it's already in use. There's XHTML, DHTML, CSS, DOM... all of which take us into the future.

[The Mayor]

Nice site Jeff, have you seen mine?I have to update it seeing that I moved to Virginia hehe..

[Libertina]

HTML BUMP

[TPartyType]

Regarding your number 50:

Hey back atcha harpo11!!!

[TPartyType]

We certainly have our playground again!

. . . and lots o FReepers are playin' in it! Ain't it great! (I hope JohnRob doesn't lose sleep over any problems this causes though . . .)

[TPartyType]

Thanks, steve, for handling tictoc's question. I didn't even know the answer! (The only HTML I know I picked up around here!!)

[TPartyType]

Here's your solution, Spunky

It ain't slow and it ain't no steenking PC! :0)

[Cacique]

Here's the thread to learn a little HTML and spice up your posts.

[Balata]

Thanks for starting this HTML thread, TPT. It's a great idea.

I would encourage everyone to stop by the Flag Thread and learn how to fly your state flag on your profile page. The Flag Thread is educational, entertaining, fun, and FReepers can practice their new found HTML skills there. Everyones welcome. Come on over.

Flag Thread

[Balata]

One can also learn to fly their state flags on their posts like this.

Or their country flag like this.or any combination.

[DBtoo]

bump for later and thankyou.

[MeekOneGOP]

We certainly have our playground again!

. . . and lots o FReepers are playin' in it! Ain't it great! (I hope JohnRob doesn't lose sleep over any problems this causes though . . .)

Sure is. I hope so too !

[Jeff Head]

NIce site and God bless you for helping preserve the memory and the need to view it for what it was.

On my main site there is a link to Patriotism. On that page is the link to my:

Attack on America Site.

... that I put up in September of 2001 about a week or two after the attack. It has received over 320,000 visits. It is simply amazing.

[madfly]

Some fun tips & tricks!