What is a Web-Based Selective?

A Web-Based Selective is a selective project that uses a website or online material to present and gather information. Some web-based projects act as tutorials while others are established more for community outreach. HTML, CSS, javascript, and flash are just a few of the tools used to create the online projects. For more detailed information on these types of selectives, please visit the About section.

How do I get started on my project?

Once you have approval for your Web-Based Selective, you should contact the CEC/Student Tech Services Staff at 679-8870 to meet and discuss the goals of your project. You will need to schedule time with staff to 1) Get familiar with the software you will use, 2) Learn HTML/CSS Principles and Beginning Development, 3) Discuss Layout & User Interface Options, and 4) Develop Templates and Site Management.

Once you have mastered these first steps, students can typically work independently, consulting staff as questions arise during the actual development of the site.

How long will it take for me to learn...?

The learning curve varies from person to person, depending on your comfort level with computers and software. The WYSIWYG editors do not differ greatly from word processing programs (like Word or Word Perfect), and once you understand the menus and interface even the most computer illiterate can usually get into the swing of creating their website. We recommend working on your project when full-time staff are available to help--at least until you feel comfortable with the tools and principles involved in creating your project.

The longest portion of time should be spent developing the actual content of the site. The second longest portion will be spent on the initial design. Once the design is completed, a template is created and you will be able to focus on "pouring" the content into the template.

Even though your focus should be on the content and subject matter of the site, do not under-estimate the time needed to develop your layout and learn the principles needed to create the look and feel of the site.

What is HTML?

HTML is short for Hyper Text Mark-up Language and is the "code" that drives webpages. HTML consists of tags like <p>, <div>, and <table> for "paragraph," "layer," and "table" respectively. There are many great online tutorials you can use to learn HTML, and there are many WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) style editors that will reduce your need to learn all of the intricacies of HTML, and help you create a fully functioning website.

HTML "marks-up" or labels the different areas of content used in the webpage, and should work in tandem with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to shape the overall look and feel of a website.

To view the HTML of this page, right-click (ctrl-click on a mac) anywhere in the main text and select "View Source" or "View Page Source."

What is CSS?

CSS is short for Cascading Style Sheet and is the design partner to the HTML. Back before 1997, HTML contained all of the design elements as well as the outline of the contents and layout was mostly accomplished by putting everything into data tables to hold position. With the development and adoption of CSS standards, HTML now marks out the areas of the site and CSS will give the area its color, size, location, etc. When used properly together, HTML will leave the design almost completely to the CSS file and will only contain a basic outline of the contents of the page. Like HTML, there are many online tutorials and editors that will make using CSS easier.

Why use CSS?

CSS gives you, the designer/developer, much more control of page design. On top of that, CSS is the current standard and in the future, web browsers (Netscape, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc) will not support many of the HTML attributes that can be used to control design and instead will rely solely on CSS to drive those pieces of the pages.

One of the main reasons for adhering to the standards though, is accessibility. CSS makes content available to a variety of people with a variety of abilities and disabilities. There are Federal and State regulations that require all government sites to adhere to accessibility standards.

Another reason we use CSS & HTML for creating online materials is for ease of adaptation. We can easily incorporate a student's project into a faculty website or online course curriculum by altering only one file--the CSS file.

What software is available to use?

Macromedia Dreamweaver is the primary tool used in developing most online projects. We also have Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks, and Macromedia Flash. In addition, we have video editing software and digital camera equipment to add multimedia pieces to your online selective.

Are there computers and equipment available for me to use?

Computers, scanners, cameras, and other equipment is available during Library hours in the CEC area of the Lyman Maynard Stowe Library. Reserved computers (both PC and Macintosh) are available from 7am - 3:30pm, Monday through Friday in the CEC staff area specifically for students working on their Student Selective Project. These computers give you easy access to knowledgeable staff and are available for students who need to make corrections or changes to content after the project has been posted on the web server. Development workstations are also available in the Student area of the CEC, but they are not reserved for selective projects and do not have access to make changes to currently posted sites.

I used tables instead of CSS...

It is tempting for most beginner web site creators to use tables to control their layout. It is a tangible concept that most people can grasp from using Excel or word processing software and they feel as if they have more control with tables. The truth is that you have less control and are very limited when using tables. Your site will load slower and it will be very difficult to make your table-driven layout look the same in every web browser. Internet Explorer and Mozilla based browsers handle tables VERY differently.

If you have used tables for the layout, you can contact the CEC staff at 679-8870 and they will work with you to translate them into the more acceptable standard of CSS-driven layout.

Why does my site look different in Internet Explorer/Firefox/Safari/Netscape?

Web browsers--especially Internet Explorer--can interpret the HTML and CSS of a website differently. Using HTML and CSS instead of tables can help eliminate a lot of the cross-browser issues you may see, but your site should be tested in as many browsers as possible before you consider your template & CSS to be complete.

Do not panic if IE does not handle the spacing or margins correctly, or if things do not display exactly the same in each browser. If you are experiencing this kind of issue in one browser or another, contact the Student Tech Services staff at 679-8870 for advice or to set up a meeting to go over any spacing or compatibility issues.

How do I get my Selective added to the site?

Once you have completed your project, you will need to have your advisor review it before it can be added to the selective showcase. After any corrections or changes are made, you will need to contact the CEC/Student Tech Services staff to schedule an appointement to have your project posted online. Any final adjustments to the template or CSS can be made at the meeting, and options for future editing will be discussed as well.