The browser's only accept "Plain Text". Any formatting of the text must be specified with HTML "tags". Word .DOC files have non ASCII characters and are not acceptable to browsers. Yes, I know Word will create HTML files from your .DOC files, but what it creates is another Microsoft Disaster. I don't know anyone who uses Word to create HTML files, and before writing this I tried using word to create a simple .txt file. It is possible, but a royal pain, and then I had to rename the file to have a .htm extension!

Notepad creates only ASCII text files. Microsoft has to keep it around just for creating such things as HTML. For those who know Word, the "Mouse Editing" is virtually the same in Notepad.

Unfortunately, Notepad defaults to creating .TXT files. For creating web pages you can rename the .TXT file so it ends in: ".HTM" I have shown the file extensions here in upper case. But, in use they should be in lower case. HTML, and the Internet, was created in the UNIX world where names are case sensitive. You would be well advised to keep all names intended for the internet in lower case. And they must not contain any spaces. Have you noticed URL's never contain spaces, even if it means stringing words together? Also, you would be well advised to not use any characters except letters and numbers in file names.

1. I suggest you create a subdirectory (called a Folder in the world of Windows) right at the root on your hard drive. You need a directory not buried in the quagmire of Windows, and one that Windows and other software don't know about and won't diddle with. I use the file name "web" This is so I can access it as C:/web/?????.htm in the URL line.
   • However for what we are doing here, any drive will work just fine. It could be:
     1. A floppy
     2. A hard drive other than C:
     3. One of the USB flash drives.
   • Anything that will hold about 10KB or more should be fine. When we get to images, you may need more space if they are large.

2. If a Notepad icon is not on your desktop I suggest you create a "shortcut" to it. (This means getting it on your desk top.) You can do this by clicking on Start when at your desktop (or pressing the Windows logo key on the keyboard) then selecting programs, and when you find Notepad Right Click on it and select "Create Shortcut".

3. I sugest you use Notepad and create a test file which only has four characters in it, and no spaces. Then save it using SaveAs in the file menu. You may have to find c:web and down at the bottom you will see a selection for the file type. You want to select "All *.*" then you can type in a name. I suggest for a test you use a simple name like t1.htm I want you to now find the file probably using "My Computer" selecting the C: drive then "web" folder and looking at "All" and move the cursor to your new file. I want you to look at the file size. You may have to Right Click on it and select Properties. It should be either 4 or 6 bytes. It would be 6 bytes if there is your "four letter word" plus a Carriage Return and Line Feed. If you have done this: Pat yourself on the back! Your are well on your way.

4. Now I would like you to become comfortable going back to Notepad, making changes, then looking at the size. When you are looking at the results of real HTML files with your browser you will make several corrections before you are satisfied.

I can't resist pointing out that this would all be much simpler in a DOS command line world. But I have to assume you are afraid of DOS and think you like to use a mouse. What a pity.

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