Introduction to Composer

Basic Web Page Elements

Preparing a Web Page

Composer Tool Bars

Creating Your Page

Publishing Your Page

Clip Art

Teaching Guide

 

Introduction to Composer
Step 4: Creating Your Page

2. Establishing Page Properties

     A. It is time to create your home page file name and title.
  • Go to File (top left of Menu Bar) and open the File Menu. 
  • Click on Save As.  A dialogue box will appear. 
  • Find your A:\ Drive and open your folder.
  • Enter a short file name and click on Save. 
  • The home page file name of a web site is often called index. 
  • Check to see if your web page host/server requires a specific file name for your first page.  This will be important when your publish your page.  See Step 5.


1. A:\ Drive -- PC      See: Saving Files--MAC

2. Open Folder -- PC

You must Save after you name your file.
 
 

B. After you save your file, a pop up dialogue box will appear 
     and ask you to give your page a title. Enter the title and click OK.

Page Title Box -- PC

 

C. How do you open your web page file after it has been saved?

  • Close your page from the File Menu or from the button at the top right of the screen.
  • Make sure you are still in Composer.
  • Now click on the Open button Composition Tool Bar #2.
  • In the dialogue box, check to make sure your web page folder is open.
  • Select your page file and click on the Open button.
  • Your page will reappear in the Composer work space.

    •  
Note:
     If you use the File Menu and click on Open Page, a different 
     dialogue box will appear. Click on Choose File, find your 
     file location, and proceed to open your file.

File Menu Open Page--PC

 
 

D. The Page Properties (MAC) or Page Colors and Properties (PC)
     dialogue box is accessed from the Format menu at the top 
     of the screen.
 

  • Open the Format Menu and click and open Page Properties. 
  • There are three folders at the top of the box. 
  • For your first web page, you will need the General folder and the Colors and Background folder. 

    •  
E. Page Properties: Click on the General folder tab.

     The three important parts of this box are

  • Title: This is the name you have already given your page, but it can be changed now or later.
  • Location:  This should show your file name and folder name.
  • Author:  Enter your name in this space.
  • Click on the links below for images of the General dialogue box.
F. Page Properties:  If not already visible, click on Colors and 
    Background folder tab. You will start with the choices on the 
    left side of the dialogue box.  The right side displays your color
    selections.
 
  • Choice #1:  Click on the first button to select the default colors of the viewer's browser. Some people find this boring, but it saves time and is a sure thing.

    •  
  • Choice #2:  Define your own colors. Click on ...custom colors...  Starting with Normal Text, choose your own color by clicking on the color button next to the text description.  A color chart will appear for you to make your color selection.

    •  
  • Choice #3:  Color Schemes. 
    • PC:  Find the headline Color Schemes. Next to this headline you see a blank space with an arrow to the right. Click on the arrow to open a list of coordinated color schemes. Click on the color scheme's name to see how it looks.

      •  
    • MAC:  Look for the gray bar to the right of the Custom Colors button.  Click on the arrows to open a list of coordinated color schemes.  Click on the color scheme's name to see how it looks.

      •  
  • Choice #4:  When you gain confidence in designing your page, you may wish to use a background image file that you have found in a clip art collection. This would take the place of a plain background color.  This image would be inserted in your page by following the directions in the Background Image section of the dialogue box. 

    •  
  • Don't forget to click OK at the bottom of the Colors and Background box when you are finished!
  • Click on the links below to view the Colors and Background box.
  
The contents of the Web Institute Web Site, including the On-Line Curriculum, Web Tank, and Session Notes, are Copyright 1999-2000, Graham School of General Studies, University of Chicago. No one may print, copy, or otherwise reproduce these materials without the express written permission of the Director of Education Programs at the Graham School. All rights reserved.

The chapters from Curriculum Webs: A Practical Guide to Weaving the Web into Teaching and Learning are Copyright 1999-2000, Craig A. Cunningham and Marty Billingsley. No one may print, copy, or otherwise reproduce these materials without the express written permission of the authors. All rights reserved.