Writing HTML Documents for the Community Atlas

As noted in the Guidelines, the documents in the Community Atlas project need to be constructed as web pages, and saved as HTML files. Such files are simple to create.

1. HTML Production Tools
   HTML documents are simply text files that contain special instructions that Web browsers interpret to display images or link to other documents. The tools listed below can each create such files:
   • special Web page production tools, such as Macromedia DreamWeaver or Microsoft FrontPage
   • standard word processors, most of which can export files as HTML documents or save as ASCII text
   • simple text editors, such as NotePad or TextEdit
   For the Community Atlas, it is essential that all documents and images be in one single folder with no subfolders.This can be challenging, using some of the specialized web page production tools. For the Community Atlas, you can use any tool you wish to create the HTML documents; during the design and testing phase, just make sure all files are stored in a single folder with no subfolders, and the HTML documents do not contain hidden coding that references folders.
2. HTML Instruction
   There are many HTML instruction books available at computer stores, office stores, and book stores. There are also many HTML tutorials online. Here are two basic introductions for understanding and creating HTML:
   • How Stuff Works
   • Case Western Reserve
3. Project Design
   The key in your Community Atlas project is planning. Sketch out the design of your project. It can consist of any number of pages, must include a number of images, and contain any number of links. The Guidelines page includes all the important HTML information. Just sketch out the plan including the basic information and how you will fit in your images.
4. HTML Templates
   It may be easiest to start with a template. Below are two template choices. One is a suite of pages that can be modified; this set incudes written instruction for modification. The other is a single page which can be used over and over again; links below lead to videos which show the process of using the template.
   • Multi-page Template set
   • Single HTML Template file
     See these videos for examples:
     1. [download] Creating two locator maps in ArcVoyager
        [3.0 mb ZIP file = 13 mb AVI file]
     2. [download] Using the HTMLTMPL file to create basic sample pages
        [5.0 mb ZIP file = 21 mb AVI file]
     3. [download] Putting the locator maps into the basic sample pages
        [2.0 mb ZIP file = 8.5 mb AVI file]

Questions? Write to communityatlas@esri.com
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