An old question that is often asked . . . it has a variety of answers to it . . . the final answer lies with you. What are you comfortable using?

WYSIWYG stands for What You See Is What You Get. A couple examples of this are Dreamweaver and Frontpage, basically any "drag and drop" type web page creator or one that is "insert this here" visually. You draw the objects and text on the screen, and the program does all of the coding for you.

Is WYSIWYG really the easier solution though? Most of these editors create a bloated style coding and usually produce coding errors. Some will produce web pages suited for only one type of browser! What if you want to do some "special" type of effect that goes beyond the parameters of the program? What if the program inserts features onto your page that require special extension support from your online host? To go beyond the capabilities and fix all the problems of an "easy" page maker, you must know your coding.

If you are set on using a WYSIWYG editor, I would highly suggest learning the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once you learn these, though, you may decide not to use that editor and stick with a regular text editor. Some people will simply use the WYSIWYG to create a basic layout, then go into the coding and add in the details. This all comes down to your own choice again.

Is HTML hard to learn?
For most people, no, HTML is a simple coding structure. This also falls to the individual and how they learn best. Some like to read books, others need instruction in a classroom, others just learn by example. There are many resources available on the internet, in the book store, in schools, and in your local library.

Do I have to learn HTML to be a webmaster?
Webmaster is a relative term. Some say you just have to be the one in charge of making and editing web pages, no matter what you use or know. Others will say you should know the basics of coding and actually know what the web page is doing. Learning HTML is suggested and probably a good idea. Show them what you "know" instead of only what you can make a program do for you.

CONCLUSION: Why learn HTML and other coding?

1.  Self satisfaction: be proud you have learned a new skill and are able to apply it for the world to see.

2.  Create better working and faster loading web pages.

3.  The only boundaries are in your own knowledge and imagination. You have more control in a text editor than in any WYSIWYG editor.

This article is my opinion. It may greatly differ with your opinion, which is OK. Everyone has his own ideas.

Article associated links:

HTML coding sites
www.htmlite.com
www.htmlgoodies.com
www.webmonkey.com

Text editors
www.notetab.com

Download sites
www.downloads.com
www.tucows.com

Other sites mentioned in article
www.macromedia.com
www.microsoft.com

Please note: if you were directed here from another site, visit the main website for JEMS WebDesign or The WebMaster's Desk for additional articles, book reviews, tutorials, design tips, and resources.