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You want to make your Expo Page using
Netscape Composer or another composition tool.
Out of all the Web page composition tools I've seen, the two most popular site-building tools are Microsoft Frontpage and Netscape Composer. Of the big two, Netscape Composer most closely resembles the features that are prominent in all other site tools. The assumption with this tutorial if you're not using either Frontpage or Netscape Composer is that you're already fairly comfortable with the composition tool you're using. If you're using Netscape Composer, this tutorial will have an extra benefit for you becuase mouse commands are provided in green on this page. There is also a Frontpage tutorial for designing your webpage. If you would prefer using Microsoft Frontpage, you can access that QB Expo tutorial by clicking here. Now let's get started. The first thing you need to look at is how a typical QB Expo page will look like once it's done. To do that, view "test.htm", which is included in the devkit that you've unzipped. Make sure you open this page in a separate window; we're going to refer to this page every now and then.
As you can see, test.htm is divided into three sections. There's a bar on the top of the page (you don't need to worry about this). On the bottom of the top bar are two columns that consist of a left sidebar (where you can provide links that give people an opportunity to download or know more about your product) and a right column where a written overview of the product is provided. When designing your webpage, do not change anything featured on the top bar. That means you don't change the colors of the top bar, don't change the design at the back of the top bar, etc. The top bar you've received is merely a rough draft of the what the final system of navigation will be for the QB Expo, so any changes you've made there will probably be altered. To help speed up the process somewhat, a blank Expo page has already been made for you to use called "blank.htm". This is the file you should open your composition tool, and the copy that you'll be working with. If loaded properly the file should look something like this:
Note that the top bar on blank.htm looks exactly like the one in test.htm. Again, this is supposed you aren't supposed to change anything that's featured on the top bar. Your first order of business is to give your Expo page some of it's own colors and backgrounds. First, let's deal with the background of the page by changing page properties (Netscape Composer Users press Alt O+G). Then, change the background color to what you desire. If you want to, you can also use an image for your background, provided that you've already made one to use. Look for a field that refers to Background Image; fill in that box and you should be able to change the background image. The next thing you want to do after changing the background is probably changing the dull and boring grey color of the left sidebar and right column. Right clicking on the column you want to change should open a list of options. Basically you want to change the table properties, so Netscape Composer Users should click on Table Properties, then Cell. Look for something called "Cell Background"; below it you'll find all the options you'll need to change the grey color to a different color, or even to substitute the color with an image file you have made. Remember that the left sidebar and right column make up two cells in a single table, so you will have to change the cell background at the least twice, once for the left sidebar and the other time for the right column.
Now, let's talk a little more about the left sidebar. This trusty little bar is where you can place links to all the media that you want people to see of your project. This includes the location where a download of a beta or finished copy of your project can be located. Other suggestions include links to screenshots, movies, and URLs to your site or related links. Use your composition tool to write text and insert images, which is usually done by left clicking at the left sidebar where you want to start typing. Then type away as much as your heart desires. While you're putting together the left sidebar though, there are probably three things you want to learn how to do using your composition tool: adding an image, making a link, and changing font properties. Let's deal with these one step at a time. First, let's learn how to add an image using a basic composition tool. Usually when you look at your menubar, one of the options will allow you to insert an image. Inserting images are usually part of the Insert menu or an Import command, if that applies. Upon choosing this option, there should be a field where you will be able to type the name of the image that you are adding to your Expo page. In the same box where you enter the name of the image in Netscape Composer, you can also adjust the height and width of the image along with it's orientation on the page. The next thing you want to learn is how to make a link. In composition tools, if you highlight an area with the left-mouse button and right-click over the highlighted area, one of the options will allow you to create a link. A menu will open with a bevy of options. The most important component is the notation you use to enter your link. Depending on the extension
of the link you use, one of the following things will happen when people
click on your link:
In writing your links, simply write the name of the file, without any use of the term "http://" or even a sub-directory name. All Expo files will be within the same directory. Finally, the last thing you want to be able to do with your composition tool is change font properties. If you highlight an area with left-mouse button and right-click over the highlighted area, you should find something like Font Properties or Character Properties. Click on this and you should find a menu that will allow you to change the color and style of the font you're using. Once you're happy with the left sidebar, now's the time to work on the right column.
Now let's talk about the right column, which is made up of two parts, the game description and the game summary. The game description, which goes on top, must show the following information: Title of the game or project, The developer of this project (that's you... a URL to your webpage after this is encouraged), your e-mail, the genre of your project (ex: 1 player RPG, 2 player Platform, Library), and the Release date for your project. If you're releasing your project or a beta at the same time as the QB Expo, write "July 2000 (Downloadable at Expo)" as the release date for your project. After the description, write down a summary of your project. Basically, just talk about your game, tool, library, or utility and just how great it is! Try to talk about features that make your project in particular prevalent. Remember, this is your chance to inform everyone about what your stuff is all about. Note the following table specifications on your blank Expo page, that must remain the same regardless of how your manipulate the page. The top table, which consists of the top bar, has a cell width of 100% of the window. The bottom table, which consists of the left sidebar and the right column, also has a cell width of 100% of the window. However, the left cell of the bottom table (the left sidebar) must have a cell width of at least 60 pixels and must not exceed 200 pixels. These specifications should allow the tables in your webpage to work fine in screen resolutions of 640*480 and higher. Now, let's talk about the color specifications for your Expo webpage. The bland white color of your blank Expo page can be changed almost any way you like. Simply choose the colors that will make your project look best. You can also, if you like, make a background for the left sidebar or right column, or even make a background that adorns the back of your page. Fonts are also free for color change; the only color you can't change is the color of the top bar, which must remain in that alternating green/dark green pattern. Finally, let's talk about the various font specifications for your Expo page. Again, the top bar, whose font is Arial, Helvetica, must not be changed. On the left sidebar, you're free to use whatever fonts you think best fit with your project; you don't have to stick with the font that's used in test.htm for the left sidebar. However, for the right sidebar, you must use Arial, Helvetica Size 10 during your summary. Font changes you make to the game description are acceptable. Well, that's it! This is the entire Netscape Composer tutorial. Not exactly fancy, but then again most composition tools are friendly to use (except that nasty Microsoft Frontpage). You should be ready to make your page, and once you're done with your page you're ready to go on to the next step. Again, a Frontpage tutorial is available if you prefer to use that tool, and HTML instructions are also available. If you prefer now to have a QB Expo sponsor design your page instead, this option is also available. Do you feel that you're ready to develop your own QB Expo page? Yes, I am ready to make my own QB Expo page. Take me to the next step. No, I would rather make my QB Expo page using Microsoft Frontpage. No, I would rather make my QB Expo page using HTML. No, I would rather have one of the QB Expo sponsors design my webpage. |