O.G.CAT

Welcome to O.G.CAT: an archive of "Old Guides" (and tutorials) produced through the Center for the Advancement of Teaching in ancient times. For up-to-date information, please visit our wiki.

How the Web Works

These pages support a seminar series called How the Web Works, created by Bart Everson, the Center's Media Artist, from 2000 to 2006. As we put it way back when, "The series explores the concepts behind the technology of the World Wide Web, and aims to increase understanding of an information space that more and more of us are using daily." Much of this information is still relevant, in broad terms, to how the web works today; some of the details may be dated.

• Introduction to the Web
  Appropriate for anyone who wants to learn about the Web and the Internet.
  
  
• Introduction to HTML
  An introduction to the basic concepts of HTML, with guidelines on how to 'mark up' a document for the World Wide Web.
  
  
• Introduction to XHTML
  An overview of Extensible Hypertext Markup Language, the apparent succesor of HTML.
  
  
• Basics of Web Imaging
  Color modes, file formats, bit depth, compression schemes, Web-safe colors, good design practices, and more.
  
  
• Animation for the Web
  A few materials on file formats and basic concepts with links to animated examples.
  
  
• Using Style Sheets
  A fact sheet, a tutorial, and some links about the powerful concept of style sheets.
  
  
• Feeding Frenzy
  Have you noticed these little orange buttons that seem to be cropping up all over the World Wide Web?
  
  
• Using del.icio.us
  A better way to bookmark.
  
  
• Planning Your Website
  Tips on how to design your site and mange your workflow.
  
  

Older Tutorials

These pages were developed in support of workshops from 2001 and are included for historical completeness. The information provided may no longer be relevant.

• E-Moderating
  Managing on-line discussions.
  
  
• Using HomeSite
  An introduction to HomeSite, Allaire's HTML editor (Windows only).
  
  
• Using BBEdit
  An introduction to BBEdit, Bare Bones Software's HTML editor (Mac only).
  
  
• Teams and Team Assignments
  Formulas for success and recipes for disaster.