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Last updated on
1 December, 2008

Web Presence for Writers
with Laura Wright

REGISTRATION:

COST, LENGTH, PREREQUISITES:

No prerequisites.

Standard course: $180 / 6 weeks.
Extended schedule: $224 / 12 weeks. Extended course gives you two weeks to do each lesson but contains no additional material.

Click here to register or scroll to the bottom of this webpage.

Laura Wright at Laura.writes@yahoo.com

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To develop a basic knowledge of the internet, how it functions, how web sites are made, and the steps necessary to build your own web site.

Learn how easy it is to have your web presence! This course will walk you through the process of buying your domain, finding a hosting company, and publishing a web site you create. The easy-going format ensures that even the most non-technical participants can own and operate their own domains. Participants will learn how to hand-write HTML through a carefully paced process. Find where the best free resources are, what will help your site in the search engines, and what the more technical realms of domain ownership are.

I prefer to walk participants through the process as a colleague or associate. I maintain open communication and participants are allowed to email me at any time with questions or concerns.

Week 1:

• Opening Discussions
• What You Can Expect from This Course- projected outcome of participation
• Accessibility- maintaining the best practices as dictated by the W3C
• Comparisons- What types of web sites are available
• Browsers- How many are there? How do they differ?
• Introduction to HTML - The language of the web
• Introduction to Horizontal Rule (HR) - Create a horizontal rule on your web page. Learn to manipulate specific details and alter rule length.
• What About My Virtual Needs- Current web needs as opposed to web overkill.
• The Objective, of course- Your objective for participation.
• About Perfect HTML Coding- Is it possible to maintain "perfect" web code?
• Why Aren't You on the Web- Further exploration into logic behind domain.
• Find Your Connection Speed- Use appropriate formula to ascertain precise internet connection speed.
• Benefits of a SLOW Connection?- Around 44 million Americans are still "stuck" with dial-up access. Can this be a positive element?

Week 2:

• Opening Discussions
• Choose Your Web Service- What suits your current audience?
• The Condominium: Creating Your Blog
• The Apartment: The "Free" Site
• The Trailer: A Professionally Done Site
• What You Can Expect As A Domain Owner- Fact and fiction behind domain administration.
• HTML: Fonts and Breaks- Alter fonts and create line breaks.
• When Web Design Gets Annoying- The worst elements for your web site.
• All You Need To Know About Website Building And Hosting To Get You Started- A discussion to walk you through obtaining a domain, hosting service, and publishing your site.

Week 3:

• Readability- Presented in plain HTML with full color examples.
• Maintaining a Professional Image Online- Using your web presence wisely to achieve optimum results.
• Site Maps and Mazes- Navigation issues and common problems.
• HTML: Images and Links- Proper coding for inserting both images and links.
• Common Link Problems- Troubleshoot link problems.
• HTML Music- Insert audio files into your web file.

Week 4:

• HTML Editors- Common webmaster software.
• Choosing and Purchasing a Domain Name- Find a name to suit your purpose.
• Formatting Your Content- Polishing your content and making your pages reader-friendly.
• Common Web Page Errors- Correcting the most common errors associated with web pages.
• Web Site Checklist- Details you shouldn't overlook before publishing.

Week 5:

• Purchase That Domain- A walk-through to purchasing your domain.
• Avoid Plagiarism- What is online plagiarism and how do you avoid it?
• How Much Should You Publish? Sample Chapters are Best- Excerpts are better for visitors than too much material.
• Should You Feature Other Authors?
• To Frame or Not to Frame- Frames may seem impressive, but are they becoming outdated?
• XHTML- Learn how to adapt your HTML to XHTML.
• How Can You Protect Your Creations Online?
• The "No Right-Click" Script- Does this trick work?
• HTML Tables- Plain text lesson
• HTML- Troubleshooting

Week 6:

• The Host with The Most- The best hosting service.
• R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - Respect the Panel- Your control panel can make or break your site.
• Back It up- Quick tips on file back-ups and protecting your work.
• Updating Without Incapacitating
• Share Cropping the Web through Link Farming
• Link Leeches
• Hotlinking- This practice is a common problem online. Learn how to prevent it from happening to you.
• Fontzercise- Be certain you know how your fonts will render in other browsers before selecting.

Supplemental Materials:

• Extensions- Common file extensions and their respective programs.
• Folder Creation- Create folders online and offline to organize your work.
• Vocabulary- Glossary of terms for web designers.
• Accessibility Issue: Fonts
• Email Problems
• The Email Process
• Protect Your Health
• Does Your Site Have You?
• Code Red: Burnout
• Meta Myths- Introduction to Meta Tags
• Notepad
• Spam and Cookies
• Accessibility Issue: Graphics
• Accessibility Issue: Navigation
• FTP
• Search Engine Submission
• WHOIS
• Diagnosis: Worms
• Diagnosis: Trojans
• Diagnosis: Viruses
• Diagnosis: Browser Hijackers

Course also comes with free ebooks and tips on where to download free software that will help you on your way to webmaster success!

Laura Wright started Laurawrites.net in 2002 with the sole intention of promoting her writing. What started innocently enough became a full writing resource that continues to grow today. Wright now operates two domains [www.laurawrites.net, www.vacreeper.com] with a third in development. The writing ezine "Write Now!" as well as the "Macabre Monthly" short story downloads are free resources available at Laurawrites.net.

Wright teaches web design to other writers. Her teaching career began in 2007 with the then-new Absolute Write University. She now instructs writers on basic web topics as well as works as a resident Dreamweaver Expert for a company overseas.

Wright's published works include While I'm Dying, Timeslips & Terrors, and Virginia Creeper. She is an active member of the Horror Writers Association.