
             An  Overview  of  HTML  Shareware  Tools

                    <TITLE>HTML Editors</TITLE>

                  copywrite 1995  by Paul Kinnaly

 HyperText Markup Language is, in simple terms, the "programming language"
 of the World Wide Web. But don't let that reference to programming scare
 you away. HTML is really very simple and straightforward. All it does is
 "markup" an ASCII text file with "tags" which tell a Web Browser -like
 Mosaic or Netscape- how to display the file.

 Let's look at a quick example. Here is a very simple HTML tagged file:

 =====================================================
 <TITLE> A Simple HTML File</TITLE>
 <H1>This is a Level One Heading</H1>
 This is the first paragraph.
 <P>And this is the second.
 =====================================================

 The HTML tags are enclosed in brackets like this: < > and will not be
 displayed by a browser while the remaining text is what will show on the
 screen. Displayed in a browser, the above HTML text would look something
 like this:

 =====================================================

 A Simple HTML File

 This is a Level One Heading

 This is the first paragraph.

 And this is the second.

 =====================================================

 More complex markups can allow the browser to display lists, definitions,
 forms, pictures, etc. As very specific standardized tags must be used to
 generate each of these elements, the casual user might be discouraged
 from trying to write HTML. But, with the explosive growth of the Internet
 and the escalating interest in the Web, increasing numbers of people want
 the ability to create their own Home Page - either for personal or
 corporate use. To ease that process, a growing number of commercial,
 shareware, and freeware tools have appeared. These tools relieve the user
 of much of the burden of learning long lists of tags and markup rules.

 HTML tools fall into three broad categories. The first of these are
 "template tools". These packages are designed to work with a specific
 Windows-based word processing program. Typically, they act as an
 "add-on", integrating themselves with the program, providing additional
 menu selections, and using many of the host program's text formatting and
 display capabilities. Currently, the vast majority of such tools are
 designed to work with Microsoft's Word 6.0 although template tools for
 Word 2.0, AmiPro, and WordPerfect also exist.

 The second category of tools are the "stand-alone" editors. These tools
 are actually mini-word processors. They have basic text editing
 capabilities, and their menus and button bars concentrate on providing
 the user with a quick and easy method of "marking up" text.

 The third category are the converters; these are usually mini-programs
 that read in a file in one format and output a file in another. While
 similar features are part of several of the Word 6 template tools, these
 programs are generally designed to work with files that are not in a
 specific word processor format. Most are based on converting from Rich
 Text Format or PostSript to HTML.

 The primary focus of this article will be on the second category of HTML
 tools, the stand-alone editors. Other articles, in this and future issues
 of WindoWatch, will highlight some of the other HTML tools available.

 Most of the standalone editors allow you to import -or type- a plain text
 document. Using the menus or buttons available in the specific program,
 you then highlight a given section of text and mark it in accordance
 with your menu selection. In the simple example at the beginning of this
 article, for example, typing This is a Level One Heading, highlighting
 it, and selecting Heading Level 1 would cause the <H1> and </H1> tags
 to be placed on either end of the highlighted text.

 Unless otherwise stated in the individual descriptions, each of these
 editors has the ability to insert into a text document the markup tags
 for all basic HTML functions as prescribed in the current HTML 2.0
 specifications. Such tags include those marking Head, Body, Title,
 Paragraph, Heading (size), Lists, Links, Anchors, etc. They do not
 necessarily support insertion of all styles, forms, special characters,
 or other less commonly used elements of the 2.0 specifications; those
 that support these elements will be specifically identified. Similarly,
 those that support the as yet incomplete HTML 3.0 specifications or the
 special Netscape extensions to the 2.0 specs will also be identified
 below.

 Sources of information about or copies of each of the editors described
 are included in URL (Uniform Resource Locator) format, in brackets, for
 use in checking out any programs that appeal to you.

 HTMLed 1.2e

 This comprehensive $39 shareware program by Peter B. Crawshaw is
 available from [ftp://pringle.mta.ca/pub/HTMLed/]. The author has provided
 several means of entering just about every HTML tag used under the 2.0
 specification with one notable exception - forms. Besides comprehensive
 menus, the program has buttons for the most common markup tags and has the
 ability to utilize multiple floating button bars that can overlay the
 document being edited. One of the unique features of this editor is its
 ability to load and save files in either DOS or UNIX format, the latter
 saving one very important step in creating a document that must reside on
 a UNIX-based system. Creation and use of a template for standardizing HTML
 documents is also supported. Other menu selections include Elements,
 Lists, Links, Styles, and Entities. This latter menu offers the unique
 capability of formatting entry of not just common characters, but allows
 the user to input any ASCII character by value, supports the extended c
 aracter set of foreign language characters, and even handles various
 accent markings such as Umlaut and cedilla. Other menu selections include
 the capability to define the displayed fonts (for editing purposes only),
 create a custom floating toolbar - on which one can include some tags not
 otherwise included in the program, and conversion of the MOSAIC.INI file
 into an HTML document.

 The program does no error checking of its own, but does allow linking to
 a user-selected Browser. This allows you to quickly see the effect of any
 markup and correct it if necessary.

 The unregistered shareware version is fully functional, but includes no
 HELP file. Its weaknesses are primarily in its lack of direct support of
 the form function of HTML 2.0 and both the proposed HTML 3.0 and Netscape
 extensions to HTML 2.0. While this limits the fancy stuff, a user with a
 basic knowledge of HTML would be hard pressed to find a more
 comprehensive stand-alone editor for basic HTML documents.

 HTML Assistant 1.4

 The freeware version of a commercial program, HTML Assistant is written
 by Howard Harawitz; information may be obtained from
 [http://fox.nsth.ns.ca/~harawitz/] and the program itself is available
 for download from [ftp://ftp.cs.dal.ca/htmlasst/]. The freeware version
 is limited to files no larger than 32k, a generous size. This program has
 a relatively limited menu, but a wide array of buttons, including all the
 basic functions. An optional second button bar contains quick picks for
 further functions. One special button is called "User Tools". It comes
 defaulted to a Form tool and has the capability of adding in other user
 designed tools as desired. This feature allows the program to adapt to
 newer HTML tags which are not directly supported in the basic program.

 Like most of the other programs reviewed, HTML Assistant can call up your
 favorite browser to check your markup. A nice feature of the editor is
 an option to Autosave before test; this ensures your current working
 text is saved in a temp file to be used whenever you call up your browser
 to view the effects you have created. The program also has the ability to
 Autoconvert both Mosaic.ini and Cello bookmark files to URL lists which
 may then be pasted into your HTML text. A detailed HELP file for the
 program eases the process of creating HTML text for new users although
 the program itself performs no error-checking.

 The $99.95 commercial version adds several features to the freeware
 version including automatic page generation - this version was not
 reviewed.

 A surprising weakness of the program is the lack of a pre-defined
 capability to insert special characters, foreign characters, and accents.
 Nor does the program support HTML 3.0 or Netscape enhanced functions in
 its basic form. The User Tools capability will make up for some of
 this, but presupposes that the user knows enough about HTML to properly
 build such tools. Despite several nice features, the program requires a
 fairly extensive knowledge of HTML to be used effectively to construct
 more than just basic Web pages. If you have that knowledge, however, its
 interface offers you a speedy and fairly powerful tool to put that
 knowledge to use.

 HTML Writer

 Version 0.9beta4a is the most recent version of this program which may be
 obtained from [http://lal.cs.byu.edu/people/nosack]. The author, Kris
 Nosack, labels the program donationware; there are no time restrictions
 or other limitations on its usage but you are encouraged to send a
 donation, in an amount of your choice, to the author. The version number
 gives a clue that it is still under construction, but what has been
 built so far is quite comprehensive.

 An extensive button bar contains all the common HTML markup functions -
 including a Test button to call your favorite browser to check your work
 and a Strip button which will remove all HTML tags from the page. The
 menu includes virtually every HTML 2.0 feature which is not directly
 supported by buttons, including forms. Many selections open dialog boxes
 that are used to construct the desired element. The program even has a
 unique URL Builder function that helps ensure the all-important syntax
 of this item is properly done. An extensive list of special and foreign
 characters complements the other features of the program.

 The program contains a template feature, allowing the user to create up
 to four different templates for boiler-plate items of text. It also
 offers the user the ability to save files in UNIX format, should that be
 needed, as well as the option of an auto-save on test. One of the
 nicest features for a beginning user is a brief HTML tutorial which is
 included in the programs HELP file!

 While the program appears virtually all-inclusive in its support of the
 HTML 2.0 standard, it does not support any of the proposed HTML 3.0 or
 Netscape features nor does it offer the user the capability of adding
 in such support - as several other programs do. But, with the
 comprehensive support of the 2.0 standard and the beta status of the
 program, it is likely that such features will be forthcoming in future
 versions. All in all, it is a well-done program particularly for
 beginning-to-intermediate HTML users.

 HoTMetaL 1.0+ (SoftQuad)

 Another freeware version of a commercial program, HoTMetal is available
 from [http://www.sq.com/]. Of the editors mentioned in this article, this
 one is unique in providing a quasi-Browser view of the HTML source
 document without the necessity of running an external browser. Although
 the view is not truly WYSIWYG, it is a pretty realistic depiction of what
 a true Web Browser will present. Unfortunately, it has another
 distinction: its size. Unlike most of the other editors discussed here,
 which typically ZIP to less than 200k and consume less than a meg of disk
 space in use, HoTMetaL's self-extracting ZIP is almost 2.2megs and,
 unzipped, its main executable alone is 1,870k! So any space saved by not
 requiring a Browser to preview/check your work is lost to this program
 itself. The program can also call an external browser to see exactly what
 your output will look like on the Web.

 HoTMetaL is best described as a rule-based HTML editor; its default is to
 accept only those tags that are fully compliant with its standards.
 Unfortunately, its standards do not seem to fully comply with HTML 2.0 -
 leaving the user in the unenviable position of not knowing whether a
 given error is caused by a bad HTML or just a rules interpretation by
 HoTMetaL.  Yet the user must either create the HTML file in this program
 or import a previously marked up file through the rules checker to see
 the quasi-WYSIWYG output while editing. If the document doesnt pass the
 rules checker, the user can either import it as a text document -losing
 the WYSIWYG view- or allow HoTMetaL to strip the document of any markup
 it doesnt understand, an action that can render the document unusable if
 the program and the documents author dont quite see eye-to-eye!

 Unlike most of the other editors discussed here, HoTMetaL has no button
 bar and its menus are relatively limited. The principal insertion means
 is the use of the Markup, Insert Element (Ctrl-I) menu selection. This
 brings up a window with a comprehensive scrolling list of HTML elements,
 including those for both forms and tables. Another menu selection,
 Markup, Insert Character Entity (Ctrl-E), opens a window listing
 virtually every symbol, foreign character, and accent possible. One click
 on the desired symbol causes the appropriate markup to be inserted.

 The program includes a basic tutorial on HTML - written as a series of
 HTML documents - and instructions on how to modify the rules used by the
 program to allow it to accept most of the extensions to HTML 2.0 used by
 Netscape. This process, unfortunately, requires editing the programs INI
 file.

 While this program has its strengths, its size, finicky rules
 interpretations, coupled with a fairly slow and cumbersome method of
 marking up text, make it one of the less desirable editors for general
 use.

 WebWeaver 4.0a

 This is a relative newcomer to this field and information on it may be
 obtained from its author Mark McConnell at
 [http://www.tufts.edu/~mmcconne/]. WebWeaver displays a fairly limited
 button bar across the top of the screen and a second series of buttons
 down the right side. Along the top you have buttons for Bold, Italic, and
 Underline, three types of lists (Bulleted, Numbered and Descriptive),
 Levels 1-6 of Headings, Paragraph and Horizontal Rule. The Right Buttons
 are for Link, Picture, Anchor, View, and Strip. What makes these few
 buttons different is that many of them open up large dialog boxes
 specific to the function selected. For example, clicking on the
 Descriptive List button opens a dialog box in which the entire list is
 constructed. Several buttons are used to mark appropriate elements and
 even a mini-help section is visible. When the selection is complete, the
 Done button inserts the entire selection into your document at the
 current cursor position. This allows the construction of these parts of
 your document in a clear and straightforward manner, as a separate
 element.

 While the buttons are limited, they do cover the more common elements of
 most HTML documents. The menu selections cover most of the remaining
 ones. A couple of points worth noting: This is one of the few editors
 that includes selections for such HTML elements as <ISINDEX>, <NEXTID>,
 <LINK>, and <BASE>. It also has a menu selection for a variety of
 Netscape-specific elements such as <CENTER> and <BLINK>. It is, however,
 severely lacking in its capabilities to insert special characters or
 foreign language letters and accents.

 Clearly this program is a "work-in-progress". Many of the menu selections
 bring up a dialog box stating "This is not available in this version".
 Its shareware registration price of $8 reflects this fact. While I cannot
 recommend the program in its current form, its innovative usage of dialog
 boxes marks it as one to watch in the future. The author is currently at
 work on a new version, which might be available when this is published.

 WebWizard 1.1 (ARTA Software)

 This fascinating program is included here by default. It is, after all, a
 stand-alone. But unlike the other software discussed above, WebWizard is
 not an editor. It is, rather, an automatic HomePage generator! Modeled on
 the "wizards" included in much new software, WebWizard takes you through
 a multi-step, menued process which actually creates a basic HomePage,
 properly formatted and tagged. The program allows you to enter your own
 personal text, a picture, and links to your favorite Web sites. While you
 have no choice on the layout of the resulting file, the end product is a
 highly usable - if somewhat plain - Web HomePage. Using the WebWizard
 creation as a starting point, the more advanced user can edit the HTML
 file further to modify or expand the basic page as desired. The program
 might best be described as optional shareware; while there is no
 requirement to register, a $10 contribution to David Geller, the author,
 brings the user the promise of information on updates and enhancements.
 The program itself is available from [http://www.halcyon.com/webwizard/].

 Recommendations...

 As I examined each of these programs, I could not help but think how very
 nice it would be to have this feature from Program A plus that feature
 from Program B plus... But that may be possible. Most of these programs
 are under on-going development and most are available for free or a very
 small cost. Thus a user can easily get and try several programs to get
 the comprehensive features he or she desires. Better yet, most of the
 authors are easily reachable via Email. A message to one requesting a
 missing feature or suggesting a better way to handle an existing one is
 far more likely to receive consider-ation than a similar message to
 Microsoft or IBM - particularly if it accompanies a registration <GG>!

 Do you really need one of these programs to write HTML? No, you dont
 need one; as both the text and the markup tags are ASCII, any editor
 -even Notepad- will do. One can markup a text file in Notepad, save it,
 and launch a Browser to view the result. Then why get one (or more)?
 Because each of them makes it easier to ensure that you have properly
 entered the tag that does what you want done. You dont need to remember
 long lists of markup codes; the editor does that for you.

 Clearly, for the total novice, David Geller's WebWizard is the place to
 start. It will construct a basic HTML HomePage for you  without requiring
 any special HTML knowledge on your part. At that point one of the nicest
 features of HTML becomes available: you can look at what it has
 constructed and learn from its example. Open the file WebWizard has
 created in any of the other editors -or even Notepad- and you will see
 the tags that have been inserted to markup your text. This same
 capability of learning from others can be a great tool to improving your
 abilities with HTML. Whenever you see a Web page that intrigues you -
 "How did they do that?" - just save it with your browser and examine it
 with one of the editors. You may even be able to cut-and-paste the
 desired feature right into your own document.

 The HTML editors I've reviewed are similar to limited, special-purpose
 versions of full-featured word processing programs such as Word Perfect
 and Word for Windows. Just as users develop fierce personal loyalties to
 one word processing program, you may find the features of one of these
 editors appeal to you more than any of the others. I've tried to point
 out the principal features and limitations of each, but the final
 judgement is yours. Fortunately, all are easily available on the Internet
 for your testing. Pick one -or more- and give it a try. I look forward to
 seeing some of your newly-constructed HomePages in my journeys through
 cyberspace.

 Paul Kinnaly is a government bureaucrat from nine-to-five. The rest of
 the time he enjoys exploring new ways to use his computer. HTML and the
 Web are his latest playthings. He also beta tests Windows95, makes
 occasional posts to the Ilink and RIME Windows conferences, and -when the
 editor can catch him- assists with writing and proofreading WindoWatch.
 He can be reached at paul.kinnaly@channel1.com or via his HomePage,
 http://www.channel1.com/users/paulk/.

 **The editor caught him this time! Paul sat in the editor's chair for our
   HTML feature. I shouldn't brag but I will! lbl


                                      ww
