This is not the definitive Netscape Communicator guide. However, it should provide you with enough basic knowledge to get you started.

Before You Begin:

Before you begin, create a folder on your computer where you can store all the files in your Web site. It is wise to structure the folder on your computer as it will be on the Internet as the finished product.

Getting Started:

To get started you will need to have Netscape create a new blank page, or you can create a page using some templates Netscape provides. To do this click "File" at the top, then run your mouse down to "New". Select either "Black Page", or "Page From Template", or "Page From Wizard".

If you choose either the template or wizard, simply follow the directions provided by Netscape. If you choose "Blank Page", a new window will pop up that looks similar to Netscape's normal browse page.

Getting Familiar with Netscape:

There are three levels of tools.

The first level tool bar includes: File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Communicator, and Help. Listed are the most common features you will need to know.

• File is used for creating, saving, and editing files.

  New creates new pages.
  Open Page will open existing pages.
  Save saves the current document you are working on.
  

• Edit is used to edit and delete parts of the existing document you are working on.

  Undo will undo your last command in case you mes up.
  Delete deletes anything highlighted.
  Delete Table will delete all or parts of a table. (We'll discuss tables later)

   

• Insert is used to insert new features into a document.

  Link is used to link the page to other pages.
  Image is used to insert images into your document.
  Horizontal Line will put a line in your document
  Table will bring up a table building wizard.
  New Line Break adds vertical line breaks in your documents.
  

• Format is used to format existing parts of your document.

  The top section is totally for formatting existing text.
  For now, don't worry about the two middle sections.
  Table Properties changes the values and look of existing tables.
  Page Color and Properties is were you change the document title, and general page colors.

The Second level tool bar has many of the same features in the pull down menus of the first level tool bar.

The Third level tool bar is only for text.

Text:

If you start typing text in the blank window, you are actually typing words into your document. You may change the font style, size, color, and features from the third level tool bar. Play with that to get the hang of it. If you typed some text and you want to change any of the features of that existing text, highlight the text you wish change then select the appropriate tool.

Links:

To create a link, highlight the picture or the text you wish to turn into a link. Go to "Insert", then to "Link". In the box below "Link To" type in the path to the file you wish to link to to. Remember to use a relative link if the link is within your Web site. Press "OK".

Images:

Images are done much like links. In fact you are linking to the image file.

Tables:

Tables are one of the most difficult things for a new designer to use. Our only suggestion is to play with them to see if you can get the hang of it. Tables are useful for placing text or pictures in specific places on your page. Advanced Web designers use table on virtually every page they design. They are useful so if you have the patience to develop the skill of using them effectively, by all means have at it.

Spelling:

Netscape will check your Document's spelling if you so choose. It is located in the second level tool tar at the end.

Final Words:

These features should be enough to get you started. Don't be afraid of experimenting, just save your document before doing something you are not sure about. It's a good idea to save you document every couple of minutes in case Netscape crashes.