Using HTML Authoring Tools at the UW
IT Connect > Web > Publishing > HTML Authoring Tools
HTML authoring tools can help you design and maintain a Web site. They do so by helping you to write HTML, to create and modify Web pages, and to publish your finished content to your Web directory. UW Information Technology provides very limited help desk support for these tools. Nevertheless, most can be used to create sites hosted on central UW Web servers. Please use the basic information below to learn more about using HTML authoring tools.
General Advice
Overview
HTML authoring tools such as Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft Expression Web, and Seamonkey Composer help you write HTML, often without having to learn it. Most HTML authoring tools feature:
- WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editing
- Optional source code editors to edit HTML directly
- Web page previewing with your Web browser
- Saving Web pages on your hard drive
- File transfer tools to help move your pages to a Web server
- A price tag
Using an HTML authoring tool goes something like this:
- Start your HTML authoring tool.
- Open your Web page(s) from your hard drive.
- Create/edit as needed.
- Preview your work.
- Save your work to your hard drive.
- When ready, move pages to your Web directory.
Settings
Our servers only support uploads using secure protocols such as SFTP. You should configure your HTML authoring tool to use this protocol. SFTP is also referred to as "Secure FTP." This protocol uses port 22, if you're asked what port to use.
Here is a list of common configuration variables you may need to set in your HTML authoring tool. These may be referred to by other names, in a different order. For example, "username" may be called "login."
| Variable | What you should use |
|---|---|
| hostname | Use the hostname of your Web development environment. (ovid.u.washington.edu or vergil.u.washington.edu) |
| directory | public_html or student_html (if you're both a student and staff or faculty uploading to your student Web site) |
| username | Your UW NetID |
Training
UW Information Technology Computer Training offers introductory and intermediate training courses for learning to use some common HTML authoring tools. Please refer to the HTML and Web Training category in the training catalog.
Campus educators, including faculty, librarians, instructors, teaching assistants, and instructional staff, can also take Learning and Scholarly Technologies workshops on a variety of topics relating to teaching with technology.
Making Sites That Work for Everyone
Most HTML authoring tools now include features to help you create Web sites that are accessible to the handicapped and that work well with other assistive technologies. Software companies including Microsoft, Adobe, and Apple have made major commitments to supporting accessible design. See the IT Connect - Accessibility site for further information.
Other Options
If you don't want to use one of the tools featured on this page, or you're more comfortable editing your HTML with a text editor, see our Writing Your Own Web Pages In HTML page.
