What is HTML?

HTML is the fundamental building block of web design: ultimately all of the technologies we discuss in this series revolve around the construction and manipulation of HTML. HTML is like the wood from which we construct an object: we can aim small and not have to know much, but if we want to build a mansion or a roller coaster, we'll have to know a bit more about its weight, density, strength, and other aspects.

HTML is used for a huge variety of things on the web, from building complex websites like GMail, Yahoo Mail, Windows Live Mail all the way to a simple course website or resume. Anyone hoping to publish content on the web should have a solid, basic understanding of HTML.

This workshop will take you through the basics of the HTML you'll need to build an effective and engaging web site. It will lay the groundwork for the rest of the Web Publishing series.

If you already have a solid understanding of HTML or are coming here after already attending the workshop feel free to skip ahead to the FAQ and external resources sections.