What is HTML?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. A markup language combines text and extra information about the text. The extra information, related to the text's structure and presentation -- things like whether the text is bold, where it is positioned on the page, etc., that information is expressed using markup, which is intermingled with the ordinary text. In the case of HTML, the markup information is contained in "tags," which are easily recognizable by the < > symbols.

Usage
HTML is used to create web pages. No web designer or web developer can do his job without knowing at least some HTML. In the same time, the language is absolutely essential to people who are creating their first webpage or taking their business online.

Although the creation of HTML coincided with the creation of the World Wide Web more than 25 years ago, today it remains one of the core technologies behind the Internet. Virtually every webpage and web application has HTML as its basis. Additionally, HTML can be used on the desktop for formatting help files and documents.

History
HTML has been the standard for creating web pages since it was first introduced in the late 1980s by Tim Berners-Lee, in the form of the first web page and a specification for a collection of tags, or labels, for formatting information for use on the web. The original HTML specification described 22 elements, and 13 of those are valid today.

Today, the World Wide Web Consortium maintains the specifications for the the current version -- HTML 4.01. Work on HTML 5, as well as on CSS 3, is ongoing.

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Welcome to Allrecipes.com!

First we applied the Reverse Publishing concept to commemorative books with Legacy.com and social networking sites like CarePages.com. Then we added travel to the mix by employing our open API with our partner, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Skeptics have questioned what other categories of content might be applicable and, while we think all content is relevant for Reverse Publishing, we clearly need to prove it, category by category.

Today, we are excited to announce SharedBook's first Reverse Publishing partnership in the food category, with Allrecipes.com. If you have ever tried to use your computer in the kitchen, you'll be able to appreciate the practicality and fun of having your personal and most used recipes in one place in a professionally printed cookbook. Allrecipes' 'Create-A'Cookbook' is a one-click way to self-publish cookbooks from your favorite online and personal recipes. But, like everything else at SharedBook, it doesn't stop there. As with all of SharedBook's products, users can choose to preview and purchase their books immediately or to personalize them further. They can edit the content, upload additional information and photos, and invite family and friends into their personal book making space. SharedBook and Allrecipes together allow the user to simulate the common act of tearsheeting recipes plus have the personalization and collaboration tools of Web 2.0 to be able to add additional content. We welcome Allrecipes to the SharedBook platform and look forward to a great partnership.

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Recipes for Success

OK, so I like a good play on words. What can I say? And on this blog - I'm not alone.

Over the past few months Mor, Ann, and Ben have written a few entries about our Open API. Up until this past week, we have been eating our own cooking and adjusting the ingredients to get things just right. The fruits of our labor were our Blog2Print application and widget.

This past week represents a major step forward with our API - the launch of the AllRecipes.com Create-a-Cookbook. Based on the feedback we've received, there isn't any need for me to write about what a great product this is. Instead I want to point out HOW it was implemented.

This new book was built utilizing our API, and shows the flexibility of the application. And it takes full advantage of many of the features we first built to accommodate Blog2Print.

Take, for example, embedded photos. For each of the recipes, there is a spot for an accompanying image of the finished dish. The text for the details and ingredients print around the (right-aligned) image. Maybe this sounds simple, but what happens behind the scenes is rather complex. And the image itself is just a simple URL placed inside the text that is sent to our API.

We built this functionality using standard HTML formats and the examples of many blogs. Now that Blog2Print can handle this, the AllRecipes.com implementation was a snap.

Add a generous amount of our SharedBook core functions - like the auto creation of page numbers and the corresponding table of contents (what's a cookbook without an index of some kind?). Wrap it up with our customizable soft or hard cover (with your own personal photo) and you have a great pairing!

I expect we will thrill many chefs with a professional cookbook they build themselves. But I also think we will thrill many Webmasters who are looking for a simple way to implement a SharedBook from their site's content.

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Today I made a chair.

Working for a high-tech company can be very frustrating sometimes. Basically, what we all do is actually move virtual text from one place to another.

In all my years of experience I have worked for quite a few companies that developed various products. Products for billing, banking, e-commerce, online catalogs, etc ...

I never felt what I was doing was very exciting, and was never able to show others (family, friends) what I was actually doing. When asked, I usually answered "something with computers." Somewhere deep inside I always wished I was a carpenter, so I would be able to show everyone the new chair I just finished.

A CEO in one of the companies I worked for once told me a nice story. He was working as the VP of sales for a very big media & TV corporation. His daughter asked what he was doing at work and he began to explain all about the large corporation and all the responsibilities he had. The little child got confused and bored, but eventually understood two words: sale & TV. So she asked him very excitedly, "So Daddy, you are selling TVs? That's great!" imagining her Dad going from door to door.

I also have a hard time explaining to my three kids what I do at work. Somehow, Quality Assurance & Tech Support always comes down to – "Daddy is checking and fixing computers.”

All this has changed in SharedBook. Today I can come home and show them all the great memory books we are creating here, which are getting better and more beautiful with each new client. I have even created baby books for all of them, which came out wonderful and were praised by everyone who saw them.

Thanks to SharedBook, today I can finally show my family and friends the “chairs” I am making.

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Professional Web Site Design: 6 Tips Even the Amateur Aficionado Can Handle

By Marci Crane ; October 16th, 2007
Tagged: HTML • CSS • Design
Professional web site design is important but you don't have to be a licensed professional to get an online space that “says” professional web site design with confidence!


The following design tips will help you to achieve the look alike professional web site design that your business or personalize website has been waiting for.

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11 Web Design Tips

By John LaSpina ; September 4th, 2007
Tagged: HTML • CSS • Design
Before you start design on a website step back a minute – or two. Think about what a website is REALLY supposed to do for the client as well as the visitor. In its simplest form, a website is there to facilitate a transaction of information between it and the visitor. With this in mind, here are some tips for designing useful web sites:

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Why Should You Become Certified?

Life-long learning are the keywords to your future success.

Do you want a career with a future? You should add regular updates to your skills and knowledge. Unless, you have already decided that your current skills and job are good enough for your future.

Knowledge is power, especially in the current job market. Documentation of your skills enables you to move upwards in your organization.

Getting a certificate proves your commitment to upgrade your skills, gives you the credibility needed for more responsibilities, larger projects, and a higher salary.

In addition, documented knowledge is often the key factor when hiring new personnel. Your certificate might advance your career or help you to start a new one.

Also have in mind that employees with certifications increase their company's chances of retaining old and getting new customers. You will do your company a favor getting certified. Expect your company to support you in this.

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