Re: Xy and HTML [cross-post from NB]

[Daniel Say <say@xxxxxxxx>]

Frm: ROB RITTENHOUSE
Subject: Re: DOS to HTML utilities

Greg Carey <CAREY@xxxxxxxx> writes
 >I've just begun an HTML project for Vanderbilt's Divinity Library
 >using HTML Assistant. One may use any word processor to generate
 >text (just save files as ASCII text files with the .txt suffix). In
 >fact, really good HTML editors work out of word processors without
 >the mark-up tools. All HTML commands may be entered as text, and
 >don't require any fancy software. Finished files should be saved
 >with .htm suffixes for DOS, and .html suffixes for Unix.

Well, yes and no. HTML is a fairly simple markup language and
it's easy enough to draft, especially in a word processor that
makes it trivial to save to ASCII. Most of the editors such as
HTML Assist simplify making hypertext references but are rather
primitive as editors.

It's even fairly simple with Notabene (& I presume XyWrite) to
replace styles with appropriate HTML markup (buncha ci's). The
remaining issues are validity of HTML, correctness of links and
appearance. The latter can be checked by using a browser and
should generally not be a major concern (some people waste tons
of time making their stuff "look good" in say Netscape & it looks awful in Mosaic or
Lynx).
Validation really requires a validator (grammar checker).
HotMetal has one built in & it's very picky (but I dislike
HotMetal as an editor).
There are also some separate validators (e.g. HTMLCHEK) that I
have yet to play with.

But this thread is becoming increasing irrelevant to XyWrite.
========================================================================
Rob Rittenhouse  RRITTENHOUSE@xxxxxxxx  * Your new machines may simply
Associate Professor  Computer Science   * suggest new drudgeries.
McMurry University   Abilene TX 79697-0686 * Brecht, Galileo