23 January 2002

Well, teaching my dad the basics of HTML didn't go so badly. But it definitely could have gone better.

We talked about possible locations for his web page, and he resisted the idea of registering for a Mac.Com username to get their free webspace. Which is really too bad, because after I'd downloaded an FTP client for him, we discovered that he doesn't have the slightest idea what the password is for the account he does want to use.

So, we didn't get anything uploaded. We tromped back downstairs, and had dinner (I know it's prosaic, but I really do like corned beef and cabbage, with lots of mustard) and then we worked on design. He showed me a poster that he wanted to emulate, I sketched out some ideas, and then we went back up to the computer and wrote the bare basics of the HTML.

I showed him how to make tables, how to include images, and even how to define a CSS class. I rolled my eyes but didn't say anything over how big he wanted his text. (Dad refuses to wear his glasses unless he absolutely has to - I haven't worked at 800 x 600 resolution for ages.) I promised I'd help him take and crop pictures of the things he wanted graphics for.

In case you're curious - he makes engraved nametags for the Boy Scouts, and wants to have an online order form. Well, it won't actually be an order form, because his webhost doesn't allow CGI scripts - but it will be a pretty little webpage that shows all the different tags you can get, and the colors, and the prices, and it will have a link for people to e-mail him with orders. I'll post a link when he finally gets it together and posted; there's no rule that says he has to sell his tags only to the Boy Scouts.

And I just may, because I'm funny that way, build a true form, that calculates prices and automatically sends him the information, and host it over here. Not that it matters, because he can't take credit card payment, but what the heck? It'll keep us both amused for a while.

I just realized that I forgot to show him how to make a mailto link, but that's all right - he won't be ready to upload his little mini-site for quite some time.

If nothing else, he has to remember his password.

--Liz