Guide for Creating Public Contract
Law Section Web Pages
Electronic Access Committee
Introduction
The hallmark for creating effective web pages is whether the end result clearly communicates the intended message to the members of the PCLS and the public. Because all of the ABA web pages must be in "HyperText Markup Language" (HTML) format, it is recommended that page creators have at least a minimum understanding of HTML. A good first time reference is A Beginner's Guide to HTML.
Page creators should, to the extent possible, adhere to the following guidelines.
- Source Files-A Simple Format is Best.
- Most of the common word processing applications
have the capability to save or convert the file to a HTML format.
However, try to avoid including complicated formatting and the use of
multiple fonts and font sizes in the source document. The appearance
of most web pages are controlled by the settings in the individual
client browser. Numerous embedded font type and size changes add
little to the end result, tend to slow the rendition of the page and
make page editing more difficult.
If your word processing program will not convert to HTML, you may want to try a Web-authoring tool (an HTML editor). A HTML editor may be available as part of the browser software. Feel free to contact members of the Electronic Access Committee for ideas on how to compose in HTML; we enjoy sharing ideas and strategies.
As a last resort, if an HTML copy of the file cannot be created, save the file in an ASCII "text" format and the Committee will try to create an appropriate HTML file
- Avoid Local Links to Your Computer/Server
- If you are using Web-authoring software to develop your pages, watch that the software does not create local "anchors" and "links" to your own system. If it does, please correct the html before sending the pages to the Committee. For example, if an image tag that should be <img src="/contract/images/pclbar.jpg"> comes out as <img src="http://yourcomputer/contract/images/pclbar.jpg">, then there's trouble in WEB City!
- File Names
- All file names should be in lowercase and must end with a ".html" suffix. File names should not include spaces, but may contain an underscore "_" or a dash"-". For ease of site maintenance, use descriptive file names. Use "agenda.html", "may97report.html", "bios.html" etc., rather than "1.html", "2.html", "3.html".
- Page Length
- Pages which require a great deal of scrolling to view the entire page should be avoided. Unless the page represents an actual document such as memorandum, letter or legal opinion, try to limit page length to three or four screens. Instead of long pages, break the page into discrete topics or chunks of information and use multiple linked pages.
- Graphics
- While graphics are an important element of web pages, the Electronic Access Committee recommends that graphics, other than standard ABA and PCLS graphics, be used cautiously for beginning web page designers. If non-standard graphics are used, be sure to include the graphic in a ".gif" or ".jpg" format when submitting files to the Committee for uploading to the PCLS web site. See the images page for available graphics.
- Tips
- Do not use all caps.
Include e-mail address whenever possible.
Do not use statements such as "click here", "link to ..." or "see page number.."
Use spell check before sending your files!!!
Edit your materials for the web site (delete page numbers or references such as "see our website at").
Above all - Have Fun
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