Common HTML and Birdnest Problems
How do I create and test my HTML
The easiest way to create a simple HTML file is using a basic text editor
such as Notepad. Enter your text and html tags into Notepad. To save your
work, save the file using a name such as "homework2.htm" to My Documents
on the C drive or to your Z drive. Be sure that you leave the
"Save as type" to be text.
To view the file that you just saved on your harddrive or your Z drive,
you will need to use a web browser, for example Internet Explorer.
Since the file is not on a web server, you need need to browse your
folders for the file:
- File
- Open...
- Browse...
- find the file under My Documents or your Z drive
- Open
- OK
How do I move a file from my Z drive, my flash drive, or My Documents to Birdnest
First, you need to have requested the creation of
a birdnest account. Second, for security reasons,
you can only edit birdnest pages from on-campus.
- Log into birdnest from Expression Web
- open Expression
- File
- Open ...
- type the full name of your web site, eg http://www.birdnest.org/dannellys2/
- Open
- enter your id and password
- copy the homework file from your machine (or Z drive) to birdnest
- File
- Import -> File...
- Add File
- find the file
- OK
The file you just imported should now show up in the top left window that lists all the files in
your birdnest account.
I already have a nice homepage, how do I add a link to my homework?
First, use notepad to get your homework looking like you want it. See the steps above for
how to create and test your HTML.
Second, log into Birdnest and use Expression Web to move your homework file onto birdnest, also
described above.
The file that holds your homepage is named "default.htm". Using Expression, edit default.htm.
At the bottom of the Expression window is a button labeled "Code". Click the code button and
Expression will show you the HTML code for your homepage. Go to the bottom of your code and
add a link to the file you just imported onto birdnest. (Hint: a link looks something like
<A href="... where the ... is the name of the file you just imported.)
I moved a file onto birdnest, but it does not show up as my homepage
The file name for your homepage is "default.htm". So, any file you name
default.htm becomes your homepage.
If you imported a file named "homework3.htm" that you want to be your
homepage, then rename it to "default.htm".
- find the file on the left side of Expression
- right click the file
- select Rename
- rename it default.htm
Now when you refresh Internet Explorer, you should see a new homepage.
I can't see my pictures
- First, make sure that you spelled everything correctly.
- Second, make sure that if you put the images in a folder, that you used that
folder name in the tag, e.g. <img src="images/mypicture.jpg">
- Third, make sure that you imported the picture files onto Birdnest
from your PC.
If the files do not show up on the left window pane of Expression,
then the files are not on Birdnest.
People can only see what you move onto Birdnest.
How can I get my Mac to Save as an .html file?
Mac users, click here for instructions.