First, we must put a "check" in the box that is located to the left of "index.html". This tells the File Manager what file we want to make changes in. This probably doesn't make much sense NOW, as we only have ONE file. But as time goes by, and pages (files) are added to your site, it WILL be important for the File Manager to know which file is involved.

After "checking" the box next to "index.html", we must then choose the Editor we would like to use. There are two to choose from (Basic and Advanced), which we discussed in Part 2. For our purpose, since we know NOTHING about HTML, or for THAT matter, we are not sure exactly of what we're doing, we will choose the Basic HTML Editor, as it was designed with US in mind!

Now, when it comes to editing (for us) the Basic Editor MUST be selected EVERY time. The reason for this is, when you enter the File Manager, the ADVANCED Editor has already been chosen by the File Manager. If you do NOT choose the Basic Editor over the Advanced Editor, you will end up using the Advanced one. And once you've chosen THAT editor, you may have to stick with it as there's little chance of being able to use the Basic Editor in the same way again.

In order to select the Basic Editor over the Advanced Editor, we must "click" the down arrow, located to the right of the "Choose Your Editor" box. After selecting our editor, we may THEN press the "EDIT" button, located right above the "Editor" box. We are then transported to the Basic Editor.

The Basic Editor is somewhat self-explanatory. At the top of the page, is a GeoCities "greeting", along with some "help" links (tips, procedures, suggestions, etc.). Below this is "Filename: index.html" (or whatever file you happen to be editing). "Index.html" is linked to our main page (for that matter, any filename in that slot is linked to that particular page involved). So, if we "click" it, we will be transported to our page, and we will see it the way others see it. This is a handy feature, as it allows you to see your changes after you've "saved" them WITHOUT having to leave the Editor!

Next, there is a box that we can "check" if we want to install our own images or background. Since we are not "familiar" with doing that yet, we will leave it "unchecked" (blank) and use the resources already provided by GeoCities. The first four catagories we come to are: BACKGROUND COLOR, TEXT COLOR, UNVISITED LINK COLOR, and VISITED LINK COLOR. These four catagories each have a box that we can open and make our selection from about eight of the most common colors. There is no figuring out what HTML tag to use to get that particular effect--its done for us by the Editor.

After we've chosen the colors we want for our background, text, unvisited links, and visited links, we have the option of choosing an icon for our page. The word "IMAGES" is highlighted so that we may "click" and go to a list of images. Unfortunately, we are allowed only ONE icon. Next, "PAGE TITLE". What is the title of our page? Right now, GeoCities has automatically put in a temporary title for us: "Soose's Home Page". We can either change that title, or keep the existing one. For our instructional purposes, we will keep the existing title.

"TITLE LINE" can be either the same title as "PAGE TITLE", or it can be a different title. Most of the time both sections have the same title. To the right of "TITLE LINE" is a box that we can open which lets us choose the size of print we want, and if we want it in italics, for the "TITLE LINE". Below "TITLE LINE" is "SECOND TITLE", with the same choices for the print size and if we want it in italics. The "SECOND TITLE" is equivalent to a "sub-title". It expands a little on the main title to give the reader more of a hint as to what our page is about.

Now, throughout the Editor page we will see a section called "SEPARATOR" (its in four different locations on the page). The word "separator" is highlighted so that we can see what they look like (they are also called "bars"). After viewing them, we can open the box and select the separator (or bar) we want. Separators help divide a page into different sections. That's why on our Editor page, we have a "separator choice" in four different places. You can choose the same separator each time, or a different one each time.

We now come to the BODY TEXT. This is considered the "meat" of our page. If you happen to know some HTML, you can use it here, as the Editor does not insert HTML tags in this section. This section is for whatever text we want to have on our page. Below that, is the second of the "SEPARATOR" choices.

Below that is where we can put links to other pages. In the Basic Editor, we are allowed space for up to 6 links. There are 2 columns of boxes. The left column is for the URL of the site we want to add (minus the http://, as the Editor automatically puts that in). The right column is for the title of the site that's connected to the URL in the left column. The third of the "SEPARATOR" choices is below that.

Next, is the "FOOTER TEXT". Again, if you know a little HTML, you may use it here. It is also for whatever text you want here. It is kind of like a "closing statement" to the page. Below that is a box with a question asking if we want our e-mail address to show at the bottom of our page. If its left blank, the e-mail address won't show. If the box IS "checked", then the address will be at the bottom of the page. Its probably a good idea if it shows as people viewing the page, may want to e-mail with comments. They cannot e-mail if there is no e-mail address visible. Finally, the last of the "SEPARATOR" choices is located below the e-mail option.

At the bottom of the Editor page are the buttons involved in changing and improving our page. They are: PREVIEW, SAVE, SAVE AND CONTINUE EDITING, RETURN TO FILE MANAGER, and RESET. GeoCities has a very good explanation below these buttons regarding the function of each. So I will not go into it here. The most common button is the "SAVE" button. After pressing it, any additions, deletions, ANY changes whatsoever are saved on our page.

Well, there you have it! You have just edited your new homepage using the Basic HTML Editor. As time passes, you will become more knowledgeable in what you are doing. Confidence will also play a major roll in how your homepage evolves; after all, if we're afraid to do ANYTHING, then naturally the homepage will not change or improve. But, if you're are enthusiastic and not afraid to "mess up", you can end up with a pretty good site!

Come back often as there will be future installments of "So You Want A Homepage, Huh?" coming soon! Don't forget, we will eventually "graduate" to the Advanced Editor!