If you are still reading, take a deep breath and relax. Probably everyone who has looked into the Internet has seen or has read about files associated with the letters HTML. As you see above, those letters are an acronym for a file format that can be read by graphical browsers on the Internet. Notice I said FORMAT, and NOT Language. The HTML format is based on the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). All HTML files are SGML files (the converse is not true, however--there are many other file formats described by SGML, so most SGML files are not in HTML format).
HoTMetaL PRO is an editor for creating HTML format files that can be read by such browsers as Mosaic and Netscape. To quote from the manual: "The main difference between an editor like HoTMetaL PRO and browsers such as Mosaic is that HoTMetaL PRO is for editing files, and browsers are for retrieving, displaying, and reading files. Any text editor can create an HTML file (but we believe that HoTMetaL PRO is a more convenient and pleasant way of doing it). Browsers open a file saved by HoTMetaL PRO, consisting of text and markup, and do things like screen formatting, generating graphical forms, issuing mail messages, and so forth. It's important to understand that the different kinds of programs do different things. There are many browsers available, and they can process the same HTML file in different ways--and these are outside the control of HoTMetaL PRO. What is in HoTMetaL PRO's control is creating correctly marked-up documents. You will find this important because documents are more easily interchanged (displayed by different people using different browsers, for example) when they conform to an agreed standard". "Some browsers have a command (usually called View Source... or a similar name) that lets you see what the HTML format looks like. HoTMetaL PRO provides an easy-to-use, graphical, structured editor for creating files in this format".
I quote the above from the manual for two reasons. The first is it gives a clear explanation of what this is about, and second, I would be embarrassed to tell how much time I spent trying to produce a simple webpage that displayed EXACTLY as I designed it! If I had paid a little closer attention to the above, I would not be suffering caffeine poisoning. Using both Mosaic and Netscape to view the sample webpage showed exactly the above. The documents did not hold the format exactly as they are, BUT-- both displayed all of the information in a very similar format showing that there is a commonality in HTML.
HoTMetaL PRO will import and convert files created in Word, WordPerfect, Ami PRO, and many other formats. It also contains an enhanced URL editor, a spell checker, thesaurus, full context-sensitive search and replace, and keyboard macro support. A built-in graphical table editor for creation of Mosaic or Netscape tables and templates for files, including a home page is also included.
The minimum system requirements are an 80486-33MHz CPU(pentium is optimal), 8MB of available RAM(12MB or more is optimal), MS_DOS v.3.1, and Windows 3.1 for the Windows version. Approximately 15 MB of space on the hard drive is also necessary. I installed from a CD and the process was both fast and simple with no problems occurring.
The manual is fairly straightforward, though it is a bit confusing when dealing with graphic images. Web pages contain links, referred to as "hot text", which usually appear blue in color when viewed by a browser. The cursor changes when placed over them, and clicking on them jumps to the file or graphic associated with the hot text. Graphics can contain "hot spots" which do the same thing, though creating them is much more involved than a hot text. This is one area where SoftQuad needs to do a little better job of explanation in the manual. Fortunately, actually using HoTMetaL is not much different than using a word processor.
Since HTML is a format, HoTMetaL PRO does the hard work for you. A well equipped menu, with many buttons is easy to use. The buttons utilize the current trend of info balloons. This pops up a 'balloon' with a description of each button in case you have difficulty deciphering the graphics. Turning on 'Rules Checking' automatically keeps track of your work on the fly and makes it easy to create files that conform. Several templates are included to help you get started. Substituting your information inside the template makes for fast and easy work. To see your work in progress, select File, Preview. A dialog box pops up to allow you to select a browser. Selecting a browser then automatically loads your current file and displays it. You can flip back and forth until you get your file or image to display in a satisfactory manner. If you wish, HoTMetaL will even help load your work to the Internet.
Here is a tip about memory: HoTMetaL PRO likes RAM! It will run with 8MB, but it is much faster and happier with more. Searching through the help files, turned up this useful info: '...you should have 8MB of AVAILABLE memory. To find out the amount you have available, from Windows, click on About..., note the amount stated, and then subtract the amount of disk space used for the swap file in Windows. This is approximately the amount of available memory you have'. This is paraphrased from the help section. An example of this is: say you have 8MB of actual memory, and clicking on About... claims you have 17MB of memory(including the swap file). If you have a 15MB swap file, you subtract 15MB from 17MB, leaving 2MB of available RAM. Looks like you are about 6MB shy. Anyway that is what the help section says. Note that I used 8MB actual memory and was able to get by fine. That is, fine AFTER I STARTED OPENING AND CLOSING ONE FILE AT A TIME. Having more than one open at a time would speed development considerably, but that is what requires the extra memory. Actually using HoTMetaL PRO is easier than it appears because it handles the formatting for you. All you have to do is be creative.
SoftQuad gives 30 days free technical support, beginning with your first call. Afterwards, one year is $100.00, or, you can call a 900 number for a per minute charge. They also sell Support Credits for $25.00, but you need to contact them for details on what a Support Credit is.
If you want to get involved with the Internet, and you intend to publish your own documents, this is a good product. Recommended!(with the caveat about memory noted).
I did not find HoTMetaL PRO locally, but it is available through the mail order houses for $187.00.
SoftQuad may be reached at:
SoftQuad