How can I test out my HTML without uploading a page?

[BlueSideUp]

It's been a long time since I have written any HTML and I'd like to test out my pages before uploading. I seem to remember years ago when taking a class on HTML that I could test out a page using Internet Explorer but I can't remember how.

Is there a way to test out a page using Firefox or IE7? I tried searching on google and on the microsoft site.

[id10t]

Just open the file in your browser of choice. Of course, fi there is anything server-generated or dynamic (PHP scripting, server side includes, etc) it won't work...

[BlueSideUp]

Thank you for the reply...When I open the htm file in firefox or IE I still see it as I typed in the code with all of the code like this....

HTML

HEAD

BODY BACKGROUND="Jeep Background.jpg"

If I put the <> on my text above it causes problems with my text on the forum but they are there on my original coding.

I know I won't see the hosted items but shouldn't I see things like frames and background color?

[id10t]

Yup.

Any chance you are saving it with a .txt extension instead of .htm or .html ? All are plain text files, but the browser will render the HTML in a .html file (or .htm) but in a .txt file it will just display the contents

Also helps to be showing file extensions in windows (there is a setting under "tools" then "folder options" when you double click on "my computer")

[stomachmonkey]

If you are on a Mac then Apache, SQL and perl are installed already.

For plain old HTML just drop the pages into your Site folder.

url will be localhost://sitename-or-folder/index.html

If you need PHP and SQL they can be enabled but you better be comfortable with a command line

Easiest way to get the full suite up and running in 5 minutes is MAMP, (Mac, Apache, MySql, Perl)
http://www.mamp.info/en/index.php

For a PC find a WAMP installation. (Windows, Apache, MySql, Perl)

[robs944]

You need HTML tags <> in your code or all you will see is the text written.
Also you should remove the space in the jpg file (jeepbackground.jpg) or
in your code you need to put the URL encoder %20 were the space is.

< HTML >
< HEAD >
< body background="file:///c:/Jeep%20Background.jpg">

(there is a space between the tags and text above, so it could post and be seen)

Once you have it saved as a htm or html extension as mentioned it should
come up ok.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by robs944

You need HTML tags <> in your code or all you will see is the text written.
Also you should remove the space in the jpg file (jeepbackground.jpg) or
in your code you need to put the URL encoder %20 were the space is.

< HTML >
< HEAD >
< body background="file:///c:/Jeep%20Background.jpg">

(there is a space between the tags and text above, so it could post and be seen)

Once you have it saved as a htm or html extension as mentioned it should
come up ok.

He took them out to post the thread .

[robs944]

oops.........helps to read the entire post

[BlueSideUp]

Yeah it's weird...if I save someone else's page and look at it offline and then open it the page shows up normally. If I open one of my pages it only shows up as text.

I'll try screwing around with it a little more and then if that doesn't work I'll try a different machine.

The purpose is to allow me to work on my webpages when I'm commuting back and forth to work. Obviously no one is offering internet access on airplanes yet so I can't upload my html files.

BTW- Using the Thread Tools show Printable version feature is great for downloading threads for later reading.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by BlueSideUp

Yeah it's weird...if I save someone else's page and look at it offline and then open it the page shows up normally. If I open one of my pages it only shows up as text.

I'll try screwing around with it a little more and then if that doesn't work I'll try a different machine.

The purpose is to allow me to work on my webpages when I'm commuting back and forth to work. Obviously no one is offering internet access on airplanes yet so I can't upload my html files.

BTW- Using the Thread Tools show Printable version feature is great for downloading threads for later reading.

I work that way so it's best to have a full server environment on your laptop.

MAMP for the Mac,

WAMP for Windows,

LAMP if you want to go Linux.

Look into it.

[ikarcuaso]

Use an IDE or HTML editor with source and browse (or preview) modes, like Homesite. There are freeware and shareware programs available, as well. Here's a couple:

http://www.coffeecup.com/free-editor/

http://www.pagebreeze.com/

[911Rob]

I use Dreamweaver; works easy. ?

[BlueSideUp]

Thanks for the help. I think I was using Dreamweaver a while back but it was placing banner ads on my site that I didn't want. Of course I could be wrong since it was quite some time ago.

I'll report back once I'm successful.