What's the best website for learning HTML Semantically?

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+5 Q:

What's the best website for learning HTML Semantically?

Where should I point someone to learn the basics of HTML/CSS? I personally got my start from HTMLGoodies way back in the day, but while I thank Ken Burns for getting me going, I'm loathed to send someone out to that site nowadays as I think it's dated.

Obviously there are many sites out there that cumulatively contain all the information needed, but where to send someone new who you don't want to scare off?

edit:

I honestly thought I'd been missing something by not having used w3schools.com, but I see that within three pages of the tutorial (both html and xhtml) they use . Damned shame they're not encouraging semantics.

Anyone know something that gets people off on the right foot?

+1 A:

W3 Schools

Adam Neal 2008-12-17 19:42:09

+1 A:

look no further than http://www.w3schools.com/

mmattax 2008-12-17 19:42:22

looks like 2 others beat me to the "post your answer" button...

mmattax 2008-12-17 19:43:47

I was about to do that too!!

Jennifer 2008-12-17 19:44:12

+7 A:

Also, never underestimate the power of reading the source on well-written websites.

singpolyma 2008-12-17 20:04:58

Didn't deserve a negative rep for that. Reading other people's markup would be my homework assignment.

Steve Perks 2008-12-17 20:14:17

Some people learn best by looking at something that works, take it apart and then put it back together remixed. However, not everybody learns that way, just keep it in mind.

Redbeard 0x0A 2008-12-17 23:02:23

+3 A:

Read this book (Designing with Web Standards by Zeldman)

John Sheehan 2008-12-17 20:12:43

I find Zeldman to be more for people already in the game, although you shouldn't be in the game without having read it.

Steve Perks 2008-12-17 20:15:57

+1 A:

Exactly, I personally started off on HTMLGoodies, also. I think tizag.com is more updated.

Devoted 2008-12-17 20:16:00

I'm just a few pages in and can clearly see that this is the one I was looking for. Simple, friendly, and just like HTMLGoodies but without the clutter they introduced over the years. Still the dreaded bold tag though

Steve Perks 2008-12-17 20:23:44

+11 A:

I can't believe how many people are answering with w3schools. I couldn't recommend enough that people never EVER mention this place again. It is a terrible resource.

A few good places:

http://alistapart.com

http://www.quirksmode.org/

http://www.thinkvitamin.com/

Not complete, but alistapart.com is required reading for any web developer we hire.

Mike 2008-12-17 20:23:34

@Mike - I fully agree with the list as further reading, but I'm explicitly looking for places to send a complete newbee who I don't want to feel intimidated. HTML is easy, but you need to get over that first hump.

Steve Perks 2008-12-17 20:29:08

+1 for A List Apart

Redbeard 0x0A 2008-12-17 23:01:13

And +1 for whatever books Jeffrey Zeldman writes.

Mike 2008-12-17 23:22:14

I love A List Apart. We've just hired a new designer for artwork/logos and stuff. He's done a fair bit of flash, but he's never worked for the web before. I pointed him to A List Apart.

TRiG 2010-02-26 17:15:11

+2 A:

If you are really interested in teaching a newcomer HTML, IMO, http://www.w3schools.com/ is the best.

I would not let the use of the odd depreciated tag (like ) detract from what is an extremely well written site.

The try it yourself feature is excellent. Furthermore, it is very easy to unlearn stuff like align='center',  and  once you get the hang of CSS etc.

Most of us started off with the b tag and it wasn't a huge shock to have to start using strong instead :D

That said http://www.tizag.com/ is pretty good too

DrG 2008-12-17 20:52:17

I can't believe that people here are recommending W3Schools. That's the last place I would recommend anyone to go.

The one place I would recommend the user heading to is SitePoint. A lot of the articles there are aimed at advanced users, although the sheer quality of the forum and the beginner articles are too good to pass. I would also agree with Mike's recommendations as places to send a complete novice.

As far as getting the practical skill, the one thing I would recommend is opening up a text editor or a good IDE in text-editor mode and just writing a website to see what happens. Head to the Open Source Web Design page and see how others have created basic layouts, then apply that skill to your own.

EnderMB 2008-12-17 21:06:02

+2 A:

HtmlDog has a good set of guides for beginners, intermediate and advanced users. It also has useful references for all things HTML & CSS.

Macka 2008-12-17 21:11:45

I can't believe that people here are recommending W3Schools. That's the last place I would recommend anyone to go. For me its a great... Maybe isn't "the" reference website, but is a very good and practical cheatsheat about html and stuff...

The htmldom section is one of the best for me...

Ironicnet 2008-12-17 21:54:36

If you want a reference then the best place is easily the specification itself. Once you get a feel for the structure and you've read and tested enough source code from other sites you're more than capable of writing your own.

EnderMB 2008-12-19 05:47:45

+1 A:

I really like yourHTMLsource. Quirksmode and AlistApart are great. And Ajaxian is more advanced and wide resource of things. I began on w3schools, however soon this site became the one I avoid the most.

perfectDay 2008-12-17 22:56:26

If you speak German, the best Site for learning HTML is: (add http here)selfhtml(add dot here)org

Paul Weber 2009-05-19 15:27:08

Why not have a link? http://selfhtml.org.

TRiG 2010-02-26 17:18:19

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What's the best website for learning HTML Semantically?

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