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1. Web authoring protocols
Introduction
In this report I will be discussing web authoring: Protocols, Design Conventions and Software in
relation to website design.
Web Authoring is a group of software that allows the user to develop a Web site. There are different
aspects of Web Authoring; Protocols, which is another word for rules, the rules that govern the
exchange of data and information over the internet. Design conventions which involve the rule if
third, colour schemes and so on. Finally, software.
Protocols
Protocols are rules you have to abide by when creating a website. These rules govern the
exchange of data and information over the internet. There are several protocols that I will go
into detail about.
URL
Firstly you must have a URL or uniform resource locator which is the web address for the
website. This is the web address for that website, for example www.google.co.uk is the URL of
google.
Domain Name
Secondly is the domain name, which is inessentially the name of the website, for example
Facebook.com.
Top level domain names
Top level domain names indicate the type of website or its location, location codes are at the
end of the URL for example; .UK, .IP, .IE. There are also organisation names; .org, .gov.
Domain name registration
Before you get your domain name you need to go to a domain name register, this is how users
buy a domain name; these are sold and managed by domain name registers. For example,
www.123-reg.co.uk is a website where users can buy a domain name.

2. ISP’s
To access the internet you need ISP’s this is the company to allows you to access the internet
for example; BT, Virgin and Sky.
Hosting
If you can’t afford to host your own server, there’re companies that will host your website on
their server, they store your website files on their servers which are available to others via the
internet. There is often a monthly or yearly fee for this. Wix.com is an example of a hosting site.
Web page naming conventions
The final protocol is called web page naming conventions, because websites are made up of lots
of pages all using the exact same URL, It is important that each web page has a suitable name
that reflects the content of that page. (/index.htm, /contact.htm, /about.htm). It is important
because it helps identify what the page is about.
Design Conventions
Design conventions are things you follow when designing a website to make it more aesthetically
pleasing
Rule of third
The rule of third is high priority when designing a website. It is a rule that is used for the layout and
composition of images and websites. Websites and images can be shared into thirds: three vertical
lines and three horizontal lines. Where those lines cross are “points of focus “. The eye is naturally
drawn to those positions. Websites that uses the rule of third are naturally more pleasing to the eye.
The frog picture is using the rule of thirds
because the frog its self is using the third of
the page whilst the other two thirds are
neutral. Furthermore, the frog is also on a
point of focus, in the bottom left where the
two lines intersect.

3. Colour schemes
There are 3 main colour schemes that a website can be designed with. Picking the right colour
scheme is important for setting a vibe for your website. The colour scheme of a website can reflect
how professional it is. There are 3 main colour schemes.
Monochromatic (one colour)
If a website uses monochromatic it means it only uses one colour, but it can use all the tints, tones
and shades of that colour. If a website wants to give a ‘warm/cool’ feeling it might use different
shades of blue. For example facebook use different shades of blue, it makes the website look
more established, welcoming and user friendlt because blue connotes mainly possitive
things.
Analogous (similar
colours)
Analogous colour scheme is one which uses similar
colours. Analogous colours are located next to each
other on the colour wheel. For example the costa
website colours are analogous there are using the top
middle to the right side of the colour wheel.
Complimentary colours
Complimentary colours are ones which are opposite, but visually work very well together. They are
always found opposite each other on the colour wheel .
This website uses complimentary colours
in red and green, if you look at the colour
wheel, red and green are opposites. The 2
colours complement each other well and
give off a ‘fruity’ vibe which is what they
are trying to do. Furthermore if you look
the web page you notice the green leaves
stand out with the dark red background
behind it which makes it look very nice.

4. Font size
Finding the right font for a website is important visually and for usability. Fonts are divided into two categories:
Serif and Sans Serif.
Font size and colour are also important in designing a webpage. Titles and sub-headings should be larger than
the text below them to show importance and to break the page and content up. The colour of the font should
contrast well with the background so it’s easier to read. Furthermore, paragraphs help break up long bit of
text, and help welcome you into the website.
Serif & Sans-Serif
Sans serif means the letters are clear and have no serif (or the flicks and the end of the letter). When you want
your writing to be easily read, for example in a letter you would always use sans serif, if
you want give the impression that your text is old fashioned or formal then you would use
serif.
Backgrounds
Backgrounds on website are generally either single colurs, patterns or images.
images
It is more difficult to find the right image for your website, it can also make the website slower to
load.
Single colours
Single colours should follow the colour scheme of your website to make it look more proffessional,
and keep the consistancy of the website. For example Facebook uses single colours because it’s the
most simplistic and its easy on the eyes, a social network like Facebook has a lot of writing on its
page so using simple colours would contrast best with all the writing.
Patterns
Patterns can also be used for the background of your website, but you should be careful when
choosing a pattern because it could disturb the content on the page if it doesn’t con trast well with
the rest of the website.
Software
Text edits pros and cons. Example; Notepad
Pros
 Faster to Edit- For simple edits, it is often faster to make changes to a page using a text
editor
 More Marketable
A Web Developer who can write HTML using a text editor will be more marketable.

5.  Human Readable HTML
This is especially important if you work on a team of Web developers. The HTML can be
spaced so your team likes it.
Cons
 Must Know HTML
although most HTML text editors can help with tags and suggest attributes and so on,
this is no substitute for knowing HTML.
 Steeper Learning Curve
because you have to learn both HTML and the editor functions itself, It will be harder for
a rookie to learn
Visual editors
For example; Dreamweaver and front page
Visual editors or full screen editors are editing programs which display the text being edited on the
screen as it is being edited, as opposed to line-oriented editors. (wiki)