HTML Is Key


Not all MySpace customizations are designed to make the pages flashier. Once you delve into this world, you'll find all sorts of things you can do to transform MySpace into your space.

The key to being able to modify MySpace beyond the features available from the service itself is that MySpace makes it possible to embed computer code called "HTML" (HyperText Markup Language) directly into certain parts of a user profile. With this code, users can do almost anything any Web designer could do, including change the background colors, add more pictures or videos, display animation, or link out to media or material on other Web sites.

HTML code looks a little like code from any programming language, and some tech-savvy MySpace users have taken the time to actually learn how to program in HTML, so that they can have a great deal of control over how their MySpace profile looks and works (Figure 7.1). But you don't really need to know anything about HTML to use it. That's because there are numerous Web sites that will automatically generate the code for you. All you have to do is copy it onto your Windows or Mac clipboard, point to the appropriate spot on your MySpace profile, and paste it in. Still, a little HTML knowledge goes a long way and will allow you to get the most out of the experience. We think that's a good thing, because it encourages teens to study HTML, which teaches them about Web design and computer programming, two skills that can be very useful for their futures.

Figure 7.1. Some (not all) HTML code is pretty hard to decipher, but it's definitely not rocket science, and there are lots of Web sites that will generate it for you.





MySpace Unraveled. A Parent's Guide to Teen Social Networking from the Directors of BlogSafety. com
MySpace Unraveled: A Parents Guide to Teen Social Networking
ISBN: 032148018X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 91

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