The versatility of HTML is such that it can be utilized to bring some very impressive special effects to your web site.
From utilities such as document viewers that drop down on the screen at the users request, through to wild and wacky graphic and sound effects that enhance your website and add to its individuality, the range is vast and varied.
The method used to create these effects is known as DHTML - or Dynamic HTML – and it is almost beyond limitations.
Using DHTML you can bring life to your web page that was previously thought unattainable, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
The aforementioned document viewer is a point in question: it is always useful for the user to have a quick access method, but the fact that this can be presented in many different ways leads to innovation on your site – if you prefer a drop down viewer you can have one, or if you prefer a tabulated viewer, that is available, too.
Moving towards the less practical and more decorative effects, you can create on your screen various ‘falling’ images that add to the interest of a site. These can be useful for seasonal effects – for instance, you could have on your site a fall of snow, or leaves blowing in the wind – or for a more surreal look a page that has bubbles drifting upwards and off the screen!
Further features of use – rather than for decoration – include an effect that allows the user to zoom in and magnify script on a page, particularly useful for viewing older or bigger documents that are compacted to fit the screen.
If you want – for some reason – to have a storm present on your web page, you can create lightning strikes at random, or a rainstorm in progress, make your viewer think he or she is floating in space or stage a spectacular fireworks display across the screen.
The possibilities really are endless, with the mundane and amusing available in equal proportion to the useful and helpful.
It is possible to frame a page in curtains, these opening as the viewer enters the page, or to border a page with a picture frame or other adornment for decorative effect.
Such is the variety of the effects available, even those with just a basic understanding of HTML can create web pages with dramatic impact and style, and with ease of use and functionality enhanced too.
It is worth bearing in mind that loading your web page with such effects to too great a degree can have an effect on the speed with which the page loads and operates, and that using these effects with due care is always advised.
There are too many effects and possibilities to go into in any detail here, but here is an excellent HTML Effects Resource:
