DevStart's Collaborative Web Design Resource HTMLPrimer.com is out of Beta

HTMLPrimer.com, a free web design resource and a part of the DevStart network of web sites, has successfully passed its preliminary beta phase of testing and is now open to the general public. The web site has been completely redesigned and is now using a modern open source Content Management System. The streamlined design and new features were implemented in order to bring the site into the Web 2.0 age, and to explore new venues for growth of the DevStart network.

The main feature of the web site is the Collaborative HTML Primer – a collection of HTML and CSS tutorials, which allows registered visitors to participate in the editing of the text. In many aspects, the Primer is similar to a generic wiki – it allows modifications of distinct sections of the page, and includes robust revision control in order to prevent spamming and to ensure high quality of the web design lessons. The Primer uses HTML mark-up: auto-creation of new sections and text formatting is done with traditional hypertext tags. For comparison, an ordinary wiki would normally employ a specialized syntax.

The redesigned website also included a selection of articles and a Technorati-registered blog, dedicated to the latest developments in design and development. The editorial team provides primarily content for an audience that is new to creating web pages, with the occasional tool or trick that are universally useful. Articles can also be submitted for approval and publication by registered site visitors.

“We envisioned HTMLPrimer.com as a resource, which does not contain any obsolete and confusing advice of the type so many sites offer,” said a Darren Tabor, CEO of DevStart, Inc. “All articles and lessons aim to provide only the latest and most practical approaches to writing good HTML and CSS. In order to ensure that, we’ve allowed our visitors to contribute by freely participating in the editing of the Primer, and by rating and commenting on all types of relevant content. In the same time, we rely on a dedicated editorial team to keep the site regularly updated.”

“The approach we took with the Primer was a departure from the proprietary platform we normally use,” said Jordan Ugrinov, a member of the in-house development team. “What we did with the site wouldn’t be possible without the effort of the coders and designers from a number of open source projects, and I hope we will be able to contribute back.”

The site’s new features include an Ajax voting system, a free color selection tool, social bookmarking buttons, and more. As the number of visitors and the amount of feedback go up, HTMLPrimer.com will also continue to expand its functionalities.


About DevStart, Inc.
DevStart, Inc. is a leading online provider of unique content and powerful tools for the web hosting, website promotion, and domain name registration industries. Since 1998, the DevStart Network has been a popular and trusted source of information and resources for webmasters. DevStart’s major properties include HostReview.com, PromotionWorld.com, DomainInformer.com, SBInformer.com, and a variety of other websites that cater to webmasters and online business owners.