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HTML is the language spoken by the machine you are sitting with now. You might think it's a really smart gadget, but in reality, it doesn't know how to create what you want to see unless you tell it precisely what and how. It also doesn't understand what you are screaming when you get mad and tell it "I SAID RED STUPID MACHINE!". It needs you to tell it using its own language. That means you have to learn another language. So set your English, French, or Spanish aside. It's time to speak code!

HTML stands for HYPER TEXT MARKUP LANGUAGE. This language is only understood if put in proper order and if it is contained in the proper context...just like the language you speak. HTML's proper context would be inside of brackets, like this:

You use the first one to demonstrate that you have a command, and the command will be inside those brackets. The second is used to demonstrate that you no longer wish for that command to be used. The items you place between the first set of brackets and the second set of brackets will be affected by the command you place inside the bracket.

The next set of links will take you to pages that will actually teach you to use this language. You don't have to follow them in order if you choose not to, but it is recommended that you do so if you are brand new to HTML.