You should probably choose either Cracking the Code, Part I or Helping Hands. If you have not created a Web page before, I will be making some lessons (probably starting in January) to help you make your very own Web page.
If you have some more activities you would like to suggest, send me an e-mail!
Cracking the Code, Part 1. Learn the basics of HTML, the basic language of Web pages. We will do HTML coding by hand.
Helping Hands. Help a non-profit group, club or school make a Web page.
Cracking the Code-Part II. Use Web-authoring software like HoTMetaL, PageMill, Microsoft Word, BBEdit, etc. to create a Web page. Try some WYSIWIG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editors and some more technical coding editors. You can retrieve many of these for free off the Internet. Use a search engine to look for "HTML editors". Can you incorporate your knowledge of hands-on HTML coding with the ease of using a software program? What are the advantages of each?
Color My World. Use software like PaintShop Pro, Photoshop, etc. to learn about and create graphics for the Web. What is the difference between a GIF and a JPEG? How can you make a graphic transparent? How can you make a graphic smaller, so it doesn't take up so much space?
Danger Zone. Despite all the great things about the Web, people are still getting scammed by con artists. How can you protect yourself? What kinds of software can make on-line business transactions (such as credit card purchases) safer? There is so much information on the Web -- how can you distinguish between bogus stuff and legitimate facts?
Outbreak. What is a computer virus and how do you get one? More importantly, how do you protect yourself against viruses? What kind of software will help you avoid and get rid of viruses?
Search for Tomorrow. Use search engines to research a topic, look for a piece of equipment you want to buy, or find a lost person! Learn how to use the "and," and "or" commands to make a search more specific. Try different combinations of words to see what happens. Compare different search engines like Yahoo!, Alta Vista or hotbot. Which features of each do you like best?
You Mean I Get Paid For This? Check out careers in Web design and other computer-related jobs. Interview somebody in an Internet-related career (you could even do this by e-mail!) and ask them what experience they have, how they got interested in the job, etc. Post your interview on the 4-H Webmasters home page!
Head of the Class. Lots of classes and tutorials are available over the Internet. How could you find them? How much do they cost? How do you enroll? How could you help someone else get started?
Which ISP is which? Is your ISP (Internet Service Provider: the company that provides your e-mail service and Internet access) the best deal for you? Let's compare the possibilities. (Maybe you could post your findings on the Webmasters home page!)
Sweet Buy and Buy. Compare prices and features on computers. Help a friend or family member select a computer.
Tracking the Web. Few innovations in history are growing and changing as quickly as the Internet. Keep a scrapbook of articles that interest you.
BizNet. Plan a small business that you could promote or run via the Web.
Anybody Out There? Investigate chatrooms, newsgroups and mailing lists. Find out who else is using the Web and why.
Spreading the Word. Write an article about Webmasters for your local newspaper or pitch the story to a TV or radio station.
Integration. Use your Webmaster knowledge to support another 4-H project: yours or a friend's.
Making the Grade. Bring Webmasters into the classroom: Write a paper about the Webmasters Club, or use your knowledge from this project as part of another school project.
Just Browsing. Compare two different graphical Web browsers (such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator). Learn to get maximum performance out of your browser.
So They Think They Know Me, Huh? Compare some Web sites for youth. How could you make them better? Review a few youth or teen sites and write a review about them. We could post it on the 4-H Webmasters site! Also, look at companies that manufacture products for kids, such as toys, games, clothes, etc. How are they using the Web to reach young people? Are they effective?
The Good, The Bad and the Boring. Compare Web sites in a similar area (such as horses, basketball, Salt Lake City, etc.). How are they different? Similar? Write down some of the features that make a good Web page.
Brand New Surfer. Find somebody who knows nothing about the Web. Help them get on-line and surf around.
There is a Free Lunch! Learn to download free software, games, etc. from the Web.