If you have a modern browser, take a look at the address bar above.

You should see a little GEC Computers in the Classroom icon just to the left of the actual Internet address for this page. If you were to bookmark this site, the little icon goes with the link as a visual to remind you about the site.

All of the good websites have them. CBC, Altavista, Google, GEC Computers in the Classroom...

Ideally, it would be part of a great style sheet that you apply uniformly throughout your site. Including it for display is as simple as creating the icon and making sure that your web page refers to it appropriately.

The following code needs to be entered into your webpage. I've got mine entered right under the title.

For this page, here's the code.

<link REL="SHORTCUT ICON" href="http://www.gecdsb.on.ca/d&g/apr03/favicon.ico">
(It's just a link to the file and the directory on the server where you'll find it!)

Now, for the technical part. There are some very specific rules that you must follow in order for it to work properly. The icon must be 16 pixels by 16 pixels with 16 colours. The Paint program that comes with your Operating System does a nice job.

Then, as you are developing your webpage in Claris Homepage or Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, you need to switch from the WYSISYG graphic design mode to the code design mode to actually enter the code above. Make sure that you have your favicon.ico file located in the right spot and you're all set.

The hard part, as always, is being creative!

But, once in place, you'll get a great looking favourite to bookmark your page and impress friends.

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