March 2nd, 2023
All you may need is HTML
Readers occasionally request which static HTML generator is used by fabiensanglard.net, and if they can take the same stylesheet/ fonts to start their own blog. I usually send back the whole 134 lines of gen.php[1] and invite them to copy whatever they need to get started[2].
I also add a, somewhat unsolicited, piece of advice. Writers who are getting started may not need any of this stuff. All you may need is HTML.
The bare minimum
Starter pack I recommend.
- A host for your
index.htmlfiles ➔ Hostgator $33/year plan. - A DNS pointing to the host ➔ Hostgator for an extra $12.95/year.
- Editor to write
index.htmlfiles ➔ Sublime Text[3] on all platforms. - Tool to upload the
index.htmlto the host ➔ Cyberduck[4] on Win/Mac and sshfs on Linux.
Why you may not need css
The fluff does not really matter much. Several articles in my hall of fame use the default font Times New Roman and blue hyperlinks.
- The 3D Software Rendering Technology of 1996’s Thief: The Dark Project (nothings.org).
- Lode’s Computer Graphics Tutorial (lodev.org).
- The Truth about Visplane Overflows (leekillough.com).
Check out nothings.org‘s beauty. It has everything it needs[5]. An author, a date, and awesome content for someone interested in real-time 3D.
Another example is Paul Graham’s straight-from-1998 layout website which does not prevent him from being a highly-regarded author.
The problems css solves
If you can stick to the same style long enough and also write articles for long enough, your style sheet can become your brand. Some people will love your style and some people will despise it. Mostly css appeals to our vanity and ego[6].
Why you may not need a website generator
By starting with a markup based generator, you rob yourselves of the
