I live in Spain and work for a small non-profit organisation called Amata; I am responsible for the web site and the graphics of the publicity. You can look at my web site at www.amata.es but I must emphasise that this was written using other web design programs. Most of my work over the last 20 years has been done in graphic design (leaflets, posters, commercial printwork etc.) and before that I have written several handbooks on DIY. But I do not have much experience with computer speak or program languages - I usually learn just enough to be able to make use of what is available. Recently a German friend, who speaks very little English (I can speak a fair amount of German) and knows nothing about web design asked me to design a web site which he would like to maintain himself. So I looked for a German language web design program, and to my delight found DFM2HTML. I think that, once I have set up the site, he can make the small changes himself if I show him how this is done.

The program is not perfect, but it can handle - I think - most of my requirements. However, learning to use it is not very easy, since the only help is a very terse tutorial written by Jörg Kiegeland himself. I spent three weeks trying to find out how to get this program to handle fairly basic procedures, and most of the features I do not understand at all. I decided that what this program needs is not more bells and whistles, but a basic handbook for the complete idiot, namely me.

I am currently writing this handbook as I struggle to understand the niceties of DFM2HTML. If you feel you can help me by explaining all sorts of mysterious niceties and features I haven't mentioned (e.g. styles and forms), feel free to send me an e-mail. If you feel I have explained something badly, or actually made a mistake, let me know. I need all the help I can get, but when I have finished we should be able to help other people use this very special program.

The handbook will be completely free, just as the DFM2HTML program is completely free, and I sincerely hope it will enable a lot more ordinary people to have a go.

I can be reached on janfrank@amata.es I am basically English speaking with good Dutch, a smattering of German and Spanish, and schoolboy French. Please don't confuse me with computer speak in languages other than English, and in fact, try to avoid computer speak