Confusion abounds over DOCTYPE syntax

I can't validate a simple HTML file because of the DOCTYPE statement according to http://validator.w3.org/ . I used <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" that
I saw on http://www.aumha.org/html/lernhtml.htm , Basics of HTML of May 12, 2004.

There were 3 different formats for that DOCTYPE statement:
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN"

I have no idea which is proper for a simple Web Page that does nothing but show
an animated GIF as a test.

Interestingly enough URL http://www.aumha.org/html/lernhtml.htm , Basics of HTML 
of May 12, 2004, doesn't validate either.

What gives? Would someone please look at http://nickell.tierranet.com/alttest.html
and tell me what I should have used in order for that page to validate?

Thanks,
Don
dnickell@icehouse.net

Received on Thursday, 20 May 2004 08:01:29 UTC