The hypertext markup language (HTML) used to develop pages for the world wide web also has potential for use in creating some types of multimedia instruction destined for CD-ROMs. After providing a brief overview of HTML, this document presents pros and cons relevant to CD-ROM production. HTML can offer compatibility to both Windows and Macintosh platforms, hypertext capabilities, a high degree of learner control over display characteristics, and a relatively small number of commands to master. On the other hand, HTML is not an authoring tool with the versatility of HyperCard and other similar aids; it is inflexible enough to limit control over interactivity and layout, and complicated enough to cause confusion at many stages in the process. Because HTML is a still-evolving standard, editing and conversion tools, reliable information, and even good advice are often hard to come by. Hardware and software requirements can be substantial, the UNIX-based environment is not always user-friendly, and special characters may not be readily incorporated into an HTML document. These drawbacks specific to HTML itself may be lessened with time, but even if they are surmounted, the designer must still be on guard against making poor design choices, such as making graphics too ambitious and fancy at the expense of informational content, using too many textured backgrounds, or choosing color combinations that hamper readability. (BEW)