Website software

[aquaverde]

I've been considering putting up a web page, just a personal page, for a while since I reputedly have 100Mb of space through my ISP. I'm not looking to win awards, but would like to put something decent up. Can someone recommend an application that is 1. user friendly to the non-HTML indoctrinated and 2. won't break the bank? Any other tips anyone would like to suggest for someone getting into writing a page are also appreciated.
thanks-

James

[GulfCoastAquarian]

I'd be willing to bet your ISP has a Website Wizard such as Trellix SiteBuilder or something similar (that's what Earthlink provides). I'd use that to get started.
If not, the only other HTML editing program I've ever used is Microsoft Frontpage. A bit tricky at first, once you get used to it, it's easy to whip out a neat webpage.

[aquaverde]

OK, I'll qualify my comments by saying I am only repeating something I heard but don't understand, but I heard Frontpage uses "dirty" HTML, which might be a negative. I'll check with the ISP to see what they have as a help. Thanks, Sam-

James

[wellbiz]

Frontpage works ok, but IMO Macromedia, is my first choice. You can usually pick up a copy on ebay for a good deal


Jason

[Matthew_Machine]

I know you said you're looking for a GUI-type program, but for $20 or less you could but a book on how to write HTML and learn it in a day or so. That's what I did. I got "HTML, A Beginner's Guide" by Willard, for $30 and now i understand HTML and wrote my first 3 sites with nothing but code, and now use GUI interfaces and understand what it's doing. You can't really just use a GUI program and expect it all to make sense anyway.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Yeah, I didn't want to suggest Notepad as a beginner's Web Page Development tool, but that's what I use now. Easiest thing to do is copy another simple web page to your hard drive, and open the html code in Notepad. Study the code until you know how to manipulate the parameters and make the web page your own. Do not plagarize, just use it to study the existing workable code.

[DLeDeaux]

Ahhhh notepad.

I used it for a long time, but then I moved on to something that had some syntax checking because debugging PHP scripts and javascript without any color coding is a PITA. Now I use a combination of PHPEdit and Antechinus Javascript Editor. Basically they are just notepad on steroids though.

The problem I always had with GUI editors was that I could never get them to look exactly how I wanted. Then to top it off the code from a GUI editor is very inefficient. They can raise the size of an HTML file by 3 times. Maybe they have gotten better, but my experiences with Hotdog Pro, and Frontpage have not been the best.

[Scorpion]

James,
who is your ISP? 100mb is a nice chunk of space

[aquaverde]

www.intergate.com

It's dialup, $10 a month. Also get 100 email addresses. What on earth you'd do with that, I don't know. So now you know. I'm cheap!
Also, I had to call them up twice on some technical question, and they actually have customer support. :shock:

James

[Scorpion]

Ahhh...dial up...
I don't know what that is

[Synapse]

Also get 100 email addresses. What on earth you'd do with that, I don't know.

Spammers know what to do with that... :evil:

[KyleT]

Here is what I did and do right now to create and maintain the site.

1) Buy this book
2)Download this html editor
3)Experiment

IMO the best way to go about building a website is by learning HTML. You can learn the basics within a couple of hours. HTML gives you much more control over your site than using an WYSIWYG editor.

A nice little tip: If you see a website you really like go to View>Source and see how they did it.

Kyle

[GDominy]

Originally Posted by Synapse

Spammers know what to do with that... :evil:

Actually... Spammers don't use real E-Mail Addresses. You don't need an E-Mail address to send spam.. you just need access to an SMTP server. Of course.. You can just run your own SMTP server on any old connection and do it that way, or send your spam through unknowing open SMTP servers on the net.

[johnd]

Originally Posted by aquaverde

I've been considering putting up a web page, just a personal page, for a while since I reputedly have 100Mb of space through my ISP. I'm not looking to win awards, but would like to put something decent up. Can someone recommend an application that is 1. user friendly to the non-HTML indoctrinated and 2. won't break the bank? Any other tips anyone would like to suggest for someone getting into writing a page are also appreciated.
thanks-

James

Are you using Microsoft Word? If so, I believe there is an option that says "save to html" so try looking for it. Although it is not the best software, the advantage is you do not need to know any html to get your first website online.

Try to understand how it all works. And as a tip keep all filenames in lowercase because some servers see file.gif and file.GIF as different names. Leave scripting (ie PHP, CGI) until you are comfortable with the whole process of creating, transfering your files online (uploading).

Good luck!

[lanstar]

Frontpage does make "dirty" html but it is extremely WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) simple for the beginner.

The program Kyle recommended is very good and helps you create good efficient html. HomeSite is another pretty good HTML development environment.

After you get your web site up and running, you might visit the link below. It is a page with links to several HTML validation tools where you can help make sure your page is compatible with various versions and flavors of web browsers.

Here's the link: http://www.flfsoft.com/html/html_validators.html

Good luck!

Tim