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What Software????
| Beyond the Basics |
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What Software???? |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA 
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Okay. . . this should be an interesting discussion. . . If I want to build a web site (which I do. . . btw). . . what software should I use? This is my first experience with doing this. I know very little HTML and really haven't the first clue on where to begin. Should I use the simplest programs available? Stick to what's offered at Geocities and the like? Or is there a program out there that will let me do a lot of neat things and talk to me in a way that doesn't leave me confused?? Let me tell you what I'd like to do: I'd like the site to feature my poetry, as well as some of that by fellow poets. I'd like to also include graphics, but not too many. I would also like to have voice files available for some of the poems so that people can get an idea of what the poems sound like. And of course, all of the regular stuff that most websites have. . . guestbook, links to other sites, etc. Ok?? Begin. . . --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Well, Sven, as far as the software out there, I have found it to be complicated. Something I need to learn. However, Xoom, Homestead, and Geocities offer free web space. I did make one on Geocities, which is now owned by Yahoo, and it's very easy to build a site on! And I fell across this yesterday, which left me upset. You might want to check this out before you decide to make a site. http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Are there really any sites who offer really "free" web hosting, without some catch? |
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Craig Member
since 1999-06-10
Posts 444 |
I’ve evaluated a lot of software for use by users who are PC literate but don’t have any knowledge of web page production. I’ve also done the same for users who aren’t particularly PC literate but can use a word processor. The main criteria in my evaluations was to find software that gave both groups enough control to produce usable pages in the shortest possible time and with as little training as I could get away with (cause I’d be the one doing the training). The second group were easy to please, they all used Word so all I needed to do was explain the concepts of links, bookmarks and URL’s and they were happily producing simple pages in minutes. The second group was a little harder, there are dozens of WYSIWYG editors to choose from, I tried a large number and finally decided on FrontPage. FrontPage gives you enough control to create and maintain complex sites with the minimum of training, it can be argued that it isn’t THE best editor around but what tipped it for me was it’s usability. Microsoft take a lot of stick, a lot of the time for good reason, but all their software has the same basic layout and feel, that means anyone who is even a little PC literate can find their way around it in a very short time. You have to bear in mind that these people have no intentions of learning HTML, they don't want to be Web Masters, they just want to produce decent looking pages as easily and as quickly as they can. With regard to Geocities and their online page builder – I happened to be asked by a friend to try and debug a page she’d built and uploaded. It took me a couple of minutes to get into their webpage creation software (an online build and FTP upload package). The problem turned out to be a line of spurious code inserted by the server on upload, it wasn’t fixable client side so I emailed the helpline giving the details. What I was impressed with was the ease of use, simple templates are available with text and image boxes that only require the user to enter their own details and hit the ‘save’ button (which at that point uploads the edited file to the server). For the more adventurous, or as the user becomes more proficient a really easy to use individual file upload is available which is similar to Ron’s photo upload feature here at Passions. My advice is if you have Internet Explorer in one of the later versions try the cut down version of FrontPage that ships free with it. Build a site at Geocities or the like to find your feet and then upload your own files when you feel they, and you, are ready. After all you can’t lose anything and I think you’ll learn quicker doing it than any other way. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
FRONT PAGE? That has to be the most confusing of them all! I tried Splash, and it's not too bad, except I can't figure out how to get their font to center on a border. But Front Page was a nightmare. Where you put stuff is NOT where it shows up. What a mess. Sorry Craig, for people who aren't learned, I don't think Front Page is user friendly. |
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Craig Member
since 1999-06-10
Posts 444 |
WhtDove FrontPage is simple for exact placement, just use tables.  |
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FlyHigh Member
since 2000-06-21
Posts 84Bekkestua, Norway |
If you are "newbie" you should use a wysiwyg editor. Dreamweaver/Frontpage etc. You get crappy code. If you are a "midbie" you should use a html editor. HomeSite is one of the best in my opinion. If you are a "highbie" you don't need such tools. You only need a highlighting texteditor and a css editor. For graphics the best tool is Adobe Photoshop, and it's ImageReady program. All programs mentioned has 30-eval versions. Hope it helps. =) Geir the webdesign - addict -- "Luck affects everything. Let your hook always be cast; in the stream where you least expect it there will be a fish." Ovid (BC 43-18 AD) |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Well, I've tried a few, like HotDog, Javamate, Coffeemate, Frontpage, and Trellix...but I find myself going back to one application: notepad. Tinker around, save your template, then make alterations to fit what you want....but then, I've always like difficult puzzles.  Alicat “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin |
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Vagabond Member
since 2004-01-23
Posts 163 |
I recommend useing notepad Vagabon the Lost One |
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garysgirl 
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
I also recommend using Notepad and HTML code. A good place to learn is Web Tech University. It's free, but very good. They teach it in courses. After learning HTML, CSS is the way to change your web pages all at the same time. I know this is on an old thread, but might help someone. Hugs, Ethel |
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