I need some serious help, if anyone out there knows of what I should use. I just bought a domain name (personal one) and found a web hosting site. What I want to know, is what software should I use to design the website,that is very easy to understand and run, since I am a rookie at this. All I am trying to do right now is develop a family site, just so I can learn how to do it. So, if you can help me, I am looking for some inexpensive software, that an idiot can figure out. Also, I wanted to know where I can go about and find a message board, maybe not as fancy as this one, to put on the site. Any information would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.....
wow... sounds like you jumped in head first! i would've suggested starting out with a free site like tripod and trying different demo versions of html programs/editors. IE actually comes with a basic html editor called FrontPage Express. Netscape also has a basic html editor called Composer (I think)... I like the full version of FrontPage. I definately don't use it to its potential but have fun anyway. The good thing is that alot of these HTML editors are WYSIWYG, like Microsoft Word... just a little bit more involved. Message boards... there are all kinds out there. You want a free one? Do a search on any search engine for free message boards. There are ALL kinds out there. Same for guestbooks. Alot of folks that post on here have webpages, so I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback! Good luck, have fun... rH ------------------ The Psychedelic Groove House of Rockets Basketball Love! Come and chat with us on game nights in CC.net chat!
You might check out http://www.sitepoint.com as they have many articles with tips, etc. on web design from beginners to advanced designers. They also have a message board where people can ask questions and usually get good answers. I know that there have been several very good free or near-free message boards talked about on those forums, as well as other tips, etc. Just another place to go where you could maybe find some more answers to your questions. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
Whoops, sorry didn't read the "I am looking for some inexpensive software, that an idiot can figure out" line. ------------------ Charles Barkley on TBS on the "fat track" poll: "What? 47% said I'd gain more.....why those.....they better be glad this is a family show." [This message has been edited by Rockets R' Us (edited February 16, 2001).] [This message has been edited by Rockets R' Us (edited February 16, 2001).]
double post ------------------ Charles Barkley on TBS on the "fat track" poll: "What? 47% said I'd gain more.....why those.....they better be glad this is a family show." [This message has been edited by Rockets R' Us (edited February 16, 2001).]
RocketBall Check with your hosting service to see if they provide a bulletin board type of program. I use C I Host and they provide a lot of amenities including a BB (included in the fee). ------------------
When you are tlking about software to design your site do you mean for graphics or for the HTML part? If it's for graphics then there are a lot of very expensive programs (PhotoShop). At school they have Corel Drawand that's pretty cool, but what I like to use is Adobe Photo Deluxe. Not a lot of people use it but it's pretty cool and it costs like $40. If you are talking about the HTML, like rockHEAD said some computer come with FrontPage Express. I still use that for Cuttino Mobley Online. But you can also write it yourself in notepad. Most message boards require CGI access for hosting, so you'll have to make sure you signed up for that with your webhost. If you want the same board as here, then you'll have to pay like $200 or you can download the freeversion at their site (infopop.com). Another cool message board is called vBullitan (http://www.vBulletin.com). It require php and a database form your server. I think it's less than $100 or you can download the lite version for free. I dowloaded the free version and it was very easy to install. If you are going to buy a BB program make sure you download the free version to make sure you can install it correctly. If you have anymore questions just post. ------------------ Cuttino Mobley Online
I used to use Adobe Pagemill. It was easy. I know Microsoft Frontpage is fairly easy and many sites use Frontpage extentions. I just recently got Adobe Go Live bundled with my new version of Photoshop (or Illustrator, don't remember which). It is pretty awesome and only cost me $99 since it came with the other software. It's about $300 new I believe but, man, does it make things easier. The only problem with Frontpage or Pagemill is that they have a tendancy to change your HTML code in ways that can be a little wierd. If you go in and edit the code manually, it won't always recognize it and sometimes will attempt to change it. For example, if you use a free counter where the code is just pasted into your page, some of those programs without the -->NOEDIT<-- tag will simply alter it to fit what it recognizes messing up that HTML. Try some out for free and see what you think. Almost all of them have free trial periods. Good luck! ------------------ Me fail English? That's unpossible.
For the average home user I would recomend Frontpage 2000 which is around $100 (I think). I personally use a combonation of NotePad and Dreamweaver. The new version of Dreamweaver as a cool split screne view to view both the WYSIWYG editor and the code at the same time. As far as graphics go I LOVE Imageready 3 which comes bundled with photoshop b/c it will do rollovers and imagemaps for you. If you plan to only use the WYSIWYG part of an HTML editor then go with Frontpage but I wouldnt try and edit it's code because as somebody already said it writes really bad code. If you want to be able to write HTML and use the WYSIWYG view go with dreamweaver 4. -------------------- ~John G (RocketsFan24@uReach.com)
I've looked at it and it really looks cool. I don't know if you have tried Go Live but it seems to be kinda the mini version of Dreamweaver. I like the idea of the split screen. That sounds cool. ------------------ Me fail English? That's unpossible.
Front page is good enough but it spits out some messy codes. But it's good enough to start out with. I use a combination of fireworks/dreamweaver to do my pages and coding. I found out that dreamweaver generates the cleanest codes. can do so many cool interactive things in the new Fireworks & Dreamweaver version 4! Everything from rollovers images to drilldown menus that's <strong>very easy</strong> to learn. I would recommend grabbing a fireworks/dreamweaver book and downloading them for free for 30 days or so. If you don't like it much, you can always return the book and delete the shareware application. If you have a deep pocket and like it, buy the software. If not i'm sure you could find a crack on the net somewhere... ------------------
A good free board that I just found is http://phpBB.com. It comes with all admin functions and fully customizable. You would need php support from your host or you can get a free host, FE http://www.f2s.com, that offers php hosting and a database. ------------------ Cuttino Mobley Online
