Web Site Design -- help, hints and suggestions.

[Johnny Morningstar]

I've decided to try web page design. You know, something to boost my job security (my paper is changing ownership this summer) and to provide a playground for certain projects.

The problem is that I have no idea what I'm doing. Since that's never stopped me, I found a PageMill 2.0 for a Mac and created a few pages (using no frames).

I now understand that PageMill 2.0 went out with archaic English.

Any suggestions?

FYI: I'm using Mac OS X (Panther) and using Classic for certain programs until I can afford or acquire upgrades.

[Brandon Hanvey]

The two big web layout programs are DreamWeaver (http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/) and GoLive (http://www.adobe.com/products/golive/main.html).

Depending on the types of site you want to build, it would also be helpful if you learn some coding.

[kid cthulhu]

You could also "cheat" as I did with my site. Its a great way to get your stuff out there (whatever stuff that may be) without knowing any code. I'm currently studying code and will be able to make my site completely my own soon, but in the meantime, this is a great tool :

moonfruit (http://www.moonfruit.com)

[ScottDMSimmons]

I use Adobe GoLive for my website, and the ones I've built for others.

--Scott

[Johnny Morningstar]

Gah! Got a great deal on GoLive CS and threw a Wednesday at design (nothing else scheduled).

Anway, when it comes to selecting a host site, what should I look for when it comes to services? I'm designing a blog/portfolio site.

What's the difference between MS Hosting and regular hosting?

[ScottDMSimmons]

Anway, when it comes to selecting a host site, what should I look for when it comes to services? I'm designing a blog/portfolio site.

I use PARCOM (http://hosting.parcom.net). They have very reasonable prices.
The hosting only costs me $43.45 a year. I pay this once a year for a year's worth, thus getting my 12th month free.

You will also need to register a domain name. I forget how much that is, but you can set the terms of time to get the price best for you (I signed up for five years in 2003). It's quicker and easier if you do both hosting and registering with Parcom. If you register the domain name with them along with hosting, they usually can throw the webspace up there in 3 or 4 days. It sits there with an "under construction" image page until you upload your GoLive pages. Whichever GoLive page you have that says "index.htm" (not index.html) will replace this page as the page people will see first.

And I have a serious amount of images on my site (100 or so), so I feel confident that your portfolio will be quite okay with entry or basic level. I don't know what requirements blogs have, but really, if you have GoLive, typing up words in columns is a no-brainer, so you won't have to spend extra money for an official blog site. Just do everything yourself, and you'll save money and garner potential clients or potential employers. My site helped me get a few comics gigs, and my job teaching at the Art Institute.

Best of luck! Let us know when you site starts up!

--Scott

[Johnny Morningstar]

I want to learn web design to build my resume. My boss is selling the mom-and-pop weekly newspaper to a chain and I want to look as good as possible. I'm very paranoid because of past experiences... but that's another thread.

Anyway, I figured out how to get GoLive to register the server. Yay! Now, I can't figure out why my uploads aren't working. I figure its best to wait a few days (deadline and weekend) so I won't loose my cool and JOHN SMASH!

I'll definately link up the site here and in my signature when I get this sucker ready.

[Night]

What's the difference between MS Hosting and regular hosting?
MS hosting and UNIX hosting are different on what style of uploding and server side programming you want to do. MS you're looking at frontpage extentions and ASP programming. The UNIX system uses old CGI (common gateway interface, not movie graphics) and FTP.

It depends on what kind of investment you want to make in it. The ASP is a lot harder, requires more money investment (for the compilers and stuff), requires more upkeep (the standard keeps changing), and is inherently evil. However, if you can get past all of this, it's a lot eaiser to find a job that you will hate, but will make more money.

If you just want to make pages for yourself and other small time people, stick with CGI. Learn Perl and you should be able to make a decent blog/protfoli site... also there's more perl code to start you off with out there.

[Night]

I want to learn web design to build my resume. My boss is selling the mom-and-pop weekly newspaper to a chain and I want to look as good as possible. I'm very paranoid because of past experiences... but that's another thread.. Ok, for this Ignore everything I said on my last post. It doesn't matter for simple HTML. I would just use a generator like others said and learn HTML in your spare time.

[Johnny Morningstar]

I'm not so much worried about the design part. I can figure that out in time.

It's getting my computer to talk to the server that's blowing my mind at this point.

Thanks for the advice, everybody.

[sixstringguild]

I think one of the best things you could do is go read a book about website usability. Jakob Nielson and Steve Krug are two authors that come to mind. Nielson even has a website: www.useit.com. he's kind of a blow-hard when it comes to this stuff, but he sets the industry standards when it comes to usability...

[Johnny Morningstar]

With some help, I figured out why the pages were not showing.

NOW, the front page won't display the jpgs (even in the directory). And, for some reason nothing links up.

EDIT: Okay, got the jpgs to work on the front page (tip of the day: ORGANIZE YOUR FOLDERS UNDER A MASTER FOLDER). Still, linking to other pages still isn't working.

I'm (still) losing my hair.

[Johnny Morningstar]

BWA HA HA HA! I got the freaking thing to work! I can move on with my life!

[Jaye]

Congratulations !