If
you're technically skilled enough to surf the internet, why
not learn to build it? With the modern web tools available making
a simple website can be as easy as checking email online or
buying on Ebay. Why just consume other people's content? Let's
all
stop
complaining about the obnoxious porn and gambling online and
start contributing our own wit and wisdom.
Step
1: Choose your weapon. There are a variety of programs and learning
tools available for making a website. HTML
is the main programming code of
the web. As a beginner, your first pick should be a WYSIWYG (What You
See Is What You Get) HTML editor. Dreamweaver (adobe.com)
and GoLive (adobe.com) are
the luxury class. They come with luxury price tags as well, though. Other
options
range in price, power and ease of use. There are many shareware (cheap
or optional donations) and freeware programs for Macs and PCs (see
the chart).
You
can find these at tucows.com or
other software download sites. With these you can "drag
and drop" graphics, links, tables, text and other web content
and see the results as you go. Other options include handy "blogging" and "click
and build" technologies that enable you to create web sites
right in your web browser by cutting, pasting and uploading graphics
from your computer. Blogger.com is
an easy place for beginners to try this.
For an informal explanation of HTML with more depth go to: davesite.com/webstation/html.
Step
2: Get graphical. Almost any graphics program that creates ".JPG" or ".GIF" files
will work in a pinch. In general, the JPG format is for photos
or complex graphics. The GIF format is usually for buttons or
graphics with solid colors. The high roller graphics programs
are PhotoShop (adobe.com) and Fireworks (adobe.com). Photoshop Elements
is a solid and less expensive alternative. Again, like the HTML
editors, there are many cheap or free ones out there for downloading.
Have fun and try emulating the design styles you see on professional
sites.
Step 3: Upload. This gets trickier unless you're using one of the
blogging or click-and-build solutions. Otherwise, you'll need a server.
What's a server? Nevermind for now... Just begin by finding a site that provides server space and sign up. A nice one is Site5.com.
Many internet providers like Earthlink, Cox and others also offer
free web server space for their subscribers. Completely free server
space can be found at angelfire.com or geocities.com. They also include obnoxious
ads and pop-ups, though. All of these sites have "FTP information"--instructions
on how to upload your files to their servers.
When
your files are uploaded to the server, go online to your site
and check it out. Test it in Internet Explorer and Netscape on
both PC's and Macs. It may not be perfect, but it's a start. With
time, you can study and adapt to a professional level of web
design. You could also just do it as a hobby that will span the
globe. If you have a half-decent computer and a message, there
is nothing to keep you from starting right now.
No
time to learn? Or need a professional job done for a business or
organization? Just having trouble building a site, doing email, or
surfing the web? Contact ResonateArtsAndMedia.com for
quality and affordable expertise on websites, flash animation, streaming
media and other technical needs. Thanks!
