Tips for Making my own Site?

[Lee Mac]

Hi Guys,

I think this is the most relevant section to post this thread, as it is not really CAD related.

I am looking to make my own site to house my programs, but I have no clue when it comes to making websites...

I would appreciate any help anyone is willing to give regarding costs (hopefully not much ~ only a student!), companies, software, etc...

Many thanks,

Lee

[StykFacE]

You can obviously start with a WYSIWYG editor such as Adobe Dreamweaver. That costs money and can actually do a lot right out of the box, but for starting out you can use something like Nvu.

I suggest learning the basics of HTML which quite honestly is not hard at ALL. especially since you know Lisp. Once you learn one language all the rest are easy to pick up. And also CSS, which is the way you style your page.

Any other questions you have when you get started, let me know.

[Cad64]

Well, for my site, I used Adobe Dreamweaver and hosted it on GoDaddy.com.

I was able to learn Dreamweaver, build my site and get it hosted before the 30 day trial period expired so it didn't cost me anything to build it. Well, it wasn't totally free. I did purchase a training dvd and there was some cost to get it hosted, but overall I think the total cost to get my site up and running was less than $200.

I ended up buying Dreamweaver after the trial ended, so I can update and do site maintenance, but the price is only $400, so it won't break the bank.

I've moved your question to the "Web Building" section.

[StykFacE]

Also, get familiar with how to use <div> tags. On of my best friend is the programmer and lead designer at http://www.odysseygrp.com/ and he has taught me a ton of tips from the trade.

[Lee Mac]

You can obviously start with a WYSIWYG editor such as Adobe Dreamweaver. That costs money and can actually do a lot right out of the box, but for starting out you can use something like Nvu.

I have seen Dreamweaver back at school, but not used it all that much - I shall look into this "Nvu".

I suggest learning the basics of HTML which quite honestly is not hard at ALL. especially since you know Lisp. Once you learn one language all the rest are easy to pick up. And also CSS, which is the way you style your page.

As for the HTML, I've dabbled in it only in created articles in the FAQ here - so not really much experience, but it doesn't really seem too hard to pick up.

Any other questions you have when you get started, let me know.

Cheers StykeMan, good to know you're only a post away

Well, for my site, I used Adobe Dreamweaver and hosted it on GoDaddy.com.

Nice site btw

I was able to learn Dreamweaver, build my site and get it hosted before the 30 day trial period expired so it didn't cost me anything to build it. Well, it wasn't totally free. I did purchase a training dvd and there was some cost to get it hosted, but overall I think the total cost to get my site up and running was less than $200.

May I ask, is the hosting the majority of this $200? I wasn't sure how much hosting was in general, and prices seem to vary quite a bit on the net.

I've moved your question to the "Web Building" section.

Cheers Dude

[CADTutor]

I am looking to make my own site to house my programs, but I have no clue when it comes to making websites...

Have you though about using a blog or CMS? Many people who just want a website and don't want (or need) to learn about web building use something like WordPress. Very simple to set up and free. All you'll need is the hosting.

[Zorg]

As advanced as you are in LISP Lee, web programming will be a doddle. Take some time to learn CSS, its the most commonly used web based programming. Also, it give you alot of design freedom. If you combine it with photoshop and explore all of its potential, your site designs are unlimited! Let me know if you need any help with the whole process buddy, I just finished making my friend's fathers site for his company.

Oh, and definatly get yourself Dreamweaver. With it, you could train a chimp to make a good looking website, and there's thousands of tutorials online.

Z

[StykFacE]

and there's thousands of tutorials online.

Not to mention plugins and extensions.

[Cad64]

May I ask, is the hosting the majority of this $200? I wasn't sure how much hosting was in general, and prices seem to vary quite a bit on the net.

They have different packages available and the pricing varies depending on the amount of storage space you require. I just renewed my contract and the particular plan I'm on is $84 a year. Check their website, because they're always having special offers.

[CADTutor]

Oh, and definatly get yourself Dreamweaver. With it, you could train a chimp to make a good looking website

Of course, if you want a website that looks as though it were designed by a chimp, that's a good approach.

Personally, I'd advise rather more caution in your approach to web design than some of the other contributors to this thread. It's true to say that XHTML and CSS are simple languages - in terms of their syntax. But good web design is about how that code is used. A site created in Dreamweaver may look good superficially but the generated coding will make you look like an amateur (or a chimp!).

There are basically two approaches here. Basically, you need to decide whether you want a website and you don't care about the art of web design OR you decide to become a web designer and create beautiful websites (both inside and out), taking into consideration accessibility, usability, findability, semantically correct markup, web standards compliance etc. etc.

What most people don't realise is that there's more to web design than meets the eye (literally).
The choice is yours - chimp or champ