htmlover Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Hello everyone,This is my first post here. Recently I started reading some things on this site just for the heck of it and before I knew it I went from thinking HTML was an alien language to starting on my first site. As always it's very basic since I'm new but after reading a lot of the posts here I'm noticing that you are all so friendly and helpful to each other so I was hoping I could feel some of that love. I have devoted each paragraph to a particular issue that I have so please...if you have the answers to just one that is plenty of help for me. I really appreciate any responses that you guys can give & thanks in advance.With that said, let me get down to it. I've been visiting some sites that have general background templates that are just beautiful and each one is specific to the different types of sites that a person could create. I don't know how to use Flash, Photoshop or anything else but I've just started playing with those as well. I was just wondering if anyone here knew where I could go for a good start on creating my own background designs that I could implement into my HTML sites. Currently I'm using CoffeeCup HTML Editor and it is good for someone that is new to HTML (like me) but I was also wondering if anyone could recommend any other programs that have worked well. The program I'm using does a lot of things for me then generates the HTML text for me which is great because it generates the codes so I can learn what is the right way but I'm getting comfortable with HTML really fast so I don't know what the next step would be.With the sites that I've been playing around with I really want to add some video clips and other things on them that people could download. Anyone know how I could do that? I haven't tried anything and I have no idea where to start so any information on this would be greatly appreciated.Lastly, I have created all of my pages and I have my domain name registered but I have no idea how to link the two. I heard that I need to use FTP software to upload files to the server and I'm reading up on that so I was just wondering if I'm on the right track. Also, whenever I find a hosting company do all of them have tools that I could use to upload the pages that I created to the site? Thank you all for reading this and to anyone that posted a response with any bits of information I owe you all a big one. Shouldn't take me long to pick on this HTML thing...I have absolutely no talent whatsoever but I've finally found something that I just LOVE and if I can help anyone with anything in the future I would be more than glad to.Thanks again,Andy A. - HTMLover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkDF Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Hi Andy,As a relative newbie who was just helped out here, I feel the need to pass it on. Here's some tips that I found helpful:1. Bite down and buy one of those doorstop books on HTML and Javascript. They generally cover everything you'll want initially and will hang around as good references on hand. They run $20 to $40, but if you really want to play, they're worth the investment. Adding things like video clips, etc., is a matter of coding, so you need to learn it.2. My experience with webhosts is that they generally offer the same services for different prices. You'll have to judge for yourself what you want to pay and what for. FYI, you'll find for every webhost recommend, someone else hates the same host, so go with your gut. My host has pretty decent forums for advice and provides an easy FTP software for free. Tip: your main page should typically be named index"dot"html.3. Don't be afraid to edit the code your HTML program spits out. Personally, I find it more helpful to screw it up to see what stops working in order to understand what something does. If you don't want to lose the HTML program version, just save a new version with a different name and muck that up.4. This is one of the best sites I've found for learning and help. 5. You're on the right track with Photoshop for original images. You can even use your own digital photographs as gifs or jpgs as background images.Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S@m Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Dreamweaver is (pretty much) the industry standard. Now that Adobe bought everything, I can't see GoLive hanging around long.Check out the sites that you like for images. Do a search for photoshop tutorials. That will bring up TONS of links. Biggest thing is practice, practice, practice.As far as FTP, you will need something yes. Here is a good freeware application.LINKAGEDreamweaver has built in FTP functionality as well.I'm not sure if I understand your linking questions. To link to each page, you just need:HTML <a href="your_file.html">Link name goes here</a> Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htmlover Posted June 19, 2006 Author Share Posted June 19, 2006 "I'm not sure if I understand your linking questions. To link to each page, you just need:HTML"Thanks to both of you for your replies. I really needed some input and I'm feeling comfortable with what you guys said. As far as to what you said S@m, when I was talking about linking I was referring to the link between having all of my pages done and getting those completed pages online to have a fully functioning site. I know I have to use FTP software to get the site online but I was wondering if there was anything else that I have to do or if I just upload the completed web pages to the site using an FTP software and expect things to work. Hope that explains things a little more.Hey MarkDF, is there are particular book that worked well for you? If so, what do you recommend and where do you suggest I get it?Thanks again to both of you for your reply.Andy A. - HTMLover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott100 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I know I have to use FTP software to get the site online but I was wondering if there was anything else that I have to do or if I just upload the completed web pages to the site using an FTP software and expect things to work.How are you linking to your pages/images?Sometimes that can trip up a newcomer, if your links are absolute on your hardrive then this will cause you problems when you upload.So this would work ok on the local pc but if you uploaded it to the web you'd have problems because other people wouldn't see it.<img src="c:\mywebsite\images\background.jpg" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htmlover Posted June 20, 2006 Author Share Posted June 20, 2006 Thanks for that tip...that helped me out with a few links I had set up.Anyonw know what's a good web hosting service? I'm seeing so many but I'm nervous on making a committment with a small amount of experience.Thanks for you help guys,Andy A. - HTMLover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aspnetguy Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Brinkster.com is a good company. They offer Linux/Windows hosting for as little as 4.95/mth.You can try their 'educational' package for free if you are worried about their service. I have always found them a great company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justsomeguy Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 This might not be the best idea for someone starting out, but I prefer geekhosting.com because they give me a lot of control over the server for a good price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkDF Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 I have an old edition of an HTML 4.0 book whose name escapes me at the moment---it's mainly dark purple cover if that rings a bell for anyone.For javascript, I just bought Beginning Javascript 2e by Paul Wilton. You can get in at Barnes and Noble online or the store or Amazon. After struggling with javascript, I bought this book for one main reason: he tells you what parameters to use and when to use them . I'd already figured out my semicolon problems by then, but I figured if Wilton made a point of explaining the semi, I'd probably like the book and so far I haven't been disappointed (too many coding books overlook obvious stumbling blocks for newbies...like assuming you'll now what the parameter is and why because, heck, it's in the example, just copy it and move on).Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aspnetguy Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 I have an old edition of an HTML 4.0 book whose name escapes me at the moment---it's mainly dark purple cover if that rings a bell for anyone.For javascript, I just bought Beginning Javascript 2e by Paul Wilton. You can get in at Barnes and Noble online or the store or Amazon. After struggling with javascript, I bought this book for one main reason: he tells you what parameters to use and when to use them . I'd already figured out my semicolon problems by then, but I figured if Wilton made a point of explaining the semi, I'd probably like the book and so far I haven't been disappointed (too many coding books overlook obvious stumbling blocks for newbies...like assuming you'll now what the parameter is and why because, heck, it's in the example, just copy it and move on).Anyway, that's my 2 cents.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> That being said not all books are meant for newbies. You should keep that in mind when buying a book.I made that mistake when a year ago whne I first started thinking about learning C++. I bought a book only to find it was for advanced users and the author expected that the reader had read his previous book on the subject. That discouraged me right off and it took me 6 months to get back into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott100 Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 That being said not all books are meant for newbies. You should keep that in mind when buying a book.That's true, categories is see are beginner, intermediate and advanced. So if your just starting out look on the back of the book and make sure the first/second are ticked.If your buying online them i'm sure it would say somewhere, but you might need to hunt the page for it. If your buying from amazon i like to read the comments that others have posted, it gives you an idea of what level the book is at and if it's rubbish or not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htmlover Posted June 28, 2006 Author Share Posted June 28, 2006 That's true, categories is see are beginner, intermediate and advanced. So if your just starting out look on the back of the book and make sure the first/second are ticked.If your buying online them i'm sure it would say somewhere, but you might need to hunt the page for it. If your buying from amazon i like to read the comments that others have posted, it gives you an idea of what level the book is at and if it's rubbish or not <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for all your replies...you're right I made that mistake when I bought Web Site Building for Dummies or something like that from the "For Dummies" books from the internet. It was supposed to be for beginners but in the first chapter it tells you all the things they expect you to alrady know. That really bugged me since I thought that was the point of buying a beginner's book. Anyhow, I've checked out the web hosting companies you guys mentioned and they're great. I've found one called iPowerWeb. Anyone ever heard of it? Looks like they offer a lot so I'm still giving this some thought. As a newbie one thing I'm not understanding is...I could use HTML to create a guestbook section where people type things in then submit them but I'm finding that a lot of web hosting companies offer a guestbook so is one better to use than the other? I'll admit I've been having problems getting my submit buttons to correspond to the text field in my HTML code so I'm really wanting to take the easy route and just use what the hosting company is offering but I don't want to miss out on the HTMLearning experience and go on without knowing how to get my submit button to correspond with the text field that people can type in on my site.As always any help is appreciated...thanks,Andy A. - HTMLover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtualadz Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 you cannot do this with only html, some server side scripting , will be needed, if you want to custom design it learn some scripting language or use in built auto install guestbooks features, saves you a lot of time and headache, but if you want to be skillfull and don't want to miss out on the HTMLearning experience then go learn them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate570 Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Hello,Welcome to the headaches of web building. :)For my host, i use webhostingbuzz: http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/Their plan includes unlimited email, 5gb of disk space, and 1.2tb of yearly bandwidth (that's 100gb of bandwidth monthly), and finally, CPanel hosting. It allows you to use PHP and MySQL, comes with phpmyadmin, gives you all FTP info and allows you to add more in the cpanel, and runs on a *nix server (can't remember what nix it is: unix, a distro of linux...)I think it's all pretty nifty for ($)3 bucks a month. :)Grand total: 36 dollars per year, and also, if you buy a domain through yahoo right now, it's only 2.99 a year. For a total of 39 dollars, you can run 5+ proffessional sites on the same account without running out of any type of feature. :)Hope that helps.Choco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justsomeguy Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 That is a good host, when my account expires I might jump over. Do you know how long they've been in business for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtualadz Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 That is a good host, when my account expires I might jump over. Do you know how long they've been in business for?<{POST_SNAPBACK}> this was one of the earliest sites i visited when i was looking for a host, but i don't remember for what reason i dropped them. i might have to change ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest apetersen Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Currently I'm using CoffeeCup HTML Editor and it is good for someone that is new to HTML (like me) but I was also wondering if anyone could recommend any other programs that have worked well.Dreamweaver is definitely the best HMTL Editor.Lastly, I have created all of my pages and I have my domain name registered but I have no idea how to link the two. I heard that I need to use FTP software to upload files to the server and I'm reading up on that so I was just wondering if I'm on the right track. Also, whenever I find a hosting company do all of them have tools that I could use to upload the pages that I created to the site?A simplyfied explaination would be: Once you have selected your website host they will provide you with the DNS server name/ip that you will need to "link" the domain name to the location of your site. Once you have that you need to provide the names/ips addresses to the company where you registered your domain name. This means that once you've uploaded all your pages to the new host/server using FTP you will get to your site when you enter your new domain name in a browser like Internet Explorer.Hope that was what you were asking about! Anette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanfranceschi Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 2 tips for you:- Don't format using html atributes (ex. <font face="Arial">WHITE</font>). Use CSS. I know, you might not be willing to start learning something else, but it's worth, believe me.- And practice some hand coding. This will also be very useful in a near future and your code will be cleaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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