Hello all, My questions are quite basic. I am relitively new on the web and would like to design my own web pages. I need one for my wife's business and one for mine.

Which route in the search for knowledge will lead me most expediantly to basic proficency in web page creation.

1)Signing up with a browser service such as Yahoo or netscape and create through one of their tutorial?
2)Buying a "how to book" like the Dummies Guide to... or taking a course.
3)has anyone taken a course through the internet retailing company known as "Hand Technologies"? Are they credible?
Finially, how much time will it take? I know that is incredibly vauge and the degree of proficiency will determine the amount of time invested, but for a base line proficiency? 40 hours??
Thank you in advance for your advise

Frank

Frank:

If you are using IE 5 as a browser, you should already have a good starting place for making web pages - Front Page Express! If you don't have it, go to the Microsoft website and download it. Now I know the died in the wool webbies will holler about using this, but I think it is a good place to start! You can make some credible pages that will give you a feel for building web pages, and what's more you will find out if you really want to do this! I myself use Front Page 2000 for my web pages, simply because I don't want to take the time to learn HTML and I don't want to spend $200 on a web page program. Everyone has their favorites, and personally I think there are problems with ALL of them. Jump in and give it a try. You can always host your pages for free on Hypermart as long as you are willing to put up with the banner they put on it, or you can get banner free there for just $99 per year.

Carol, Thank you for your basic direction. I will jump in and start today.

Frank

Frank: The really basic thing you need to remember about doing web pages is they are not etched in stone like print! You can delete them at your whim! If you don't like what you did, delete it and start over and no one is the wiser! You will become addicted to designing web pages, I can guarantee!

carol

Frank,
I was in your shoes a while back. What I did was get my own virtual server. For a small monthly fee, I have my own server, with 24 hour support to answer all of my questions. It came with a terrific online manual which teaches you everything you need to know about getting different features on your website such as counters, bulletin board, audio video, chat rooms, etc. There is a bulletin board to communicate with others with servers too, which is very helpful.
I have learned so much it is unbelievable and I have just launched my online business.
I am providing a link to my server co. in case you are interested in checking it out. Good luck!

Click here for information on having your own virtual server

You can email me at cayday@aol.com if you would like.

http://www.adgrafix.com/info/cbaxter

Oops, the link I gave you didn't work.
Here it is again.

Click here for information on having your own virtual server

Here is a way to get a website AND online design software for an entire year for only $100!

http://www.webdocsite.com/skyletter.html

Hello Frank,

Well I learned Html myself by downloading a tutorial off of www.zdnet.com .
Beyond that I use demo programs that I have downloaded from www.tucows.com or www.cnet.com or www.tucows.com . The majority of these make the basic web page for you, all you do is add in the Text/Pictures you wish to incorporate. One of the easiest and best that I've used is DreamWeaver by Macromedia. It will allow you to add DHTML as well as Java Applets right off the demo version, and are extremely user friendly.

If you need any more advice or even some help with your page feel free to contact me at shadow1@brunnet.net

I'm not in the web page making business, just someone who found it a good hobby, and would be happy to help.

Robert

To Carol, CD, Cayday, Robert and anyone I missed, thanks for your encouragement and advice. I'm wrapping up some unrelated business this week and hope to have my wife's pottery web site started next Monday or so.

I'll report back to this thread with my "real world" expirences. Again thanks to all!!

Frank

Frank,

Like Carol, I highly recommend using Frontpage2000 for creating web pages. I started just by buying it and messing around with it until I learned it and now I create my own web pages for different businesses. I also recommend you check out www.marketingtips.com for a real in depth course on internet business. I've gained many useful and profitable techniques from this site. If your serious about making some money on the net, you need to check this out. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions, I'm glad to help.

Hi Frank,

I've had to start from the ground up with web design myself, and my first program was FrontPage, as I learned more about the "code behind the scenes" - ie. HTML, I found out why I had a hard time making things look right in FrontPage. The code that it writes isn't "clean", and often times, that makes things look really wierd on the browsers, and that was frustrating trying to fix without knowing what was happening. There are a couple of programs I've found that write good code, while giving you a nice WYSISYG interface. Allaire puts out HomeSite, which is under $100, and while Macromedia' Dreamweaver is more expensive, it writes excellent code, and gives you a full, professional package. For best results, even with FrontPage, take some time and familiarize yourself with HTML, there are a lot of good easy books out there which give you the full scoop. The book in the "Sam's 24 hour" series is really good. Feel free to get in touch if you want to: ckiltz@mac.com. Good luck!

Chris, I saw your note about front page. I bought the program and just haven't had time to play yet. What I need to know, if you can help, how do you get secure lines? I know credit cards are necessary but someone told me from ecommerce that it would be approx $400 a month. Needless to say I haven't done my page yet. What about paypal? i have heard pros and cons. Sorry about all the questions but I am REAL new to computers. Help if you can. thanks
nancy

Hi Nancy,

In order to get a secure page, you need to have your page served from a secure server. Some ISP's will provide that with no extra charge, while others will charge a little extra. I am vaguely familiar with PayPal, but haven't heard anything either way. To get some good info you might try doing a search on the net for eCommerce solutions, I know there are a lot out there, also talk with your local bank, and the company you'll be using for your ISP (internet service provider). Good luck, if you have any other questions, let me know.

Chris

Hi Frank:
Here is info of very inexpensive but thorough,easy,supported with all the tools you need to create awesome web pages.
http://ceofromhome.simple2net.com

Hi Frank, I suggest starting with front page express then elaborate with notepad it's all free.
Check out www.HTMLGOODIES.COM to learn the code.
Have fun Jamie

TRY www.taconsultants.com

Hi. Well, how I got started was reading books like "HTML For Dummies", "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Java", "DHTML For The Feeble Minded" and other textbooks with emotionally crippling titles, then work your way up to more serious literature as your understanding of how it all works gets better and better-believe me, for some people web designing is very habit forming. It took me a couple of years and a lot of trial and error, but my best advice is start with a good HTML 4 book and study it. Don't be afraid to experiment with it either. HTML won't give you those snazzy, eye catching effects like Java or DHTML, but it's better to walk before you run-especially in web designing. The good thing about learning about web design is there is a LOT of material on and off the web for you to absorb without having to go to college, you can check most stuff out even from your local public library. After three years of doing this as a hobby, I've actually gotten so good at what I do, I'm starting my own web designing buisness.

Start with HTML, find yourself a mentor who also knows HTML and have him/her test you. When you get really good at it, then move up another language like Java and so forth. Take your time, HTML is still the basic language and probably will be for at least another 5 years until XML (which is pretty much the same thing as HTML only with a few major differences) takes over.

Good Luck,
Larry

Frank,
If you want it to look professional STAY AWAY FROM MICROSOFT

Please also try this:

www.gettingstarted.net