I'm a real numpty when it comes to websites....

[indiegirl]

... and I know nothing about web development. By that, I mean that what I do know just about fits on a postage stamp, and no more.

Now, I wanna get one over my NM (discussed in other articles!), and I want to start the foundations for a school website (as it's something that he has 'been getting around to doing' for 18months now).

This is where I run dry. Where the bloody hell do I start? Has anyone got any 'how-to' docs they'd be willing to share? I take it that I need a webserver, if I get a 1ghz box with plenty of mem, would it be enough? Should I go down the *nix or Windows route? What's easiest?

TIA, and be gentle.... ops:

[webman]

Hello

I would highly recommend a content management system that will simplify all aspects of the average school website and it needn't cost a penny. Have a look around www.opensourcecms.com and see which ones you like. I'd recommend Webstie Baker, Joomla (used to be mambo), PostNuke or Drupal. Personally I'd recommend Apache+PHP+MySQL on Linux.

If you want the site visible to the outside world you'll obviously need ports opening through your firewall, but also consdier if your connection is good enough to handle the amount of (upstream) data a website will demand.

You will need to contact Nominet UK/LEA support to get the domain sorted (www.school.area.sch.uk) or buy your own

Hope that helps

[browolf]

try this

A Beginner's Guide to HTML done with IE and notepad

while one wouldnt expect a beginner to code an entire website in notepad it's good to have some idea how stuff works. even a most basic understanding will help.

[pshuttle]

oh dear! You have opened Pandora's Box I am afraid. There is alot to learn

Happily I would say that with the amount of decent CMS's available now things are easier than they were before.

I recommend Joomla! by the way. I use it for the local primary school websites here.

Pete

[Netman]

You may well have free webspace from your ISP with a domain name already setup. If so, you could publish to that... all you'd need is a good html editor (try http://www.nvu.com), an ftp client to upload your pages (try http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/) and the username and password from your ISP for ftp access....

[indiegirl]

Pandora's box indeed! I forgot to say that I am competent at HTML - I just have no knowledge of these Apache, PHP and other things you speak of... I was just looking at Joomla, but have no knowledge of the other bits and bobs.

I'm Unix trained (M$ came second in my book) so I think the Linux route is most likely... plus it gives me plenty to get my teeth into...

[webman]

Pandora's box indeed! I forgot to say that I am competent at HTML - I just have no knowledge of these Apache, PHP and other things you speak of... I was just looking at Joomla, but have no knowledge of the other bits and bobs.

I'm Unix trained (M$ came second in my book) so I think the Linux route is most likely... plus it gives me plenty to get my teeth into...

Once you've decided on your chosen CMS (if you go that route) they will include instructions on setting it up. You should only need apache, php and mysql installed on top of linux, which should be a breeze - yum install for redhat distros, apt-get install for debian distros. If you're already used to it, it shouldn't be too much of a problem

[pshuttle]

You will be pleased to know then that web development and LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP) practically marry each other (they like each other that much!!).

And they do not get divorced after only 6 months of marriage.

Pete

[GrumbleDook]

And don't forget Moodle ... there is always room for Moodle.

[petectid]

Take a look at MSAS from http://www.mambosolutions.com. This is an easy to install version of Apache, PHP and MySql which runs from a virtual disk it creates in My Computer. The disk is only present when you run the software so the services are not running on your test PC all the time.

[webman]

And don't forget Moodle ... there is always room for Moodle.

Unless your school/LEA decides to use another VLE platform

[tarquel]

Be careful with this Pandora's Box tho as there are alot of rules and regs to conform to with websites - especially when it comes to school websites.

Like for example, we had someone send in a letter of complaint about the website not being bilingual and so the head thanked me for my previous efforts but asked me to remove it.

I did before i left yesterday, but as i reminded her, I've heard that there is some sort of policy that says schools have to provide basic contact details at the bare minimum via the web, so I knocked up a 5 minute [if that] notepad hand-writen peice of rubbish.

Just visit the site and you shall see hehe [ http://www.broddyfi-hs.powys.sch.uk ]

Obviously, bilingual doesnt affect you but I've heard that all schools in wales whether they be bilingual or not may *have* to conform to having a bilingual website.

There are also the accessibility & readability regs and so on....

Not trying to scare you off - and I'm sure there will be a good CMS that conforms to it. Unfortunately for us as we are classed as a bilingual school, I dont know whther we have to provide a website or not.

Luckily the county have got something in the pipeline with this so that'll be fine by me.

I imagine that in some cases, you might not be able to get a external company in - in our case, all our webspace/domain/etc is hosted via the county so an outside party that isnt a employee of the county might not be able to work on county property......

um.....

......not to be negative that is hehe

You might want to contact your LEA about whether they have any info regarding website policies etc.

Just my 2....er.......10p hehe

Nath

[pshuttle]

Take a look at MSAS from http://www.mambosolutions.com. This is an easy to install version of Apache, PHP and MySql which runs from a virtual disk it creates in My Computer. The disk is only present when you run the software so the services are not running on your test PC all the time.

Not to put Pete down, I would not bother with Mambo anymore (the whole development team upped and left over a disagreement over the future of the software and set up Joomla! instead).

However the same people who brought you MSAS have now developed the JSAS (same thing as MSAS but for Joomla!). www.joomlasolutions.com

Pete

[GrumbleDook]

Politics in IT? Who would have thought ;-)

[tarquel]

I do believe Mambo is still going tho - but I do like Joomla

[hehe....:P @ tony]

Nath.