I need an idiots guide too creating a web page

**yabbadabba** · 3rd February 2009, 12:42 PM

As the title suggests I am after a "Idiots guide too creating a web page" and some pointers for the best way of doing it and what programs to use.

I already have my web hosting provided by my ISP so thats sorted.

This is for a home/business website for myself but the knowldege will be used at the school when I upgrade both thier website and intranet site.

Now the main question would be am I better using a WYSIWYG program such Frontpage or should I do it manually and learn HTML?

Any good newbie friendly WYSIWYG programs, open source would be fine and possibly preferable.

Or any good links that people have used and recommend?

The plan is too create my own first asd a trial/practise/learning curve then use the knowledge to improve the schools at a later date.

Just too add I am not after an instant solution so dont mind a few evenings reading and playing

Cheers in advance.

**webman** · 3rd February 2009, 12:49 PM

I would definitely say that if it's something you are interested in, learn about HTML and CSS. W3Schools is a good place to start but there are loads of tutorials out there on the web.

Two good editors you might like to look at are Amaya and Nvu. They are recommended over Frontpage or Expression Web - as Expression/Frontpage have a tendency to generate poor, non-valid, non-comprehendable and unmaintainable code.

If you want the end product without the hard work or learning curve (or want to learn as well as having some form of dynamic content) then you can use a CMS (Content Management System) such as Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress etc.

**powdarrmonkey** · 3rd February 2009, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by yabbadabba

Now the main question would be am I better using a WYSIWYG program such Frontpage or should I do it manually and learn HTML?

Flamewar alert!

I would say both. You need to learn how it works underneath, but for getting down and dirty it's a PITA cutting HTML by hand.

Any good newbie friendly WYSIWYG programs, open source would be fine and possibly preferable.

NVU.

**ninjabeaver** · 3rd February 2009, 12:52 PM

Theres a nice book on using CSS with HTML. I used it and learned a shedload from it. It takes you from making a website from scratch called 'BubbleUnder.'

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Your-Website-Right-Using/dp/0975240293/ref=sr_1_39?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233661885&sr=8-39]Build Your Own Website The Right Way Using HTML & CSS: Ian Lloyd: Amazon.co.uk: Books[/ame]

Very good and I still refer to it.

It's based around using freely downloadable tools like Notepad++ and GIMP. Other tools are suggested.

**vikpaw** · 3rd February 2009, 12:57 PM

WYSIWYG is by far easier and can then be passed on to others with no knowledge of HTML to edit.

I prefer hard coding myself, so use a decent text editor such as TextPad or Notepad++ that will 'mark up' the reserved words. Some even prompt you for the info you need to enter in some cases.

So in summary i agree with PowdarrMonkey : both.

Here's a basic one:

Code:

 
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>
Hello World Example Web Page
</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
Hello World
</BODY>
</HTML>

save it as a file with .html extension make sure the text editor doesn't still add a .txt after it though. as that's usually the first mistake

EDIT: Please no corrections to my code! I know i've missed lots of 'required' declarations to make it standard, and it probably will fail in firefox anyway :P

**stevenewman** · 3rd February 2009, 01:01 PM

As far as HTML editors are concerned, FirstPage takes a lot of beating. It looks as though the new version includes a WYSIWYG feature as well ... and it's free. The original FP2000 is (IMO) one of the best editors ever produced.

Evrsoft First Page / 1st Page 2006 HTML Editor / Website Builder

**powdarrmonkey** · 3rd February 2009, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by vikpaw

EDIT: Please no corrections to my code! I know i've missed lots of 'required' declarations to make it standard, and it probably will fail in firefox anyway :P

<ot> Awww, spoilsport!

</ot>

**K.C.Leblanc** · 3rd February 2009, 01:18 PM

W3Schools Online Web Tutorials

END THREAD.

**gibbo_ap** · 3rd February 2009, 01:31 PM

one last one is web monkey i have a ton of bookmarks for css photoshop ajax etc if required PM me and ill post

EDIT: would be good to have a sticky in the web dev section with links to useful sites

**somabc** · 3rd February 2009, 01:35 PM

Try BlueGriffon.org it is an updated version of NVU

**srochford** · 3rd February 2009, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by webman

Two good editors you might like to look at are Amaya and Nvu. They are recommended over Frontpage or Expression Web - as Expression/Frontpage have a tendency to generate poor, non-valid, non-comprehendable and unmaintainable code.

Won't disagree with the suggestions for editors and your criticism of Frontpage is fair but Expression is a whole different animal. It's pretty much impossible to generate invalid code in Expression - you tell it what version of HTML you want and it will flag as invalid anything which doesn't match up.

**webman** · 3rd February 2009, 02:23 PM

@srochford: In that case, I stand correct and take it back

**yabbadabba** · 3rd February 2009, 03:19 PM

WOW, cheers to all the replys so far, looks like I have some reading and experimentation to keep me amused tonight.

**ninjabeaver** · 3rd February 2009, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by yabbadabba

WOW, cheers to all the replys so far, looks like I have some reading and experimentation to keep me amused tonight.

Don't forget to thank or add rep for those who helped.

**SPC** · 3rd February 2009, 03:52 PM

Website Building For Idiots | Web Site Design

This should cover it all for ya

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I need an idiots guide too creating a web page

Thanks to all

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