Creating Webpages

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 25-02-2006, 04:05 PM

I though I'd asked this before but I can't seem to find it now so I'll ask again.

Can someone recommend a good free download easy to use program for creating webpages. I'm talking forget the php, java jargon, macromedia, dreamweaver, frontpage techno type. Just something simple and easy to use.

Thanks.

vindictive666 (John) · #2 25-02-2006, 04:30 PM

paul try this place

http://www.pablosoftwaresolutions.com/

http://www.pablosoftwaresolutions.co...b_builder.html

no doubt you tried a googly search

Hammerman · #3 25-02-2006, 04:36 PM

I've made my entire web site with Microsoft Word, and I have around 70 pages up and running. While not as many features as one of the expensive programs, you can still do quite a bit with it. Check out my link below my signature to get an idea what can be done with Word. I've had no training with Microsoft Word so you are seeing what someone with no experience can do. Imagine how much better you could do if you knew the program.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 25-02-2006, 04:39 PM

Yeah I did and only ended up more confused with the choices. So I thought the best thing to do was to ask people who use them.

Thanks

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 25-02-2006, 04:51 PM

Thanks Gary. I was going to use word as I do use it all the time for other things. However I'm hoping to drag myself into the 21st century and maybe learn how it's supposed to be done

Nice site btw. I hope I can get mine up to that speed.

stinky · #6 25-02-2006, 04:53 PM

OPenOffice also allows html saving. BUt both this and Word create "dirty" markup language and the results can vary depending on the browser and version used to view them.

33South (Chris) · #7 25-02-2006, 04:54 PM

I just type (or copy/paste) HTML code using Notepad++ works for basic stuff see one of my early attempts http://www.infinitybeach.com/

Maybe http://www.arachnoid.com/arachnophilia/ would be worth a look - its free.

acropolite (Phil) · #8 25-02-2006, 05:26 PM

Paul, Frontpage is about as easy as it gets, I think you'll find that other packages will just offer more of the same confusion. Start with something simple, maybe some text hyperlinks on a plain background then work up from that.

sheeny (Al) · #9 25-02-2006, 08:41 PM

G'Day Paul,

I'm with 33South... I've grown up using Notepad. But like you I've tried and am still trying to come to grips with more up-market software. I tried Hot Dog from Sausage software years ago, but never got the hang of it... also played with Adobe Pagemill with very limited success. I've also tried Word, etc but found them clumsy to do what I want to do.

I am currently learning to drive Frontpage (because I have it) and I think I can live with that. I have always been very keen on simple html with minimal overheads so my pages load quickly even on slow connections, so I've always been critical of packages that blow out file sizes...

Anyway I'll be interested to learn if you find a simple package that's easy and flexible to drive! Having learn't with Notepad, sometimes I find it amazing how difficult it is to find a purpose build package that suits me... I think it's a bit like touch typing versus two finger rapid fire. I can't get the hang of touch typing either, because its quicker and easier to hammer away the way I always have...

Al.

fringe_dweller · #10 25-02-2006, 10:48 PM

Hey Paul, if you dont mind it being really simple, and if you have CS already? (I think the last two had it too from memory?) and its not a heavy text based thing, just simple galleries. Try menu file>automate>web photo gallery feature, existing templates can be modified with a simple html proggy if you wish (after copying), but it is kinda flexible already.
A hand full of templates to choose from in styles, and use options to change anything that is changeble, which is quite a bit.
just make sure you select extension> html in options>general when naming file
point it to a folder of pics and hey presto! fast and very neat
use your browser(s) to quickly check out results

save the folder and upload it (to free your ISP account user webspace I am assuming?) still need a little free ftp proggy to do that, of which there are many -
i dont use web photo gallery - have played around with it, , but I have few mates that love it for a really quick clean gallery page of their kids BD parties or whatever ect.

33South (Chris) · #11 25-02-2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheeny

I am currently learning to drive Frontpage (because I have it) and I think I can live with that. I have always been very keen on simple html with minimal overheads so my pages load quickly even on slow connections, so I've always been critical of packages that blow out file sizes...

Thats the main problem with FP all the excess garbage you get embedded.
Dont know if you are aware but if you do want to use FP theres a free tutorial - not bad for starters.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=EN

[1ponders] (Paul) · #12 26-02-2006, 12:46 AM

Thanks guys for the the input.

Chris and Al typing up stuff like that in notepad for me would be like a monkey trying to milk a cow. I wouldn't know where to start. I've created a few pages before using word as Gary suggested (not for upload though), but they usually end up pretty large Kb wise (all that other stuff that ends up in there that doesn't need to be there) and I do have FP though never learnt to use it. What I had in mind was more along the lines of what Kearn is talking about. I know how to do the PS thing but I'd like to be able to do a few of the PS pages and link them to a Home page. Unfortunately I don't think PS allows text explainations of images (I don't think from memory) which I'd like to do to accompany the images.

I've downloaded the wysiwyg builder and I'll give it a go. Looks pretty simple if all you have to do is drag and drop. That's me

I'll re-look at front page and check out the tutorials (thanks Chris) and if I feel like I'm turning to alcohol too much I'll give word a try. Any other suggestions?

janoskiss (Steve H) · #13 26-02-2006, 12:55 AM

Mozilla composer works for me for webpages, and even presentations.

fringe_dweller · #14 26-02-2006, 01:18 AM

Paul you could put the text on the pics - or create new (plain webcoloured background) file and make it slighty bigger height wise - move your pic over the top as new layer, put your text in the bottom seperate and flatten and then save for web

adding plain webcolour background wont add much to file size in a jpg

even then you would on have to make a index page as you say, maybe that is the only timely part, putting the link on the front of that as you say, would cut down on tediousness of sub galleries a fair bit

I like the way CS/PS does the thumbnails - very nice

fringe_dweller · #15 26-02-2006, 04:12 AM

messed around and used for the first time the ps automated web photo gallery - just used a folder full of jpgs i had posted in the sunset thread before for images. could of modified look of page a lot more, just a throw together,

you can edit the text real easy after its been made and saved, just open each of the html files in the 'pages' sub folder created along with the main folder, in a html editor - i used dreamweaver mx - and type in details, the templates are made for it
http://southern-x.org/so_x/ps_wp/sunset.html
you still got your links/front page problem tho sorry - I dont think (?) there is a fast way to do nice fully functional/links everything gallery web pages unless you have the originals set up for quick updates already, you still gotta type all the text in sometime - unless you get one of those 'of the rack' jobs, with browser editing/updating, when you buy the webspace? dont know much about that stuff
sept that i'm doing it now! hehe
ps only put text in first 4

stinky · #16 26-02-2006, 10:03 AM

For a cheap solution I'd agree with Janos' - If you can afford it Dreamweaver is excellent. It's also easy to use if you avoid the bells and whistles. If you are going to invest time in learning I would definetly go for Dreamweaver over FP.

PS as for webspace - most providers provide a small amount with your account, 100Mb or so which is heaps to get started. There are also free ones like Geocities. Internet explorer works fine as an FTP client for uploading, but for a 3rd party reliable cheapie you can't go past ws-ftp

[1ponders] (Paul) · #17 26-02-2006, 10:19 AM

Looks like you're onto something there Kearn. Creating a few of those and indexing them to a home page I can do. I'll have to be careful how many I put together as my isp only gives 60mb for webspace though I think I've got a 250 mb space somewhere??? Might have to track it down.

Stinky, my isp has a video showing how to upload using IE so I should be right there.

Looks like a good exercise for me over the next couple of days.

Thanks guys

33South (Chris) · #18 26-02-2006, 10:23 AM

If you are after a web photo gallary http://jalbum.net/ is an excellent free product. - once you work out how to drive it.

acropolite (Phil) · #19 26-02-2006, 10:32 AM

Paul, 60mb of webspace is very generous, most ISP's only give 10mb or so. Frontpage has a nice photo gallery feature, even creates the thumbnails for you. There is a wizard you can use to set up the page if you just want a gallery its simple to use. As 33South said jalbum is also quite good and not too difficult to use. I never upload using IE, I always use an FTP client, winftp is easy to use and effective, so if the IE upload doesn't work give that a try.

sheeny (Al) · #20 26-02-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33South

Thats the main problem with FP all the excess garbage you get embedded.

I'll have to have another look at that... I have found some garbage in my files once or twice when I first started playing with it, but on the whole they've been pretty clean... I will check though, just to make sure I'm not telling fibs! I think I worked out that if I created the whole page in the WYSIWIG editor, I got the garbage, but I usually use the split view, so I can revert to my old habits when I feel the need... from memory that was fairly clean - just one metadata line at the top of the file, I thought...

I'll get back to you...

Al.