Build a web site

[secsee1]

I would like to have a go at building a web site but haven't the first idea how to do it, so is there a
computer program for idiots that will let you build one page by page and let you upload it to a
web hosting site, I know some of these sites let you build one but I've looked at them
and it seems you're fine if you have a degree in nuclear physics, what I need is a program for
numpties that will allow you to add both pictures and text..

[another-view]

The first question you need to ask is what are you using the website for. Is it just a one page thing to display a bit of text or a full blown e-commerce site where you are trying to sell things?

[secsee1]

No a friend of mine has a pub & would like to put it on the web so it would not be trying
to sell things but to show pictures of the 2 bars & garden and also to show sample
menu's, so it would need about 4 or 5 pages but would not need a ''contact us'' tab.

[squarebear]

I made something for the landlord of my local: http://www.thenortheastern.co.uk/
I used Notepad to create the pages then upload them to my webspace which I had bought from www.123reg.co.uk
Using Notepad requires that you know HTML coding. A lot of people recommend DreamWeaver but I've not used it to comment.

[secsee1]

Hi squarebare that's exactly what i was after except I know nothing about HTML
coding that's why i wanted a program that you could build page by page and
it would convert it all for you then save it for you to upload to a hosting site,
but you sure did a good job on that one !!

[squarebear]

Cheers. Unfortunately, a lot of it is out of date due to the landlord never telling me what he wants to promote or what the pool results were.

Do you have Microsoft Word? That can do web pages. It fills it with unnecessary code but it will get the job done.

[secsee1]

No Sqarebare I don't all I have on this laptop is open office 2.2, but surly somebody
must have produced an idiot proof program that's for sale or download that will do
it all for you...

[squarebear]

You could try to find a download or demo of DreamWeaver. Many people used to use that.

[rojash]

Hi squarebear,
That's a nicely done web site (apart from the "awaiting photo"s)

[squarebear]

Thanks Rojash. I kept pestering him for the photos and pool results but got nothing back so the website hasn't been updated since last June time. Hence the "news and events" page is hopelessly out of date, as is the pool league results.

Seems strange that someone would want a website designing but not bother keeping it up to date.

[R1Geezer]

the simplest way is to design your site in word and then "Save as", a webpage and upload as Squarbear suggests. It's not what the pros do but it's idiot proof!

[squarebear]

I once looked at a website designed in Word and managed to reduce the code it produced by 90%

[rojash]

"Design your site in word and then "Save as", a webpage... ...as Squarbear suggests."
I'm pretty sure that's not what squarebear was suggesting. I assume he typed raw HTML into notepad.

[squarebear]

Yes I did just type the HTML in but I also suggested that secsee1 may be able to use Word to create a site. However, they don't have Word and I don't think open office will be able to do this.

[R1Geezer]

I meant use word and then do the rest as Squarebear suggests. I wouldn't do it this way but I was just trying to suggest an easy way to a novice.

[Mosaic]

An excellent free program is Aptana (google for it). Its look and feel takes a little bit of getting used to, but you can toggle between views to see your pages, and it helps you to see any errors in the code.
You can also download a free 30-day trial of dreamweaver from the Adobe site.
I have also found the book 'HTML for dummies' very helpful as it takes things step by step.
Both Aptana and dreamweaver are very straightforward but you need something like the DUmmies book to get you over the first hurdles, if you haven't got a learning buddy.

[Mosaic]

I'd recommend that you don't use the 'save as webpage' options in Word and Publisher etc - these do not help you to understand the process. Using them is similar to putting more makeup on a bad spot.

[MarkRae]

I'd suggest you get a book on web design and building, or go on a course. Your site looks OK-ish in Microsoft Internet Explorer, but is all over the place when viewed in other browsers such as Google Chrome etc.

Secondly, forget about framesets.

Thirdly, you REALLY need to be using at least XHTML Transitional as your DOCTYPE, and make sure all of your pages produce valid HTML. They don't at all at the moment:
http://validator.w3.o...eastern%2fhistory.htm

[Mosaic]

Validator for a learner!? Marky mark mark mark, were you actually born running and typing? No! You learned slowly, with encouragement! It's the same with websites.....

[MarkRae]

Hence my opening comment that the OP should buy a book or go on a course.

[Mosaic]

Yes. And the OP asked for practical advice as well. You could also have answered 'google it'. But people like to ask people. OK?