A Few Newbie Questions??

brewboy · Dec 13th, 2007, 16:29

I am looking to put together my first website/page!

1) Should this be something very simple and build upon that, or should I go ahead and put down my ideas on paper first and start working from that design?

2) For my first page, which I will probably use going forward for my portfolio, should I use the space that my ISP gives me, or should I buy space? And if I should buy space, who and what site is the most reliable and most space for your buck to buy?

Thanks so much everyone!!

minute44 · Dec 13th, 2007, 16:37

1. Absolutely start simple and build upon it. This is the best way to avoid masses of errors and loads of work at the end when it comes time to iron the kinks out.

2. If it's your first site, use some hosting provided by your ISP for now but when your site is getting going I would definately suggest buying proper hosting as you can control what adverts, if any, are on there and it gives you more control on the whole.

brewboy · Dec 13th, 2007, 16:49

Thanks so much Minute!! So one last question? In doing my layout, do I do that on paper and work from that or are their programs to help me with layouts? I want to begin correctly, so any and all advice would be great!!!!!

hschmitz · Dec 13th, 2007, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewboy

In doing my layout, do I do that on paper and work from that or are their programs to help me with layouts?

It's always best to start doing the layout on a piece of paper. This way you know where you are going.

After having a rough sketch of the layout, I then normally use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to create the graphics and I use Dreamweaver to implement the design in HTML

minute44 · Dec 13th, 2007, 17:22

Dreamweaver is good but only use the code view. Design view makes crappy code.

brewboy · Dec 13th, 2007, 17:30

Well I don't have dreamweaver at this time! So for right now I will be just putting in code and maybe some other downloaded pictures off the net or ones that I take with my digital camera. I have Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere. Would these be good to use for anything?

hschmitz · Dec 13th, 2007, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by minute44

Dreamweaver is good but only use the code view. Design view makes crappy code.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that

hschmitz · Dec 13th, 2007, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewboy

I have Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere. Would these be good to use for anything?

I never used either of the two programs myself. I understand Photoshop Elements is a very simplified version of the full Photoshop software. I guess it might be of some use, but if you want to go professional you will probably need the full Photoshop version.

You will still need an editor for creating the HTML. In principle any text editor can be used for that.

brewboy · Dec 13th, 2007, 18:03

So without spending any money for a text editor right now since I am still tooling around with this and not really wanting to spend money until I fully know I like this for a career, what can I get for a text editor online that's free and is still a good product to use with simplicity?

brewboy · Dec 13th, 2007, 18:16

Anyone use this editor: http://www.pspad.com/en/ If so, is this a good choice for me?

Thanks everyone!

hschmitz · Dec 13th, 2007, 18:27

I didn't use it, but judging from the screenshots it looks alright.

brewboy · Dec 13th, 2007, 18:38

Okay, what about HTMLkit?

hschmitz · Dec 13th, 2007, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewboy

Okay, what about HTMLkit?

I guess it's good. It includes HTML Tidy which makes sure that your HTML code is compliant. It's always good to start learning compliant HTML right from the beginning.

brewboy · Dec 13th, 2007, 19:25

hschmitz, I am going to guess that you are totally partial to Dreamweaver and nothing else compares to it? You haven't really said that either of these are that good!

hschmitz · Dec 13th, 2007, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewboy

hschmitz, I am going to guess that you are totally partial to Dreamweaver and nothing else compares to it? You haven't really said that either of these are that good!

That's not true. I am only saying that I haven't used any of the two programs you mentioned.

I actually implied that HTMLKit is a good program, because it has a feature to ensure compliant code.

minute44 · Dec 14th, 2007, 08:56

I use Notepad ++ It's free and detects the language you are using so it colour codes it all, just like dreamweaver. Not many ppl I know use it but I think it's fantastic.

http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm

Lchad · Dec 14th, 2007, 11:08

Here is an entire list of free and not so free html editors.

There is also some great information on how to get started in the Beginners forum! Good luck!

karinne · Dec 14th, 2007, 12:04

And also WF Newsletter - Creative Coding

There are some great tutorials and articles in there to help you out

unitedcraig · Dec 15th, 2007, 00:03

Karinne might not have wanted to mention this, but there is a great aricle written by herself in the newsletter

http://creativecoding.webforumz.com/...e-from-a-z.php

guides you through designing your site one you know some HTML and CSS you can easily apply her advice and modify it for your site