First Website

Sloo · 08-21-2007, 08:19 AM

I have a friend that runs a non profit organization and needs help with a website. He is older and, of course, asked me to help because he knows nothing about computers. The problem is, I have never really done anything with web design. I help people with hardware and network stuff, but that is about it. I figured this would give me a chance to learn while doing.

He wants to be able to update the site without to much trouble. There is going to be a section for donations and a portion where people login to take online classes.

He has a copy of MS Expression Web (frontpage) that he would like to try and use. Does anyone have experience with Expression ? I'm thinking about just using one of the templates, but I don't know if that is a bad idea overall. Maybe as I get more experience will redo the site without a template. Are there other alternatives to expression that are better/free? Any suggestions for a complete newb?

I am meeting with him later this week to find out all the details, and If I am in over my head I'm just going to tell him.

Zeste · 08-21-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloo

He wants to be able to update the site without to much trouble. There is going to be a section for donations and a portion where people login to take online classes.

He has a copy of MS Expression Web (frontpage) that he would like to try and use. Does anyone have experience with Expression ? I'm thinking about just using one of the templates, but I don't know if that is a bad idea overall. Maybe as I get more experience will redo the site without a template. Are there other alternatives to expression that are better/free? Any suggestions for a complete newb?

I am meeting with him later this week to find out all the details, and If I am in over my head I'm just going to tell him.

might be in over your head. I'd avoid FrontPage, it's got a pretty horrible track record for anything remotely professional. If you guys really don't know what to do, you might want to use a site builder at google or yahoo or something. Updating a website and making login sections isn't something you can just do out of the box.

hard to answer all the questions at once. basically, if someone wants a website that is more than just static pages, it's pretty hard to just "figure out" without knowing anything. I'd enlist the help of a professional.

Believe · 08-21-2007, 12:07 PM

I would use a CMS (Content Management System). Something like Joomla.

Might take a bit of learning on your part, but if you're atleast half decent with Photoshop, you can take a free template and make it look completely amazing and different. CSS is incredibly easy to edit and change, so if you find a free template (all templates use CSS) with a decent layout, it's very easy to change how it looks.

The main reason I love Joomla though, is people completely un-tech-savvy can easily add news on the front page and navigate somewhat easily through the administrator backend. All you have to do is log on as an admin and click "Add new content" pretty much.

Also, I can't say they will have for sure what you need, but there are a lot of 'plugins' for joomla that can do things like restrict pages to certain members, charge members for access to stuff, etc. By default though, Joomla has a built in member/login system, though. It's sort of primitive and sometimes frustrating, but it may work well enough alone for what you need - but perhaps might need a plugin.

Might be something worth looking into.

Tyen · 08-23-2007, 10:12 PM

^^^ What he said

Sloo · 08-25-2007, 03:18 PM

Thanks guys. Checking that link out it looks like it will work very well. I don't have to worry about the donations or online course material, there is just going to be a link for now.

CreatingStyle · 09-19-2007, 06:10 AM

Hey guys-

I am starting my first website as well. I have watched a few tutorials on Expression and with my history of web design (I used to do it freehand when I was younger) I feel like it will be a good fit because I can use the design view to have Expression code for me or just as easily code it myself.

However, I have a question. I don't remember how to get the edges of a frame to be rounded. I have the background set as a color, and I'd like the edges of the main frame (that I intend to stuff everything inside of) to be rounded, with a different background color. If you guys could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

Requiem · 09-20-2007, 03:51 PM

Frontpage is horrible. Use Dreamweaver or something if you're not going to go the CMS route.

Lenas · 09-20-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreatingStyle

However, I have a question. I don't remember how to get the edges of a frame to be rounded. I have the background set as a color, and I'd like the edges of the main frame (that I intend to stuff everything inside of) to be rounded, with a different background color. If you guys could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

Fastest way to get rounded corners is to have images at the top and bottom of your box to make it seem rounded when really, it's not.

elderec · 09-22-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenas

Fastest way to get rounded corners is to have images at the top and bottom of your box to make it seem rounded when really, it's not.

I like using JQuery to round corners: JQuery Corner Demo

Lenas · 09-22-2007, 10:25 PM

Uh, yeah, but that's a little much to chew on for someone that doesn't remember other basic things.

Furism · 09-23-2007, 06:09 AM

Install Website Baker on a webserver, get a template you like, and it's done.

CreatingStyle · 09-23-2007, 07:53 PM

For part of my website, I want to be able to continuously post blogs with the same format (CSS Style, etc). Is a blog engine what I am looking for?

Zeste · 09-23-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreatingStyle

For part of my website, I want to be able to continuously post blogs with the same format (CSS Style, etc). Is a blog engine what I am looking for?

wordpress, probably

Lenas · 09-23-2007, 11:45 PM

Wordpress, yes.

Warrik · 10-19-2007, 08:47 AM

As far as WSYWIG's go, I feel Dreamweaver CS3 is still the best.

08-21-2007, 08:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sloo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 17 +0 Internets	First Website I have a friend that runs a non profit organization and needs help with a website. He is older and, of course, asked me to help because he knows nothing about computers. The problem is, I have never really done anything with web design. I help people with hardware and network stuff, but that is about it. I figured this would give me a chance to learn while doing. He wants to be able to update the site without to much trouble. There is going to be a section for donations and a portion where people login to take online classes. He has a copy of MS Expression Web (frontpage) that he would like to try and use. Does anyone have experience with Expression ? I'm thinking about just using one of the templates, but I don't know if that is a bad idea overall. Maybe as I get more experience will redo the site without a template. Are there other alternatives to expression that are better/free? Any suggestions for a complete newb? I am meeting with him later this week to find out all the details, and If I am in over my head I'm just going to tell him.

08-21-2007, 12:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Believe Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,814 +1 Internets	I would use a CMS (Content Management System). Something like Joomla. Might take a bit of learning on your part, but if you're atleast half decent with Photoshop, you can take a free template and make it look completely amazing and different. CSS is incredibly easy to edit and change, so if you find a free template (all templates use CSS) with a decent layout, it's very easy to change how it looks. The main reason I love Joomla though, is people completely un-tech-savvy can easily add news on the front page and navigate somewhat easily through the administrator backend. All you have to do is log on as an admin and click "Add new content" pretty much. Also, I can't say they will have for sure what you need, but there are a lot of 'plugins' for joomla that can do things like restrict pages to certain members, charge members for access to stuff, etc. By default though, Joomla has a built in member/login system, though. It's sort of primitive and sometimes frustrating, but it may work well enough alone for what you need - but perhaps might need a plugin. Might be something worth looking into. Last edited by Believe : 08-21-2007 at 12:15 PM.

09-20-2007, 03:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Requiem Site Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 769 +38 Internets	Frontpage is horrible. Use Dreamweaver or something if you're not going to go the CMS route. __________________ Requiem Alloria Mistweave Uberguilds.org, fohguild.org Site Administrator requiem@fohguild.org

09-22-2007, 10:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lenas 0 kills, 0 alerts Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,065 -3 Internets	Uh, yeah, but that's a little much to chew on for someone that doesn't remember other basic things. __________________ 360 / PSN - LenasUchiha

09-23-2007, 06:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
Furism Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,050 -1 Internets	Install Website Baker on a webserver, get a template you like, and it's done. __________________ - Furism

08-25-2007, 03:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sloo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 17 +0 Internets	Thanks guys. Checking that link out it looks like it will work very well. I don't have to worry about the donations or online course material, there is just going to be a link for now.

09-19-2007, 06:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
CreatingStyle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 11 +0 Internets	Hey guys- I am starting my first website as well. I have watched a few tutorials on Expression and with my history of web design (I used to do it freehand when I was younger) I feel like it will be a good fit because I can use the design view to have Expression code for me or just as easily code it myself. However, I have a question. I don't remember how to get the edges of a frame to be rounded. I have the background set as a color, and I'd like the edges of the main frame (that I intend to stuff everything inside of) to be rounded, with a different background color. If you guys could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

09-23-2007, 07:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
CreatingStyle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 11 +0 Internets	Blog Engine? For part of my website, I want to be able to continuously post blogs with the same format (CSS Style, etc). Is a blog engine what I am looking for?

09-23-2007, 11:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
Lenas 0 kills, 0 alerts Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,065 -3 Internets	Wordpress, yes. __________________ 360 / PSN - LenasUchiha

10-19-2007, 08:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
Warrik Ive been reading these boards since noows....that makes me uber Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 2,058 +1 Internets	As far as WSYWIG's go, I feel Dreamweaver CS3 is still the best.

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