A Blast from the Past: an article from Website Review, MSN Groups

The following is an article I wrote (under my pseudonym, "LtCmdr Kirby") for a MSN Groups wiki, all about website design. We would contribute articles, share comments on discussion threads, and act as critics offering pointers on designing websites.-

The Website Review Magazine TheWebsiteReviewMagazine@groups.msn.com
Commentary : From member Kirby: Want to start a website cheap?

From: LtcmdrKirby (Original Message) Sent: 10/12/2003 7:46 AM
The types of websites vary from flashy displays of the latest graphic designers to simple black&white text. While you may aspire to creating fun, image laden pages, or merely want a place to express your particular interests, it's not hard getting your feet wet. But it can be costly if you aren't careful....
Certain items can make it easier;

* A good scanner. It doesn't have to be the latest model, but should be of good quality resolution. This will allow you to obtain images from many sources, as well as copy text from magazines and books (but be careful about copyright!).
* A good camera. This will give you the ability to capture images yourself. Notice that I didn't specify "digital" camera. That's because film developers now will often transfer prints to disc for you. A good work horse of a 35mm camera will suffice...
* A graphics editing program thats easy to use. You want to crop photos and images, and change formats so a JPEG can be a GIF when necessary.
* A documents editor program specifically for scanners. This allows you to copy text from printed matter, correct any errors, and transfer it to a format you intend to use. Doing this allows you to save time from having to type in any material you wish to quote. If you want to put say, a poem by Tennyson or a stanza from the bible, you now can do so without typing out the full text. Of course, the editing process can also be tedious..

Now the question is; How do you go about building the website? There are books about the subject available in bookstore and the library. I recommend going to the library first, finding the books that seem easiest for you to follow, then buying a copy of the particular ones. You will often need to look up some detail. Magazines also appear on the newstands that will help you. I would reccomend SmartComputing Learning series Web Tools.

Also available now are CD sets that take you through the procedures and instruct you on HTML, as well as provide instruction for WhatYouSeeIsWhatYouGet (WYSIWYG) programs.

You can, of course, use the 'cookie-cutter' programs provided by your Server. Geocities , MSN, Delphi, et. al. provide ready-to-go formats that you fill with the content. But you are stuck with the look they provide you. Your ability to change graphic displays will be limited.

Getting started in HTML is difficult at first, and may require constant referrals to a list of "tags" to remember how to do specific things. A program that will allow you do make referals on the keyboard might help.

If you'd prefer to skip some of the HTML (be sure you get familiar with it anyway... you never know when it's needed!) you can obtain WYSIWYG programs. Frontpage and Dreamweaver are the most popular. But both can be fairly expensive. Instead of the latest edition, see if you can get a previous one. Web surfing will turn up sites that sell old programs for less than the price of the newest. Bargain outlet stores sell off old software. And don't forget Flea markets, Library sales, and yardsales! Someone's upgrade may provide you with an opportunity...

You can also get copies of software 'trials' from magazines and books. Check the Library for manuals on certain programs, and see if it comes with a demonstartion CD, and check the stands for magazines with free CD trial versions of software. The trial version will usually only last about 1 to 3 months, but will provide you with a good start on a website...

Other Webpage Building packages may give you some WYSIWYG style controls, but also require you to be familiar with HTML to operate. There's nothing wrong with that. It's often the challenges that the software makes for you that teaches you the most about what you can do. Don't pass one up, just because it's more primative than you'd prefer...

All-in-all, the most fun comes from connecting with an audience. The process that it takes to launch your website won't necessarily be pretty, but it will be worthwhile.