Building a website

[AnarchyAo2]

Hey guys. I was just wondering what programs you guys used to build your sites. Do you have any suggestions on any good books to help me build one? Or any good webhosts?

[evre]

The best book I've found on learning and applying HTML code is the one from the visual quickstart guide series. Here it is at books-a-million (http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=2761815530600&pid=0201354934).

I'm not a very good web designer, but for years I used Netscape Composer, a little program that comes with the browser. Recently I've been using Adobe GoLive.

...and as for webspace? I got lucky for mine; it's all free because I knew the webmasters from another forum. I've been looking into getting a domain recently, though, and Doteasy.com (http://www.doteasy.com/index.cfm?) was reccomended to me. You should think about how much webspace and bandwith you might need before choosing a host, though.

[Gort]

Evre's suggestion for Visual Quickstarts is a great start. Peachpit Press make these Guides for just about everything (Maya, Photoshop, 3DSMax, etc); they're very informative, easy to read and priced reasonably ($20-$25).

As designer specializing in web based applications, websites, etc., I have used nothing but Dreamweaver by Macromedia. The latest version, Dreamweaver MX 2004, is a rock solid application offering strong support for CSS and dynamic database conectivity. Most of the programmers I know that have tried Dreamweaver say it is the best html editor/site builder they've tried out (meaning that they still have other preferences). As a creative I have been using it professionally for four years and can honestly say it's great--I love it.

The only drawback to it is the price. If you're a student (or know someone that is) definitely look into academic pricing.

Fireworks
People ask me why I don't use or suggest using Fireworks. Since FW generates it's own html constructs, it has a tendacy to generate cluttered html. If you're a designer wanting to get into web development, you're better off using Dreamweaver, as it'll give you a more hands on approach to designing the site shell and having better control over how many lines are added to your source; however, if it isn't your career endeavor then experiment with Fireworks, Frontpage or any other similar application.

Hosting
Hostlane.com is reasonable for basic hosting. If you're wanting to build complex dynamic sites with databse connectivity, then look at webhost4life.com or Brinkster.com

Hope that helps and I didn't freak you out.

[Roam]

Dreamweaver is nice, but very bloated. You need a good PC to run 2004 well.

I personally hand code with Homesite or plain ole notepad. Do yourself a favor and learn html, and after that, CSS. Then you're set. I recommend: w3schools (http://www.w3schools.com)

[Gort]

Dreamweaver is nice, but very bloated. You need a good PC to run 2004 well.
What do you mean bloated? Do you mean it's too complex for you to want to try and learn or bloated in terms of system resources? If the latter I disagree with you. I've run it just fine on a 500 mhz dev box and a 1 gig laptop. System setups for PCs differ. Like I said it depends on just how you plan on using the app; what are your intiatives? You can handcode just fine with Dreamweaver, and I have to say as someone that's used Homesite, Dreamweaver is presently lightyears ahead; the CSS support in the current version is extraordinary. I'm not saying Homesite isn't any good, because it is a good piece of software; however, to reiterate my point, if you're serious about moving forward and seriously embellishing your skills in web development, Dreamweaver is a great start.

Good point on W3Schools; I reference that site periodically.

[Morlok]

I use notepad - but maybe thats cuz im a programmer! lol!. If i dont feel like witing 100 percent of the code - i use Microsoft Interdev 6 - Honestly it writes the cleanest code ive seen for a code generating program (and DONT get Frontpage EVER!)

[Arcthurus]

For all my projects I use Dreamweaver Mx 2004 and photoshop, thats all you need, weel, and of course a lot of patience.

If you are going to build a website with a high level back end, i recomd you Home Site

[Gort]

:D :D :D

http://www.somethingawful.com/inserts/articlepics/photoshop/software/Mulvany492_notepad.jpg

There's a lot more of that silliness here, although not all of it is reflective of my views (some sensitive, perhaps distateful stuff--I warned ya):

http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=443

[ducktape]

I used a shell account and "HTML for dummies". I've heard never use anything that assumes you are dumb, but now years later I know enough HTML to make a descent website!

And remember - KISS! (Keep it simple silly!) ;)

[Ezicaya]

Best advice is to learn HTML then CSS, DHTML. Use notepad for the time being.

Dreamweaver is for developing and maintaining larger websites, It's full of stuff that's going to confuse you in your early stages of web development.

[TheDirtSyndicate]

i dont know shit about html.
i use dreamweaver and dont have any problems.
wait until my new site gets posted. im really happy with it

[Gort]

i dont know shit about html.
i use dreamweaver and dont have any problems.
wait until my new site gets posted. im really happy with it

word.