Well, I just want to build a website for myself...
I did it last time with the help of templates...
Call me newbie but I don't quite know about these stuffs last time...
I just want to ask, actually does it matter whether if you use GUI softwares[Microsoft FrontPage/DreamWeaver] or plain text softwares[Ms Word/Notepad] will differ?
I don't have the vital knowledge on website building using plain scratch, but I still manage to draft out a site using GUI softwares...

So should I bother the fact that I use GUI softwares? And also, can someone please state out the basics of a main page/entrance of a site?

What colour tones/ what do's and don'ts...

Thanks in advance...

*EDIT - Bolded the text to bring out the main question

This post has been edited by eXPeri3nc3: Jul 31 2006, 09:07 PM

for a start, the website page should speaks about what you are trying to send the message across...
if its about you, then it has to be about you..
your mood, what you see in this life..
the color will represent you, your favourite color and your outlook in life.

what statements you are trying to tell...
whether you are a nature lover, artistic one, or someone plain direct...

Ok thanks for the opinions... I need more.
Thanks again.

Any sample layout that I might have a reference on? E.g. Good and simple ones...
Don't worry, I won't plagiarise it...

If u tokking bout Frontpage then yea u shouldn't have a problem.
No xperience using Dreamweaver so cannot comment.

Just remember 2 xport all the relevant files (like ur background pics, deco, main HTML page etc.) to the www folder.

Additional functions such as searching database, password etc will require CGI knowledge......not as easy as designing

Recommend u go google n learn tutorials from there.

i just tried dreamweaver and microsoft front page only..
and dreamweaver generates more cleaner codes than the front page..

dont know about GUI software.. cant help on that area though...

starting off with a WYSIWYG editor like FrontPage and Dreamweaver has 1 very big fall back. you're doing and learning (if that happens) everything that's in front of you. in other words, you don't understand some of the things you're doing and if it's right or not you won't know.

learning to hard code by using Notepad or some other plain text editor allows you to understand what each code does on its own. if you were coding layouts in CSS, there's a difference doing it in a WYSIWYG editor and hard coding it out on your own. knowing the code allows you to shortlist solutions when there's a problem.

as for homepages, some articles that might be of interest.

1. New Homepage Design Trend
2. Ten Web Landing Page Tips
3. Seth Godin Speaks Simple Landing Pages

Cheers.

since you just starting to learn, just use dreamweaver,
if must use frontpage then turn off the option where it generate useless/junk code.

@etsuko, do you have links to sites that have various basic tutorials on HTML and javascript? Would you please show me a few?

And thanks to the other comments. Really appriciate it.

If u are using Frontpage, u can always use the functions there and look at the HTML codings to see what codings are inserted for a particular function. Then from there you can alter it and see wat happens..

here's soem basic HTML to help you further understand http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Guide/

Then after you have done ur designing, its time for you to learn how to upload it. And the limitations of using free hostings...

Thanks for your feedback.
I've used Frontpage before, and I've hosted my site before.
Basics stuffs is still okay for me, but I am really WYSIWYG editors...
That is the main concern...
Anyhow thanks again, and I'm awaiting for more feedbacks.
Thanks!

Most people use WYSIWYG editors too, even professionals. Cause its easier and you can see/edit the result faster. I dont think people build professional website from scratch (via notepad). So its okay to use WYSIWYG

I see. I would like to add that there is designers who really use notepad and build a website from scratch. My friend hired one and cost him around RM2k++ because it is total started from scratch not according to template.

Comments and suggestions please! Thanks.

The best one around.. www.w3schools.com

Thanks, will try it.
Any other comments and suggestions?

You can use notepad to all kinds of software tool to make nice website as long as it gives you ease of usage and feel comfortable designing with. Last but not least, self satisfaction ^^

Hi, I get what you mean, but one needs basic knowledge to HTML and CSS if he/she uses notepad to craft a website... Unfortunately I'm still newbie, I still need to rely on WYSIWYG softwares...

I do not know anything about HTML raw coding...

HTML is the easiest. Among all web programming language, it's the basic for everything about web page. Try to learn it, it's the basic and easiest to learn.

I see, will take your advice, thanks a lot

HTML/CSS is for layout. Others like ASP, PHP is for function.

so can't really say as "HTML is the easiest. Among all web programming language" because they are different thing.

If one cannot understand html, ASP or PHP won't be easy to learn either.