A guide to resources to help would be Webmasters get started.

You are user number since April 13, 1999.

     Getting started on your first Web page can be a trying experience if you don't have someone to help you along.  So, I've created this page to get you started.  It contains links to all sorts of resources to help you along.  I will be adding more as I find them.  Help me by telling me about any you find.

     First, you will need a Web site.  If you haven't gotten (or can't get) one from your Internet service provider, don't loose hope.  There are a number of providers of Web page service available.  Some charge and some offer for free.  Most require that it be for non-commercial use and others have restrictions of their own.  If you are a ham radio operator, QSL Net offers free Web pages to hams and radio clubs.  For other users, check the 'Where to get a free Web page' link that documents a number of sites that give free Web pages.  For those 'Down Under' (or even if you're not 'Down Under'), try Matilda.  Or try the looking on the Justfreestuff free Web site listings.

     Next, you will need an HTML editor and an FTP client program.  America Online(r) used to offer a free Web page editor but has discontinued it. As yet, I've not found a new one. If you have any suggestions, let me know. A good FTP program is made available by IPSWITCH.  Click on the link and download it from there.  Another good site to check is 'Sitemine', a database that allows you to search for HTML software, clients, and other resources.

     You should play with the AOLPress editor and get to know it.  Type some text into the Window.  Highlight the 'Title:' field and name your page (this is what the users will see on the Netscape or Internet Explorer heading when they bring up your page).  Move into the 'Location:' field and name the file you will save your work to.

     To get started on your first page, you should learn to set the colors on your page, format your text, make links, and be able to insert graphics.  If you can do these four things, you are off to a good start.  So, let me tell you how.  You can print this page and follow the instructions if you wish.  Please follow them carefully.

     Select 'Format', then 'Page Attributes' from the toolbar.  A Window will pop up that looks like a form.  Click on 'color' and you will be able to select the background color for your page.  Click on the color you want.  Next, select 'Normal:' and then select the color you want the text to be.  Repeat this for the 'Link:' (to select the color your hypertext links will be) and 'Visited Link:' (to select the color that links you have already seen will be) and then hit 'OK' and you will see the new color(s) come up on your new page.

     Formatting your text is not difficult.  Type a short line in the Window.  Click and drag to highlight your text.  Then, click on 'Format' and you will see what appear to be standard font control (for the most part).  Select 'Type Style' to italicize, bold, underline, etc. and 'Heading' to select one of the six standard font sizes used on Web pages.  Select 'Paragraph' and you will be able to center, right justify, or left justify your highlighted text.

     Making links is a breeze.  Highlight the text (or a graphic) by click and dragging.  Then, click on 'Element' then 'Link'.  In the 'Link to Page:' field, enter the URL of the page you wish to link to.  For an email link, select 'E-mail Link' instead and insert the desired email address in the 'Send email to:' field.  In either case, hit the 'OK' button when finished.

     Graphic images that may be used on Web pages include .gif and .jpg files.  You can get free ones from the sites listed below, have your own made or make your own with different graphic programs (I will not attempt to address making your own graphics here).  Assuming that you already have the graphic you wish to insert, click on 'Element' then 'Image' and a special window will pop up.  If you click on the 'Browse' button, you can find the graphic file by filename and press 'OK'  once you have located and highlighted it.  Click on the alignment choice (it is usually best to select 'middle') and then press 'OK'.  Your image should now appear in the main window as it will look on your Web page.

     You will need access to graphics to use for your site.  These sites offer graphics that may be used for free.  Some require that you put a link back to their site if you use their images.  Please read the rules of the Web site when you choose your graphic images.  If you are using 'Netscape', you can save an image off of a page by right clicking on it.  A window will pop up that will allow you to save it.  Be sure to put it in a directory where you can find it.

              If you are daring, check out these sites that have Java applets available.  I just did my Java assignment for the 'Advanced Webmastering' course I am taking. Check out my page at: http://www.mishmash.com/ca273/week14 and email your comments to me.

Big Nose Bird

Perl Guy



     You have created your page.  Now, it is time to upload the file(s) to your page.  Use the FTP program to connect to your page.  If your provider is 'freepages.com' (for example), double click on the FTP program.  When the program comes up, a window will come up for the site information.  Enter 'Free Pages' in the 'Profile Name' field and 'freepages.com' in the 'Host Name/Address' field.  If you don't know what kind of server your page is on, select 'Automatic Detect'.  If you do know the server type, choose it.  Then enter your user ID and password (given to you by the page provider) and press 'OK'.  You will connect to the site and see the file directory of your Web page.

     Click on your new HTML file and press the arrow button pointing to the right.  The file will now upload itself to the Web site.  Once it is uploaded, click to highlight it and press the 'Rename' button.  Type in the filename 'index.html' and press 'OK'.  Your file should now appear in the Web page under the new filename 'index.html'.

     Upload all of the graphic files you used by clicking on each of them and pressing the right arrow button.  Once this is completed, press 'Close' and then 'Exit' and you should be done.

     Bring up your browser and pull up the URL (http://www.freename.com/yourname) that was given to your Web page by the provider.  See if it works properly and how good it looks.

     You would think the job would be done.  But, not true.  You will get no activity on your Web page until you list it in the search engines such as 'Yahoo' and 'Webcrawler'.  There are an enormous number of search engines on the Internet.  However, you have to report your new page to them or it won't be listed.  A good way to do this is to go to Site Owner and list it there.  Once you reach this link, go to the fields under 'Submit It!  Free:'.  Enter the URL of your page and your email address in the respective fields and then press 'Submit It'.  Your page will be immediately submitted to seven different search engines.  In a few days, your page should start to see some traffic.  Another site to list from is: Add4Free.  You might also try 'Link-O-Matic'.  Also, try:

Submit Your Website

A really neat site for counter digits is : Digitmania. You can get the hit counter software at: WWW Homepage Access Counter and Clock!.

     Remember that for a page to be really noticed, it must be interesting *and* have a pleasing appearance.  Pages will clashing colors, ugly graphics, or boring content will not do as well.  With a little creative thinking, a little time, and a little patience, you should be able to come up with a good site.  Don't overwhelm the page with huge or large numbers of graphics.

     Once you're up and running, I'd appreciate it if you'd send me email with the URL (http://www.xxxxxxxx.com) of your new page.  I want to create a list of personal Web pages that were created by those I helped.  I remember getting started.  It took a lot of time because there wasn't much help out there.  Hopefully, I've made this easier for you.  Click on the email image at the bottom of the page to send me a note.

     Also, if you have suggestions for the page (including, but not limited to: graphic sites, free providers of Web pages, other page resources, revisions to the procedure I've described, etc.), please click on the email image below to tell me about them.  If they are appropriate, I'll be glad to add them.

     The Bullets were from the Graphics Library.  The text graphics were made at the 'Zygraphics' site.


The Spot For All Web Designing NeedsLink to bignosebird.comNic's JavaScript Page

Revised:  January 19, 2002