Newbie Needs Direction

[Apostle]

From what I've been reading on this site, it seems experienced folks believe it's best to learn the HTML and use Notepad rather than rely on a WYSIWYG editor....I could go either way...

I have no prior knowlege or experience at building websites, but I want to learn. Would anyone recommend this book or not? :confused:

http://www.sitepoint.com/books/html1/


Would this be a good way to begin my journey? I'm interested in publishing some simple websites for fun with photos, clips, family info, etc. Then develop a site for my wife to sell some products. Who knows beyond that...Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

[ValhallaComics]

Looks good. I might pick that up to re-polish my HTML knowledge and learn how to use CSS. I can edit css... but building it is a pain in my butt. Good find. I'd recommend buying it on Amazon.com though.

[some guy from mars]

I am also new at designing web sites and learned a lot from reading two books: Designing Web Sites For Dummies and Designing Web Pages For Dummies. Another book that comes highly recommended is Search Engine Optimization For Dummies.

I designed my first site on Dreamweaver but recognize the fact I need to learn more about HTML code.

[Xumedia]

You should learn HTML, but programs like Macromedia's Dreamweaver or Microsoft's FrontPage are advanced and easy to use WYSIWYG editors which can be very helpful to a new webmaster.

[nicco]

i think that using a book will accelerate your learning curve..
i used Dreamweaver at first and never let go.
I would save webpages left and right and look at them in Dreamweaver to figure them out. any other What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editor will be fine, but i wouldn't recomment frontpage to start. it seems a little confusing and the whole 'frontpage extentions' going corrupt is a pain.

For FTP (to put your files online) I always used SMART FTP (.com) for free and its fine. there is also CuteFTP and other that you can get for free on download.com

( For simpler sites) Once you know how to make a table and setup the basic 'template' then you can start adding pictures, text, links, etc..

personally, for HTML i always just googled something to learn how to do it.
once you get the basic and commands, then you can tinker with javascript (get them from free sites also) and other 'bells and whistles'.

Now the shopping cart for the commerce site is a whole 'nother animal, but in time you can learn how to incorporate the shopping cart.

in short (cause I'm rambling), is to get the book, get Dreamweaver or other editor, get an FTP program and open an account with Bluehost.

and you off!!!..

the forums will help get you through any rough spots..

just my 2 cents.
good luck
nicco

[SVFan]

When I started making website, there was no such thing as a WYSIWYG editor. The first ones were absolutally appauling. The new ones have thier issues, but for the most part a novice could make a perfeclty fine web page using one and many do and do well with it. However even as complex and in depth as FrontPage and Dreamweaver have become, they can't do everything and do make mistakes. This is where having an underlying knowledge of exactly how HTML works becomes an advantage.

I primarily learned by hitting "View Source" on my favorite web sites and going line by line looking and thinking...Ok, this made this happen...alright, how did this do that? Then I'd look it up. Of course these days with database driven websites where the HTML your browser gets isn't necessarily what is required to create it, things get a little more complicated.

For me, I would recommend any basic HTML book. Take the time to learn the basics. That way, when your WYSIWYG editor doesn't do what you want. You at least have the foundation work to troubleshoot and figure out a solution.

You don't have to use notepad. You could use Dreamweaver in "Split" mode and see "Live" the results of your hand coding.

[duesouth]

I started out with MS Publisher and found it was very easy to use. Also some CMS systems allow wysiwyg editors. Joomla has a steep learning curve, e107 is very easy to learn. Check out my sites and see what you think.

Also you can go to my business site http://www.jasservices.giganticusart.com. The opening pages are done n MS Publisher. :)

[Nascency]

Apostle, go to Amazon.com or your nearest big name bookstore (such as Barnes & Noble) and find this book:

HTML For The World Wide Web, 5th Edition by Elizabeth Castro.

When I learned to code, a friend sent me an email with the very basics. The rest I learned on my own and especially from that book. The way Elizabeth Castro explains things makes it so easy.

Just my opinion: learning to hand code is a very valuable skill. I personally find editors annoying, and you don't learn very much if that's ALL you use. With all the different browsers out there, you can't be afraid to dive into the code and "get dirty", because sometimes that's what it takes to make stuff work. ;)

If you ever need help with anything, just PM me.

[Apostle]

Thank you all very much for your responses. This forum is very helpful.:)