Newbie question #1

[Cupocoffee]

My first question to Bluehost when I signed up was, "Is building a web site something a novice can do?" They assured me it is. I thought maybe they had online lessons or good help guides but I am pretty much lost. I have been playing around and at least uploaded a page .. as simple as it is. When I view my page full screen it is as I want it. When I minimize the page, all my pictures and text move around to other positions. My first question is: Is there a line of code I can place within so that when the page is minimized it does not lose the intended formatting?
Thanks

[samholton]

The old way of designing and doing layout was using tables. However, since you are new I suggest you look into CSS to do layouts (using the div tag), maybe www.w3schools.com/css Or if you are using an editor (like Dreamweaver or Frontpage) check out the corresponding tutorials for them. You can find tons of helpful information/tutorials online with some simple searches on Google.

--Sam

[redsox9]

My first question is: Is there a line of code I can place within so that when the page is minimized it does not lose the intended formatting? Thanks

Hi, Cupocoffee:

It is possible to fix the width of the content divisions in your pages, but you may want to consider the fact that people view pages with many different settings and browsers, so what may look fantastic on your screen may look frickin' awful on someone else's monitor.

Being new to web site design, I would encourage you to check out a guide that I wrote several years ago which I believe still has a lot of validity today in regards to design considerations: http://www.harbormoon.com/guide/

Out of curiosity, what is the purpose of your site? Is this going to be a simple content site or something further? I only ask because I don't know if you are aware that there a lot of canned software packages offered through BlueHost and that might be of interest to you if you are new to web site design and want to set up your site more easily.

[Cupocoffee]

Thanks Sam and Redsox9. I will check out your link Redsox9. I did briefly look at the link www.w3schools.com/css and I took their tutorial which I think has useful information for me. I am a novice in this field and it is a bit overwhelming but great fun at the same time. Redsox9 asked, "Out of curiosity, what is the purpose of your site? Is this going to be a simple content site or something further?" I am planning to ride my bicycle across America next spring and I am trying to set up a very simple journal for family and friends.
Thanks for your help

[redsox9]

I am planning to ride my bicycle across America next spring and I am trying to set up a very simple journal for family and friends.

Hello again, Cupocoffee:

I would recommend using blog software for your journal. It's very easy to add text entries as well as photos. There is also additional software available for photo collections but I am not as familiar with those.

If you go to cPanel and choose Fantastico, it takes you to a page that lists four different options for blog scripts. Fantastico then auto-installs the software; then just follow the directions to get started with your journal. I use and recommend Wordpress but I have heard good things about some of the others. For an example, you can check out my personal blog (http://www.harbormoon.com/) to give you an idea of the capabilities.

Best of luck with the site and your ride! :)