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Build a website from pages

What's the difference between a webpage and a website? A website is usually a set of pages on a common theme that are linked together. There's nothing to stop you building a working website on your computer comprising just one page, a few or many. Then, if you like it, you can publish it on the Web for all to see. In "Build a webpage" I suggested that you make a folder for all your webpage making. If you don't you'll soon get in the devil of a mess. Here's a screenshot of my folder. It contains my present websites, some projected sites and experimental work and keeps them tidy.

The screen shot below shows the innards of one of my websites.

You will see that I use sub-folders for graphics and other items that can be lumped together. This keeps things neat and tidy. Unless I adopted this method I would soon get into a terrible fix.

Before I alter work in a folder I copy the folder elsewhere on the hard drive as I may want to backtrack at some time.

"Planning a website"
Before you can start a website some planning is necessary. You will, of course, have a theme or purpose in mind. Is it to be:-

• A family site?
• A hobby site?
• An information site?
• A business site?
• Or a hybrid?

Whatever you decide, make up a complete site before you publish it on the Internet. It doesn't have to be the finished job (a website is never finished) but it should be complete in that it does a satisfactory job for the viewer. I know someone living abroad who regularly puts the latest pictures of his children, with titles, on a single page. He usually Emails friends and relatives to tell them when the pics. change and they can't wait to log on. If the guy had more time he could do more but even as it is it's satisfying and complete. It tells the story.

Nothing is more frustrating than to go to a website where half the pages are "under construction" It's so unnecessary. Make your website complete as far as it goes every time you publish it.

"Do you need an HTML editor? "
If you're going to do a fair amount of HTML coding then you'll need an HTML editor. I've used CuteHTML by Globalscape for several years, and it makes coding easier and more interesting. The Globalscape website is interesting and although you may need to delve a bit, all the information you need on CuteHTML is there, together with the offer of a free trial. Visit the Globalscape website.

Or try HTML-kit, a free and very good editor

"What is a single page?"
The answer seems obvious but it's not. Sometimes you log on to a page and what you see at first sight is all there is; one screenful. Other pages seem to go on for ever, particularly pages that are trying to sell you something. If you're like me you read the first few lines then whizz to the end of the 5-metre long page to see the price. True?

Some pundits reckon that a page should not be more than 4 -5 screens long. I don't subscribe to that. I reckon a page should do a specific job, rather like a chapter in a book. When it's done it's done and not before.

What is important though, is loading time; that is the time a page takes to appear on screen after you've clicked a link. Loading time is affected by the surfer's ISP connection. You can't do much about that, but it is also affected by the amount of material on the page. Graphics, pictures and particularly photos weigh heavy and take more time to load. Unfortunately professional web authoring firms have broadband connections and seem to design their sites with high-speed internet access in mind.

Many people still have a dial-up connection, so when designing your page bear this in mind. The pictures of the kiddies I mentioned before are big and take ages to load.

In this case I don't mind as the pictures are worth the wait, but if it was on a stranger's site I'd be up and away. Not many people will wait more than about 20 seconds for a page to at least start to load. If necessary pictures can be put on a website in a small form, a "thumbnail", then if needed can be displayed full size. Some of the most popular sites load really fast; heard of Google? or Yahoo? And notice my pages are mostly text, that is economical in loading time. So the answer to "what is a single page" is- one that tells a complete story but still loads quickly.

"Adding pages"
Most websites have more than one page and these are referenced together using links. When a mouse hovers over a link the cursor changes shape, usually into a hand. You will know all about links; all I would like to say is that as text links are usually identified by being underlined, underlining should never be used elsewhere on a web page. Instead, to make important text stand out it can be coloured, made bold, italic or larger. Links can also be made from all types of graphics.

Pages usually have filenames with the suffix .htm or .html but .html is the one most in use today. Sometimes other endings are used for special purposes. Always use lower case for filenames; upper case may work OK on your computer but not on the web.

The page of a website that needs to be seen first is known as the home page. It sets the scene for what the website is all about and is always named index.html. because this is what the hosting server needs. When you ask your browser to find a site on the Internet, the URL is the address of a folder containing many files. The browser looks for index.html and displays this first. Sometimes other filenames such as default.html work but it's better to stay with index.html.

"Checking your website before publishing"
As I said before, a website can be made in a folder on your computer and never published to the internet. It can be accessed on your computer and will look exactly as it would on the Internet if published. You simply open the folder and double-click on the index.html file to see it as if it was on the web. However you make your website this is the way to check it for appearance, content and speed of loading. It would load a little slower on your machine than on the Internet and slower still from a floppy.

Should you wish to show your website to a friend it can be saved to a floppy disk provided its size is less than about 1.3MB. This page, including the graphics, is under 40Kb so a floppy disk will hold quite a large text-based website.

Computing in general is my hobby, but making websites is the tops for me, and I'm sure you'd enjoy it too. It allows me to practice my artistic and literary skills and to keep abreast of latest developments of which there are many. I only discuss the basics here, but there is so much to learn and do.

Why not try it for yourself? You must have plenty to contribute. Pick a theme for your website and have a go, one page, then another and another. You're potentially communicating with the world. You could become a recognised authority on Glasgow Sewers, The Middle Wallop Jazz Scene or whatever else you are interested in. Write a list of potential websites now; you'll amaze yourself!

"Publishing your website"
Sooner or later you'll want to publish so find out how on the 'How to publish a website' page. That's this page finished; keep on keepin' on .