15 Work page: Web Page

### OLD ###  copied to 'page 4'


Web Page  (for Nov 14, 2012 presentation)
(This is 'Tab 4' at top of BilltownWeb.org, edited 11/12/2012)

A. Intro:

  1. Many ways to create a web page; code in HTML, use a Wordpress.org template, use one of the many free template systems (like Blogger, Weebly, Yola), use a paid template system like Homestead.com, use a 'web authoring tool like Dreamweaver, and probably many more.
     
  2. The Brown Library's knowledgeable webmaster Charles Ormsbee does NOT recommend this "free system" at all.  He prefers using Wordpress.org templates and paid hosting someplace like Hostgator.com or WebHostingPlan.com for around $24 per year.
    --Note: Charles has indicated he can provide a workshop on this technique if interested; please indicate your interest on the survey form.

  3. Please note that there is a list of some of the LOCAL WEBMASTERS on the BilltownWeb.com's Other Developers page.
    .

    B. Pluses & Minuses of The Free Systems:


  4. PLUSES: 
    *People don't have go through the complication of registering and setting up the web hosting.
    * If you're not using the page for a while, it can just sit there and not cost you anything.
  5. MINUSES: 
    *You have no guarantee your web page won't disappear.  Example would be Yahoo Geocities, Microsoft Small Office, and Homestead which went from free to $8 per month.
    * If you're not using the page for a while, it can just sit there and not cost you anything .
    *Backing up is more "challenging", since all your "work" is on someone else's servers.  I recommend printing copies,  or saving pages to your hard drive in PDF format.
  6. Facebook: Some people even use Facebook 'pages' for their web page, example Haywoods On The Water.  I find these Facebook pages somewhat cluttered and difficult to NAVIGATE, due to all Facebook's ads, over which you have no control.
    .
    C. Some of the Free Systems:

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  7. You can read the latest opinions by Googling a phrase similar to "best places to build a free website".
  8. I have experimented with Google Blogger, Google Sites, Weebly, and Yola.  I currently use Google blogger most of the time.  (Google Sites seems 'clunky' to me.)
    I would
    recommend you experiment with
    Google Blogger, Weebly, and Yola if you have time.  I personally prefer Weebly over Yola.
  9. Question: How does a Blog differ from a web page??  A blog is one form of web page, usually used somewhat like an online diary.  But a blog can be "minipulated" to look almost like a normal web page.
    .
    D. The Advantages Of Using Blogger:.
  10. You don't have to worry about paying a recurring web hosting fee every year, since Google/Blogger generously allows free hosting.
     
  11. Once you get familiar with the Blogger system, then you can use it YOURSELF, to build MORE websites at no-cost or low-cost for yourself or your friends.
  12. EDITING is simple:  Almost like sending an email, except instead of clicking a "send" button after editing, you instead click the "Update" button.
     
  13. You can add and remove "administrators" that can edit the website. You can add and remove "authors" that can edit only one or two or three specified pages with no privileges to edit the rest of the website, which "protects" an inexperienced editor from accidently damaging the website.  This feature is very useful for a GROUP.
    Other advantages:
  14.  It's part of Google, and thus financially "sound".  You don't get constant requests to "upgrade to the paid system" like other free services.
  15. Blogger allows you to build as MANY free websites as you need.  Many services limit you to only two or only 5 websites.  I have built around 50 websites on Blogger.
  16. Blogger gives you almost complete control of width and colors.  The free versions of Weebly and Yola are more restrictive.
     
  17. Photos:  If you have a LOT of photos you want to display, you can use your same Google Blogger ID, to create a free PICASA photo album.
  18. Video: You can use your same Google Blogger ID, to upload a Youtube video to "promote your cause". 

    E. The Disadvantages Of Using Blogger:
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  19. Formatting is very limited, somewhat "clunky".  (Using the 'automatic numbering' feature to type this page, has been a struggle.)
  20. Blogger is perpetually changing their system which causes features to malfunction; resulting in confusion, frustration, and lost time.
  21. Automatic spam-detection software may delete your legitimate web page (due to problems with Spammers).
  22. Support is almost non-existent.  You cannot call them nor email them.  You post your problem in a public forum and then "hope and pray" that a 'forum monitor' forwards it on to Blogger support.

    F. Examples & Demonstrations:
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  23. Blogger Examples:  CutsUnlimited.net, OasisVerde.org (note connected Picasa album), WildBillCWdance.com (note linked YouTube video), ToyTrainExpo.org (note 3 videos on same page).
  24. Login test UserID ___________, password __________
    Go to  billtowntest.blogspot.com .  Note editing procedure is on Tab 6 'Editing' on BilltownWeb.com site.
  25. Go to  billtowntest2.blogspot.com .  Note this same ID has only "Author" privileges for this blog, so can only edit just 1 page.
  26. Go to Template designer, show how colors can be modified.

    RESOURCES:
  27. Note I attempted to define the steps to setting up a new blog website on BilltownWeb's 'Settings For A New Blog' page, although this stuff is hard to keep up to date.
  28. Weebly example:  old BilltownDance site || Yola example: Old BilltownWeb site