Cleo, my 7th grader, would like your advice on software for making her website. She currently uses Microsoft Publisher from 1997.

What is she wanting to do with her website that Publisher can't do? How's her knowledge of HTML? Is she willing to learn some basic HTML?

Sure, she's willing to learn HTML. What she wants is a program with more layout features.

Next logical question, how much do we want to spend?

As a student, she's eligible to get DREAMWEAVER (http://www.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?T1=44581646) for $90 ($300 less than retail) !
There's little one can't do with this software.

For $200, she can get the Studio suite, with Dreamweaver, Flash, Freehand and Fireworks.
With all that, she can create a multimedia extravaganza!

Do you already have webspace? If not you can build your site at moonfruit.com. They have a great site builder, with tons of bells and whistles, using flash, but very intuitive... Am i overgeeking?? sorry... In terms of spending using this service would save you some money, and give you access to making a pretty site, not sure how much you'd learn there.

In terms of learning there are some great HTML editors available for free, which would color code your input, making it easier to navigate, and see what your doing (or in my case find my mistakes faster) Do a search for a tool called FirstPage. It's free!

I use HotDog, by Sausage Software.

... but if you don't already know HTML, it would be pretty useless.

A great text for HTML is "Creating Web Pages with HTML" by Patrick Carey and Mary Kemper.
My wife took a course based on this book.
When done, she was writing HTML like a 3rd language.

Most of web design softwares simply automate HTML.
It really helps to have a good background in HTML.

I use dreamweaver or frontpage..I also use photoshop for making my own graphics...:)

As a student, she's eligible to get DREAMWEAVER (http://www.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?T1=44581646) for $90 ($300 less than retail) !
There's little one can't do with this software.

I agree. If you think this is a serious desire to learn to make real, well-built web pages and sites, this is the way to go. It's the standard, and at that price it's a steal. I just started using a trial copy and I don't think I'll be able to go back to just a text editor anymore.

Otherwise, free is good.

at that price it's a steal.

The "educational" version, although the full version, is for non-commercial use only.
If/when her site becomes a money maker, or she continues in web design, the next purchase should be the commercial upgrade.

Another vote for dreamweaver. it's difficult at the beginning to learn but it's the best.

I personally like NetObjects Fusion (http://www.netobjects.com). It builds the site for you and has preset page design layouts. You can get this software FREE, by signing up for a hosting plan from 1 & 1 internet hosting. That's what I did and I love it! You can design pages just like in publisher. 1 & 1 also just added a Flash website designer to their list of options for thier customers. I haven't played with it yet, but it's certainly worth a look!

Cleo sez ...

Thanks!

Another vote for dreamweaver. it's difficult at the beginning to learn but it's the best.

There's a great text, Dreamweaver MX H.O.T (Hands On Training), that will teach the software very well.

Once you create a website with publisher how do you get it on the internet for other people to view? Where do you buy the web space for it? I dont know much about making site but I have used publisher before and it was fun and easy but I was wondering about he next step.

Once you create a website with publisher how do you get it on the internet for other people to view? Where do you buy the web space for it? I dont know much about making site but I have used publisher before and it was fun and easy but I was wondering about he next step.

First you register a domain name ie: disneysbiggestfan.com. Then you have to find somewhere to host your files. there are tons of them out there. then just upload your files to wherever you have your webspace at.

Where do you buy the web space for it?
Do you want free or are you willing to pay? There are a few places that offer limited but free web hosting. Or, for less than $10 a month there are even more that will offer a lot more features and space.

I personally have been using iPowerweb (http://www.ipowerweb.com) for my web hosting. You just upload your files via FTP and there you go. There are other good ones though like Go Daddy (http://www.godaddy.com). Search around and I'm sure you'll find others. For a little more than $10/month there's Yahoo's web hosting. I've used their site builder before, and even though I prefer to code my pages by hand I kind of enjoyed the ease of putting together the pages in their WYSIWYG editor. It makes for faster layout and easier updating.

Thanks :)

I manage my domains through GoDaddy.com. You can get a domain for $7 to $8 a year, and they have sales for even cheaper than that. As far as hosting, I use HostDime, them have a really easy to use, feature-filled interface.


I personally have been using iPowerweb (http://www.ipowerweb.com) for my web hosting. You just upload your files via FTP and there you go. There are other good ones though like Go Daddy (http://www.godaddy.com).

I used iPowerweb for a good while, I just found that HostDime was easier to use. (don't have to use FTP software, either...)

I used iPowerweb for a good while, I just found that HostDime was easier to use. (don't have to use FTP software, either...)
iPowerweb has a new control panel, but I'm not familiar with it since I haven't upgraded to it. It's suppose to be really easy to use though. But even the now older cpanel has built in file management so you don't have to use FTP software.

I was also going to switch my domain registration over to Go Daddy, but I'm not renewing next year anyway so it doesn't matter now.

keep an eye out for their domain name sales... I got one of my .net domains for $4 a year :-)