HTML / How did I build this site?

I am frequently asked two questions. The first is "how did you build this site?" and the second question is "how do I get started building my own Web site?"

First, I'll answer how I build my site. I use a combination of PhotoShop, Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Flash. PhotoShop and Fireworks for graphics, Dreamweaver for my HTML and Flash for the multimedia segments (like at the beginning of Human Body Adventure and my webquests in Notebook). I occassionally work on a PC but I always prefer my Macintosh!!!

If You Are a Beginner, Here is How You Can Get Started:

I recommend you pick up a copy of HTML for Dummies. This is probably the best source if you are starting out (or if you have already used the web-building programs but are occasionally frustrated with the results).

Now, if you know you will never learn programming (let's face it, if you are a teacher you probably don't have time!) you can set up a free Web site with something like geocities.com. You can build a simple Web site in 10 minutes with no prior knowledge using a simple form that they set-up.

I'm ready! What's next?!

Once you get through this book's exercises you are definitely ready to try one of the Web-building programs. Microsoft Front Page is everyone's first choice because it is cheap. Cheap is the best reason to use it.

If you can afford it, spring for a copy of Dreamweaver. This is a dynamite program. It does everything Front Page can do plus a lot more!

If you build a Web site with heavy graphics, I recommend you build it with either Adobe Photoshop or Fireworks (you can buy it bundled with Dreamweaver-described above). Fireworks is cheaper and easier to use than Photoshop. However, Photoshop can do a lot of things Fireworks can't (but you might not care). The deciding factor to decide between the two will be the price. Fireworks (especially if you buy it bundled with Dreamweaver) is quite a bit cheaper than Photoshop. Don't worry - you won't get burned buying either one.

To host your web site for free, I recommend using a service like geocities - they have annoying banner ads but they are free!

As for my hardware, I work on Macintosh Computers. They are faster and have a shorter learning curve.

If you have any specific questions that this page doesn't answer, you can e-mail me at webmaster@vilenski.org. Good luck and let me know if this helped!

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