I want to open my own webpage--how do I go about it?

[librarycard]

What do you recommend?

[Melodybe]

1. If you have a spare computer...

Get FreeBSD or Mac OS X running on it.

Install apache, php, zlib, mysql, and go to www.mamboserver.com for a great CMS.

All the software is free (except mac os x if you own a mac)

Then get DynDNS.org to point to your webserver and BOOM.

This is assuming you have DSL/Cable or better, and you spend the time to familiarize yourself with the software installation. Most all of it is trouble free.

[da_chimperor]

2. I'd first get some web page software

I'd personally recommend Adobe GoLive. It's not exactly for beginners, but if you spend some time going though the tutorial, it's pretty easy to learn and logically laid out. Price is an issue though, it's kinda pricey. PageMaker from Microsoft is much cheaper, but I really don't like it. After that, you can get it hosted somewhere, usually for free if you have ads on your page.

Alternatively, you can skip buying software altogether (which may be the better option for you) and find a site that will allow you to build and host your page on line. Angelfire from lycos is an option. I have no idea how good it is though.

http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/doc/zones/build.html

Ask around some more, or look around on line and you should be able to find lots of information. Good luck!

On edit: You might want get a copy of 'creating web pages for dummies'. That will probably be one other easiest ways to get going with it.

[MercutioATC]

3. godaddy.com to register the name, dr2.net to host it

That's who I use, anyway. Inexpensive, and great customer service.

[da_chimperor]

4. The name totally turns me off

godaddy? Come on, could they have picked a more screwball name? :shrug:

[MercutioATC]

5. Agreed, but it's cheap registration...

DR2.net is run by a couple of 18-year-olds who really know their stuff and are small enough to have great customer service. I've never had a problem.

[huellewig]

6. I would start with learning HTML

Take a look at http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_www.asp

It is really easy. After that look in CSS then PHP and mySQL. But you really only need to know HTML. I would suggest learning HTML by hand and that way if you move to GoLive or Dreamweaver you know how to fix the code. I have to tweak the code by hand all the time when using Dreamweaver.

But, to start all you really need is Notepad and a place to host the files. And a domain name, I use GoDaddy and that runs about 9 dollars per year. And if you want I can let you use space on my server. I don't come close to using all of my space or bandwidth.