I've been looking for a good forum to do some discussion on Web Design as I do it for a hobby, but also finding a good forum to improve my knowledge.

I know basic HTML and that is about it, but I'm pretty efficient with Microsoft Frontpage, and have slowly been weaning over to Expression Web, but I'm not 100% sure if I want to buy the program just yet.

So, I've got SEVERAL Questions right now:

1.) If I just do the basic Visual Design in Frontpage, and Upload them to the Server via a FTP Program of my choice instead of the "publish" feature in Frontpage (which Severs no longer recognize - I think) would the basics of the site still work and function correctly, even though no Frontpage Extensions are being used (No Forms or anything that requires Frontpage Extensions).

2.) I would like to have a Blog type setup on the index (Home Page) so I can enter updates or news stories when I need to and ect, but I would like to be able to do so from a Cellular Phone or Other Computers if I had to.

So, I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but previously I would have to enter Frontpage at home, enter a small section of the story, and then enter a hyperlink to the rest of the story, where I had to manually create another page for the rest of the story.

But I find it much easier to think that if I could log onto my Website and then enter in something similar to a post or blog and have it automatically create a new page for me, and leave a paragraph or two on the home page with a Title.

Something similar to this: http://www.ohsn.org/

3.) I've been messing around with Inline Frames, and I've grown to like them, but now I'm starting to worry about the problems associated with them, as many browsers or the older ones at least do not recognize Inline Frames.

I have areas on my website where I need to enter the information into a small space, but I do not want to stretch the website out (vertically) so by inserting a Inline Frame, I create more or less a Scrolling Text Box with the Content inside.

So my question is, is there another way to create a Scrolling Text Box that would display the content I want it to?

Thanks,

GoHooterGo

I know basic HTML and that is about it, but I'm pretty efficient with Microsoft Frontpage, and have slowly been weaning over to Expression Web, but I'm not 100% sure if I want to buy the program just yet.

Firstly, IMO moving from FrontPage to Expression would be like moving from a Hummer to a pickup truck to save gas. If you really want a program that is WYSIWYG you'd be better off getting Dreamweaver. I DO NOT use dreamweaver because I hand code, though DW it is the industry standard.

2.) I would like to have a Blog type setup on the index (Home Page) so I can enter updates or news stories when I need to and ect, but I would like to be able to do so from a Cellular Phone or Other Computers if I had to.

Some CMS such as Wordpress allow you to email a blog post from your cell phone.

Something similar to this: http://www.ohsn.org/

The website you mentioned is a joomla based website. That is FAR different than a frontpage static html site. A joomla site is a php based dynamic site where the content is stored in a database and displayed on the fly.

but I do not want to stretch the website out (vertically) so by inserting a Inline Frame

Stretching the site vertically vs. inline frames? Let the user scroll! BTW - You can put any content into a div that is set to overflow:scroll and get scroll bars within only that area. Don't resort to frames.

Final note. It sounds like you'd like to go more toward learning CMS type sites. In this case I wouldn't bother buying ANY WYSIWYG software. Just pick a CMS such as Drupal, joomla or Wordpress(my fav) and spend time learning that. Then learn about some coding from somewhere like http://www.w3schools.com/ so you always have the ability to do exactly what you want with any type of website.

Good luck. I hope this answers some of your questions.

Thanks for the reply.

I will look it over a bit and then see if I have any more questions, but I'm sure I do.

Maybe it would help to explain what kind of site I run and what I plan to do to it.

I run a Local High School Football Site that has TONS's of it's history, every game they have ever played from 1895 to Now, which is over 1,000+ Games, and I have a page for each opponent they have played and the game scores, results and ect.

So, easily there is 150 or so Pages in just that which takes forever to input the data since I couldn't figure out an easier way to take the Data from my excel document to fit the format in the tables I wanted it on html.

But, on the Home Page, I just want to write a few Blog like Posts about the History or what is going on currently in the program, or just my thoughts in general.

As I explained previously, I would just type the story out in Frontpage, and then Link it to the remainder of the story which would take you to /news/story.html for example.

I figured that any kind of log on would require me to create a database, but I do not know how to do that, as I plan on creating a phpbb forum to add to the site also, and I know that uses a database also.

I will look over that link and see what I can learn, but I'm planning on taking Web Design I at my local Community College, as I'd like to expand my knowledge into Web Design for fun.

Don't be afraid to install databases. In most cases your c-panel will have auto installs of all the major CMS's. This will create the databases for you. All you'll have to do is create some passwords, etc.

Any site with that many pages is such a plus to be done through something like Wordpress since you won't be creating a page for every single new story. You just type the story into a text editor in the admin area, press publish and your page is live.

The CMS's will allow you to organize your blog posts into categories too. So, for instance, in your case you could have categories for games, news, events, team fund-raisers, schedules, etc. Then you would create "pages" which are for more permanent information like "contact us" or your "history" page.

I don't mean to keep pushing WP but it just seems to be such a nice fit for you.

Originally Posted by racer x

I don't mean to keep pushing WP but it just seems to be such a nice fit for you.

That is not a problem, but in fact the opposite. I came here for answers and ideas and that is what your contributing, (BOTH).

I took a quick look over WordPress and it seems to be DEAD ON to what I wanted.

Just a program to post stories and ect, but the more I thought about it, I don't want to be a "news" type service, but more of a Blog Service, and when I went to WordPress.com, I was greeted with: WordPress > Blog Tool and Publishing Platform. Also,

WordPress is a state-of-the-art publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability. WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

So, I'm liking it. Also, the reason I have so many different pages is because they all contain data intended for my consumers, but most of it will never change or be updated, but it's there for fans to research or take interest.

Such as example of a High School Football Team we haven't played since the 1950's, but when we have played them around 30-40 Games, it will have it's own Page (opponentteam.html) that will have the Year, Results, Win/Loss and then on the Bottom, Total Win, Losses, Ties, Points Scored and ect.

But I find the issue to be since I was trying to enter a Table into another Table by copying and pasting from my Excel Spreadsheet, it would throw the entire thing out of whack, so I would then have to figure out a way to copy and paste to finally get it into the Format that I want.

Once I get the site back up, I'll be able to show and explain more of what I am talking about however.

But, I've never heard of a way, and I'm sure there has to be a way, because of Sites like ESPN.com, NBA.com, NFL.com which has thousands of pages, at least one for each player on an active roster, which changes daily like Statistics, I know there has to be a way they enter it in once, and it updates everything else using that information.

I know how to do that in Excel so that way I only enter the information on 1 Spreadsheet and it'll update all of my other Spreadsheets based on that information. Is there a way to do that in webdesign?

Also, I've been using 1&1 for my Hosting Company, but I'm not happy with them and their service, as they have billed me for things that I have tried to cancel and they refuse to do so and ect.

So, when I get my site unlocked (Cave in and pay them for the services I did not use or want) what Hosting Companies do you recommend?

I've been reviewing some Web Hosting Services and I've read a lot of good reviews about WebHostingPad.com

I also checked up on 1&1.com and there are more people then I thought that agree with me on their services, they suck!

My personal fav is Hostgator. I have not used very many, but I can tell you it has worked well for me. It has a one click install for Wordpress. Other than a small problem I had lately, which they resolved right away, I have had no complaints. There was a survey done on this site for favorite host companies, very helpful.(I don't know the link off hand)

I know I have seen some stuff about uploading excel spreadsheets and I am trying to find them again! I cannot vouch for any of them as I have not used them but here's one for now:
http://www.zackpreble.com/2008/03/28...nto-wordpress/

I have heard that the FCK editor(http://www.drostdesigns.com/wordpres...ith-fckeditor/) replaces the standard Wordpress editor and can import Excel spreadsheets. Hopefully someone here can jump in and help us out if they've had experience! There may be a way for Google docs to wordpress too.

I'll keep looking! I am trying to finish up 3 Worpress sites this weekend so I'm a little busy, sorry if I don't reply right away.

Good luck!

racer x,

You've been extremely helpful!

Just curious, what payment methods does HostGator.com accept? I've been hoping for a Paypal Accepted Company, but one that doesn't require Credit Cards. Not a big deal, just easier for me to manage.

As always, I'll look over the links, but meanwhile, I'll be trying to get my site unlocked, and then we can get into more detailed discussions on here.

Thanks,

Go Hooter Go

You're very welcome! Glad I could help.

Yes, I am on a auto monthly pay for Hostgator through my Paypal account.

Well, I finally got the site back up:

www.fremontrossfootball.com

It may seem a bit bare on the Home Page, that is because I haven't updated it in a long time, but you'll get the idea of what I'm trying to accomplish by looking over several pages.

Alright, I've got my new layout down in my head and .gif



The only question I have right now is judging from SEVERAL WordPress Websites, they all seem to have the same layout, but I wish to keep a lay out similar to what I have currently on the website that I posted: www.fremontrossfootball.com

Possible? Would I have to do this in WordPress, editing and ect, or could I create an html file and then enter WordPress in the middle of it?

Also, what do you think of the website or layout.

Thanks,

Go Hooter Go

Yes, many wordpress templates have a 2 column layout. But there are several for three column. Be sure to check out third party sites such as: http://blogsessive.com/blogging-tool...dpress-themes/

Getting into theming for Wordpress is a bit more work than simply using a pre-made template. The template can be modified a lot by some CSS and your own images, but to truly create a unique wordpress site from scratch is much more work. You can take a look at this video to see if that is up your alley: http://css-tricks.com/video-screenca...ress-part-one/

Extremely stupid question as I forgot what happens.

When I switch my hosting and go through the DNS Process, the Hosting Company just switches my Website to a new company around 2-3 Days, but I wouldn't have to Re-Upload my site again now would I?

I'm still having a hard time deciding on a hosting company.

I've reviewed both HostGator.com and WebHostingPad.com and both look great, with WebHostingPad.com being $1.99 a month (3 Years).

However, you can never believe the reviews anyways.

What I would like is a Hosting Company that has an easy Forum Generator, that would allow you to create a decent Forum.

Here is the list of the "auto install" programs that 1&1 Offers.



However, I can't see too much of HostGators Control Panel. The demo just gives you a very small screenshot more or less.

WebHostingPad's Control Panel has a pretty good Demo, with Video Tutorials.

http://x3demob.cpx3demo.com:2082/fro...36612127241411

I watched that WordPress Tutorial and I don't think I'll have much of a problem installing it.

racer_x,

Sorry to flood so many questions at ya, but I finally installed the WordPress, which I will admit was easy once I found the right Tutorial and didn't make any dumb mistakes.

Just curious, how do I get it to leave my name and date posted? Right now, it's just doing the Date.

http://www.fremontrossfootball.com/

That's ok! I am sorry, but I don't understand the question. The link goes to the old site that is not wordpress?

Where do you want your name and date posted?

It seems I'll need a good knowledge of CSS to be able to edit the site's layout and look, which is something I'll need to learn.

I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to create large mega tables like I had on the old site, but this is all I can get as of right now:

http://www.fremontrossfootball.com/?page_id=2

I transferred an old page without the images, so you can get a clear example of what kind of table I'm talking about:

http://www.fremontrossfootball.com/sandusky.html

racer x,

I'm not sure what I'm even talking about. I will most likely start a new thread as this one is bouncing from place to place with questions.

More or less, I got WordPress installed, and I see it, I'm learning how to do things in WordPress and ect.

My one question relating to WordPress is I have written two posts, and it gives the Date it was Posted, but not by who:



I know most of them should say by Administrator or the Person who wrote the Article.

But my biggest problem is trying to find a way to insert a good looking table like the one that I had on this site:

www.fremontrossfootball.com/sandusky.html

(It doesn't have any of the images, since they do not have the correct path since I have moved the old site to a new folder as a backup)