Website design...help please.

[awisler]

Well, my dad has begun to branch off of his current hospital to begin his own office, and I told him i would see what I could do for making a website. People are trying to charge 20+ thousand for website creation, so im sure I could make it for much cheaper. Anyways, i know some basic HTML, and i was wondering if anyone knew what programs I would need.

I know i will need a photoshop type of program to build a background template, can anyone recommend a good version of it that still lets me customize it and has some nice features? My dad said he would spend then $700-1000 if needed for the photoshop since it would be cheaper than someone else building the site, but i was just wondering if there was a better deal.

I also was wondering on photoshop, is there a feature specifically for webdesign or do you have to design each graphic of the site seperately and somehow piece it together?

Thanks

[Erik]

Well, my dad has begun to branch off of his current hospital to begin his own office, and I told him i would see what I could do for making a website. People are trying to charge 20+ thousand for website creation, so im sure I could make it for much cheaper. Anyways, i know some basic HTML, and i was wondering if anyone knew what programs I would need.

You could write the HTML with notepad, or you could use a HTML editor.
If you use an editor you don't even have to know HTML, but you will have less control over the end result and the automatically generated HTML code is often very ugly and hard to hand-edit afterwards.
The are a lot of HTML editors around, and you can get a good one for free.

If you want to do some (slightly) more complex things I recommend learning PHP.
PHP code looks like HTML with some extensions, but it's actually a full programming language quite similar to C.
You could, theoretically, even program games in PHP.
PHP is great in combination with a database (like mySQL), to automatically generate pages based on the contents of the database.

I know i will need a photoshop type of program to build a background template, can anyone recommend a good version of it that still lets me customize it and has some nice features? My dad said he would spend then $700-1000 if needed for the photoshop since it would be cheaper than someone else building the site, but i was just wondering if there was a better deal.

I recommend the GIMP.
It's a free, open-source, equivalent to Photoshop.
The interface takes some time to get used to, but it's very powerful and has lots of features.
http://www.gimp.org/

I also was wondering on photoshop, is there a feature specifically for webdesign or do you have to design each graphic of the site seperately and somehow piece it together?

I don't know what you want to do, but I think creating the graphics separately and piecing them together in your HTML editor/code is the most straight-forward way of doing things.

[Citizen]

Lets not mess around here.

The two most commonly used programmes used in the website design/creation business are

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Dreamweaver

That is pretty much all you need. You don't need the very latest photoshop. Elements will do fine and its nice and cheap.

[Scorch]

Lets not mess around here.

The two most commonly used programmes used in the website design/creation business are

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Dreamweaver

That is pretty much all you need. You don't need the very latest photoshop. Elements will do fine and its nice and cheap.

Actually, it's Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Really, I recommend making (in photoshop or whatever) an image of what you want the site to look like and then cutting out all the individual images you'll need.

Then use Dreamweaver/Frontpage/Whatever and piece it all together.

[awisler]

thanks for all the help guys, i was also wondering is a WYSIWYG(what you see is what you get) type of program just as good as html? if so it seems like it could save a lot of time.

[Scorch]

thanks for all the help guys, i was also wondering is a WYSIWYG(what you see is what you get) type of program just as good as html? if so it seems like it could save a lot of time.

Yeah, frontpage and Dreamweaver are pretty useful.

The only problem is that sometimes the code can be difficult to edit later on using notepad since the computer code is fairly messy.

But that can be solved by simply using the WYSIWYG editor again.

[Citizen]

Actually, it's Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Oh, okay, I am so sorry... you know best, clearly!

[Aristocrat]

If he only wants a basic website that provides information, and can possibly provide functionality for users to send an email to his address, (a feedback mechanism), then all you need is notepad.
Notepad can be used to write html, CSS, and javascript, with which almost anything can be done.

If he wants something more complex, such as a booking system, then you will need a backend database.

It all comes down to functionality, most things can be done without a backend (short of a forum or store catalogue)...but after a point things get decidely more complex.

[Scorch]

If he only wants a basic website that provides information, and can possibly provide functionality for users to send an email to his address, (a feedback mechanism), then all you need is notepad.
Notepad can be used to write html, CSS, and javascript, with which almost anything can be done.

If he wants something more complex, such as a booking system, then you will need a backend database.

It all comes down to functionality, most things can be done without a backend (short of a forum or store catalogue)...but after a point things get decidely more complex.

Yeah, but notepad isn't as convenient as a WYSIWYG editor.

[kshcshbash]

Citizen, Dreamweaver was originally engineered by Macromedia before the takeover, and most of the Web Design community continues to refer to it as "Macromedia Dreamweaver". Typically those who call it "Adobe Dreamweaver" are complete noobs who used it twice at school and think they can web program.

Now to the point...
I'd recommend that you learn HTML 4.01 (NOT XHTML!), CSS and some Javascript. Your primary concern right now is to hack together a nice design. I definitely would not say Dreamweaver just yet, you do NOT need all that functionality.
On the flipside, however, Notepad is a bit underpowered. Just get yourself a decent Text editor, is really all you need to do. I used MSVC++, DevC++ and a host of C++ IDEs before I found Code::Blocks. I now use solely Code::Blocks. You must find an environment that you are comfortable with!

With respect to graphics, I'm going to say leave it for now. You can almost certainly find someone on the Forums who is already excellent at PS that is prepared to either help you for free, or for some small fee.

Once you have a DESIGN done, start to think about the content/dynamics.
I stress again. DESIGN. Don't go and get an HTML editor until you have all the plans etc written out.

Also, do NOT use a WYSIWIG editor. DEFINITELY not Frontpage.


Once you have your design done, or have started on it feel free to PM me for specific questions. I have done a bit of for-cash web design/development (I primarily code, though. I have quite the problems with colour so yeah, I stick away from it.)

PLAN PLAN PLAN
And be ready to hire someone. I can help you for free to an extent, if you want.

[Citizen]

Citizen, Dreamweaver was originally engineered by Macromedia before the takeover, and most of the Web Design community continues to refer to it as "Macromedia Dreamweaver". Typically those who call it "Adobe Dreamweaver" are complete noobs who used it twice at school and think they can web program.

Yeah, before the takeover almost two years ago, now.

Those still calling it Macromedia DW when it is now not called that are complete noobs - see how it works? I know many in the industry (although not personally) who refer to it and call it Adobe Dreamweaver. Sure you might call older versions that since that was their name when Macromedia was releasing their own products, but to call it that now is just ridiculous.

I've been using the program since MX 6.0 - so no, I am not a complete noob who thinks I can web program.

[Scorch]

Yeah, before the takeover almost two years ago, now.

Those still calling it Macromedia DW when it is now not called that are complete noobs - see how it works? I know many in the industry (although not personally) who refer to it and call it Adobe Dreamweaver. Sure you might call older versions that since that was their name when Macromedia was releasing their own products, but to call it that now is just ridiculous.

I've been using the program since MX 6.0 - so no, I am not a complete noob who thinks I can web program.

How can you not know people personally but know they refer to a product a certain way?

Whether or not it's true, that post sounds an awful lot like a noob talking himself up. As CNSW said, anyone who's been using it for a decent amount of time still refers to it as Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Adobe Dreamweaver has yet to enter the vernacular.

As for the topic, I wouldn't recommend going to the effort of learning several programming languages to achieve what you could with Dreamweaver/Frontpage unless you're planning on doing this again in the future.

[Citizen]

How can you not know people personally but know they refer to a product a certain way?

By being a member of a web developers forum?

[kshcshbash]

Yeah, before the takeover almost two years ago, now.

Those still calling it Macromedia DW when it is now not called that are complete noobs - see how it works? I know many in the industry (although not personally) who refer to it and call it Adobe Dreamweaver. Sure you might call older versions that since that was their name when Macromedia was releasing their own products, but to call it that now is just ridiculous.

I've been using the program since MX 6.0 - so no, I am not a complete noob who thinks I can web program.

No no, you are misusing the word "noob". If they were "noobs" they would likely have heard sparingly of the very name "Macromedia"
I know many in the industry (-points at the guys who manage Oracle's website, project manager for CGI-) personally who still refer to it as "Macromedia Dreamweaver"

It doesn't really matter, to be honest. And I wasn't attacking YOU. I was making an eSocial observation.

[awisler]

hmm, so im not sure now as too how i should do this. i feel that html will be better in the long run, but i have no idea how to make a sidebar with it. Like the little box on the left of the screen where you can go to see more info other pages of the site ect. i can make the text and colors fine, and insert images, but thats really my only experience in html. does anyone know of a very nice html guide that will walk me through all of this. maybe not even html, but all the things needed for web design.

thanks.

[Erik]

hmm, so im not sure now as too how i should do this. i feel that html will be better in the long run, but i have no idea how to make a sidebar with it.

I wouldn't say HTML is necessarily better in the end.
WYSIWYG and HTML both have their strengths and weaknesses, even for experienced users and professionals.
I think most professionals actually use WYSIWYG editors because it improves their productivity.

You can also try some things out in a WYSIWYG editor (like create a simple page with a sidebar) and then look at the generated code to see how it's done, and then write your own HTML.
This means double work, but you can learn a lot this way.

does anyone know of a very nice html guide that will walk me through all of this.

There are loads of HTML guides/tutorials online.
I don't know any off the top of my hat, but I'm sure you could Google some in no time.
I recommend doing at least one complete tutorial because they give you a good step-by-step tour to all the basics of HTML.

[Aristocrat]

For a sidebar, I will bite the bullet and say table...though somebody will surely shoot me for saying it.

Or you can be really nifty with CSS.

(Or a frameset...but search engines STILL have issues with framesets...which sucks because frames are fun to play around with).

[Citizen]

(Or a frameset...but search engines STILL have issues with framesets...which sucks because frames are fun to play around with).

Well he could use an iframe - search engines don't have a problem with that

[awisler]

so dreamweaver is a WYSIWYG program? im trying to model the site a bit like www.pelosimedicalcenter.com not really the look as much as the features of it. i looked at websites for dreamweaver, all i could find was a $1000 version of it? is there one a bit cheaper maybe thats still good?

[spartan_phalanx]

Yes, dreamweaver is a WYSIWYG program. If your looking for a template you might check out this site.

They have some decent templates and are compatible with dreamweaver/frontpage/text editor. They are very reputable and I have chatted with their owner a couple times. Very down to earth people. Their prices aren't bad considering the time it takes to make a template such as theirs.

If your looking for something with an established database backend and top-notch customer support then check out ECTor here. They have templates or just a generic version that can be easily incorporated into a template of your own.

I have personally combined the two companies products (ect generic version and a luckmarble template) for a client before with great success.

Those are some options that could save you some time. Note: The ECT link contains my partner id, just remove your cookies if you don't like that. Hope that helps.

A great place to start out learning html is W3schools.