HTML coding Vs. Template in making a site

[Damacles]

What do you guys think is the best way to design and make a site? Coding the site by yourself or using a program (i.e. Frontpage, publisher etc.)?

[mairving]

Everyone has their own opinion on this. My personal opinion is to learn to write (hand code) first. This way you can use any program from Notepad to Frontpage to code and edit some things by hand.

As a general rule, I write very little HTML. For a site, I will usually have a header, sidemenu and footer that are the same, with a few different variables on certain pages. So when I make the page, I just include these parts into the page. So the only thing that I code for is the content part of the page. It makes it pretty easy to make changes on those parts. The content part of the page is generally pulled from a database, which makes it a whole lot easier.

For instance, I am working on a site that has about 500 pages on it that was done in Frontpage. If I want to change something on the navbar, I have to change every page. In the future design using includes and a database, the pages will go from about 500 to around 50 or so. If I want to add a link on the navbar, I have to make one change, either to the database or to the included file itself. Too easy.

A lot of it depends on where you want to go. If you are only doing a site for yourself and don't have a lot of pages, then any HTML editor, FP included will work. If you plan on developing sites for others, learn a scripting language and a database like PHP/MySQL to make things easier.

[2hot]

I am new the HTML but I am enjoying the experience. It is good to know what really happens behind the curtains. Gives you a measure of control. I have used Frontpage before starting this adventure. I'd probably get back to it, but not until I am grounded in the raw art...I encourage you to do the same.

[Damacles]

well i have been using a mix i suppose. I make a template or "background" and then use it in a table using the
command to place links and objects.

[Force Flow]

I start from scratch in frontpage. I don't really like any of the templates, as they've been used time and time again.

Course, most people here dislike frontpage entirely--bloated coding.

[Sanke]

I prefer to template, it's a lot easier than writing up a whole new page.

A website should be consistent, if you're not using a template then you're not being consistent.

[2hot]

That is not to say that Templates can't be designed from scratch. Having some control is what makes the design interesting....I'd rather design a template first then use it for similar pages for consistency. I doesn't have to be a Frontpage stuff too.

[Damacles]

I have found that you can make really nice looking templates in Adobe photoshop. All you have to do is transfer them into jpeg format

[2hot]

JPEG Format!!!! ????

[Force Flow]

File > Save for web...

Or, if you want to cut the image up ahead of time (ie - you have a graphic side bar and top bar),

go view > show > slices

...and use the slices tool.

Btw, just because I start from scratch, doesn't at all mean I'm inconsistant.

[toomyg]

Originally posted by Damacles What do you guys think is the best way to design and make a site? Coding the site by yourself or using a program (i.e. Frontpage, publisher etc.)?

I use Frontpage 2002 works well plus there ton's and ton's of free html editors out there too

[Skinny]

Yeah, I would recommend using an HTML editor. It really depends on how experienced you are and also what you personally prefer.

For a novice, I would recommend they start from scratch and try and hard cose the website. That way, you really get to grips with the language and you actually learn a hell of a lot. That's how I learnt.

What I do now is use dreamweaver to give me a basic template, then I delve into the code and start changing things.

Hope this helps..

[2hot]

Cool, Skinny...I started with the primers and "so you wanna....huh?'s" of : http://www.htmlgoodies.com

Nice place to start getting a grip on HTML.

[BlueKrystal22]

Oooh... my favorite subject. Learning to design web pages with WYSIWYGs like Frontpage without learning html first is like using a calculator without learning how to add first. First of all, those of us who know can tell a page created in Frontpage. Second of all, you need to be able to edit the raw code if Frontpage (or whatever program) does something you don't want it to do... and it ALWAYS will. Third, learning HTML is no more difficult than getting a good grip on any software program. I learned the basics in an all-night session at webmonkey.com and then more specifics from a Sam's 'Learn HTML in 24 hours', which these days you can find at discount stores for 5 bucks.

Learn the code, then the programs. Once you know how to add, you can decide if you need to spend the time to look for a calculator in order to see what 67 plus 31 equals... get it?

[kingsucka]

I totally agree with BlueKrystal. Know what your code means.

You can acheive consistency without a template. I built this fictitious site without a template.

[wilbasket23]

hei guys have some questions

do you know any free hosting provding PHP\MYSQL.

i recenly got broanband connection. I wonder how can i host my own sites in my computer with the broaband connection. Also, how can i configure php\mysql within my computer so i can host my own sites in my computer. but i dont' know how to set it up and how to do it can you guys give me some hints. thank you

also in this form you guys mentions about retrieve update information from database. so u don't have to update many pages. how can u do these. can you expalin. thank you

[wilbasket23]

hei guys have some questions

do you know any free hosting provding PHP\MYSQL.

i recenly got broanband connection. I wonder how can i host my own sites in my computer with the broaband connection. Also, how can i configure php\mysql within my computer so i can host my own sites in my computer. but i dont' know how to set it up and how to do it can you guys give me some hints. thank you

also in this form you guys mentions about retrieve update information from database. so u don't have to update many pages. how can u do these. can you expalin. thank you