Web building question

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Mikey

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I also posted this in a members post about a website they had done, but wanted a broader input.

My question there specifically dealt with Zen Cart, which for some reason I unzipped this morning yet could not get the program to run. Maybe I am expecting the wrong things.

Anyway, I am building a site and had started to go through GoDaddy Website Tonight, but it was tediously slow. I then switched to FrontPage and have been doing fairly good at it. Since I don't know FrontPage a lot, there are still some things I don't know if I can do even though I would like to. Right now I don't want a shopping cart, but I would like the ability to add one. I also want my menu boxes to expand with other menu options when moused over and so far I am only able to hyperlink one page from each button. I suspect that some coding could accomplish this, but not sure how dto do this.

So, my question is: I need something that a relative noob could work with, yet come out with something that looks decent and will work with a hosting plan that I would like to get through GoDaddy. The GD site does say their hosting plans also have ASP.Net available, so maybe that is an option. (I don't know anything about ASP.NET or it's functionality yet though)

If anyone can offer suggestions I would appreciate it.
 
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Wow, that is one cool place to get some info. I found some Java code for drop down menus that may work. Now I just need to figure out how to use the Java with the buttons that I have created. (actual little JPGs that look like FP nibs with text on them) I'd like to have more of these buttons pop out with the various menu options.

Anyway, thanks as that site gave me a lot to look for.
 
I work as a web developer (currently ASP.Net, but have also done JSP and PHP in the past) so here are a few tips.

- FrontPage is evil. It creates horrid code that is very difficult to maintain and often breaks in non-MS browsers. Please avoid like the plague. Similarly don't create pages in MS Word for the same reason.

- If you decide to go with ASP.Net, Microsoft has a free development tool for it - I think it's called Visual Web Developer. But ASP.Net is essentially a low-level web framework. Not something you probably want to mess with if you're just starting out building a web site unless you want to become a web developer. You might find some site package though that runs on ASP (similar to Zen Cart for PHP) though that would require little to no ASP.Net knowledge on your part.

- You mention you found some Java code - looks like you probably mean JavaScript. Java and JavaScript are actually VERY different, with just some syntax similarity. Netscape was trying to capitalize on Java's popularity when they came up with it and "appropriated" the name. The offical standard name is ECMAScript, though you rarely hear/see that used. (This doesn't really affect you much, it's just helpful to understand the terminology.)

- Biggest, most important rule of all: Try your site with as many different browsers as possible! At least Internet Explorer AND Firefox. If you have access to a Mac, try Safari as well. Opera is another popular browser (which is available on the Wii which might make it even more common in the future). Back to the JavaScript you're using - a LOT of scripts out on the web are pretty old and don't work across browsers. So if you are using JS in your site, cross-browser testing is a MUST.

Good luck! I you run into any specific problems, feel free to PM me and I'll be glad to try and help.
 
Man, just when I start feeling better about actually having some good news, someone comes along and takes a crap on me. LOL. I know in the past people have told me to avoid Frontpage and I didn't know it was that bad. I need another program then that will work very similar in that it is WYSIWYG with the ability to look at the HTML and make small changes. I really like some of the shopping cart sites I see here, but don't have the knowledge to do that work, nor the money to pay someone $$$$ to do it. I found some Zen Cart templates for websites out there for several hundred, but none looked just right. Man, this really sucks trying to get something that works well with all the different browsers out there now.

Oh well, back to searching the net and trying to find something that I can work in and create the look I am going for. Makes no sense to make a nice Site in FP if I am going to be unhappy with the final results. My time would be better spent looking at different options.
 
Mickey,

As I said before, I'm an absolute computer idiot. However, I did manage to set up and publish on www.homestead.com with more than a little help from thier tech support. Like all techs, some were better than others but the bottom line is I got it going with no, none, nada experience.
If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them of site at desplinter@sbcglobal.net.
I don't work for them, don't get paid by them, just happy with what I got from them for $4.99/mo. So far at least.
Vern
 
There is absolutely no reason that you should assume that if you use FP you will be disappointed! I use FP to make and maintain all of my sites and I have very good online sales.
Don't get discouraged!
 
Thanks for the encouragement. I am so upset right now as I just realized that someone stole a rototiller from my back patio sometime in the last 24 hours (from what I can recall) I found the original manual, but like an idiot I didn't write down the serial number on it so I am tearing the house apart looking for the reciept. I wish I knew when this happened because the neighbors have been home all day and so has my wife. Heck I even have lights on the patio all night with the exception of like a 3 hour stretch. At least this should be the one thing that gets stolen this year. Seems each year something gets stolen from one of the vehicles and I am out an automatic $400. Guess my cars are safe this year.
 
Mike,

While Eddie S. is technically correct, it may be irrelevant.
The code that MS Word generates is horrific (sp?) and I hate working on it when I have to.
It breaks even within our own environment.
However (ack, I have to dislike the fact that I'm gonna say this):
The vast majority of users do run Windows and have machines that'll be happy with FP.
The vast majority of folks likely to see your web-pages will be able to view them just fine.
IMHO, the time/energy a non-geek w/o the inclination to do coding will spend to reach that last edge
of the bell-curve's worth of potential clients is too high a price to pay wrt ROI.
Do the FP; if you find business is good, then set aside some return to invest in a broader reaching site.
[:D]
Gary
 
I agree with avoiding Front Page. I use firefox exclusivly and if a site don't work with it, I'm gone. Zen Cart you need to upload to your server and install. It isn't a windows application, it is a web application. I you want to use ZenCart, let me know. I'm kinda the expert around here. (Even though Kiddo is doing one bang up job).
 
Sorry for bumping a very, very old thread, but just wanted to throw in an update.

Front Page has been replaced by Microsoft Expression Web. Unlike FP, EW produces compliant code that is compatible with Firefox, Safari, or any other browser available. The WYSIWYG features are very close to those of Front Page. Expression Web handles both cascading style sheets (css)and DWTs very competently and efficiently.

Microsoft offers a free trial download of Expression Web. It's a fully-operational trial and well worth downloading to see if you like it or not.

I'm not a Microsoft fan, but when they do something right they deserve credit.
 
Mikey,

I am certainly no expert, but I have been using FP for years on 3 different sites and it works well for me. It is easy to manipulate and I have never had a complaint about it from a customer. I also use PayPal shopping cart and have for years. It does everything I need to do.

Don't be discouraged about FP. If it feels good then use it. I have read and heard the horror stories for years, but I have yet to have one. Here's my site. http://www.ciwriting.com .

If I can help let me know.

Originally posted by Mikey
<br />Man, just when I start feeling better about actually having some good news, someone comes along and takes a crap on me. LOL. I know in the past people have told me to avoid Frontpage and I didn't know it was that bad. I need another program then that will work very similar in that it is WYSIWYG with the ability to look at the HTML and make small changes. I really like some of the shopping cart sites I see here, but don't have the knowledge to do that work, nor the money to pay someone $$$$ to do it. I found some Zen Cart templates for websites out there for several hundred, but none looked just right. Man, this really sucks trying to get something that works well with all the different browsers out there now.

Oh well, back to searching the net and trying to find something that I can work in and create the look I am going for. Makes no sense to make a nice Site in FP if I am going to be unhappy with the final results. My time would be better spent looking at different options.
 
I too used FP for years (since the first version, which was around '97 I think). During that time I've built 25-30 sites with it.

The reason I suggested downloading Expression Web is that the user interface is very similar to that of Front Page. It would be an easier conversion for someone who is used to FP. As a free and fully-operational download it's certainly worth a try.
 
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