CKCS Web Publishing SIG

Overview: Where do I start?

• Internet access
• Utilities (html authoring (free/shareware, purchase), graphics util, FTP
• Learn basic design principles (HTML tags, image handling)
• Find server space
• Publish (FTP)
• Maintain

The internet: a cooperative network of connected computers.  The WWW is one of many protocols for sharing information on the net (e-mail, ftp, gopher are other ways).  Internet navigation depends upon LINKS (hypertext transfer protocol).  The basic language of the internet is HTML.

Servers are the computers that facilitate communication between users on the Web.  Each server has an IP address and a corresponding domain name.

Documents (web pages) have their own unique URLS (Universal Resource Locators).  A URL consists of:

http:// - the protocol used to transfer information

www.ckcs.org -- the domain name, identifies which server to connect "client" to

http://www.ckcs.org/joetips.htm -- file name to be displayed in browser

How it works:

1. Open browser, enter URL
2. Browser contacts the domain name server to look up current IP address for requested URL
3. Browser then contacts the web server of that URL and requests file (specified or default index.html)
4. Web server searches for the file and returns it (or an error message if problems occur)
5. Browser displays file (web page)
6. If images are indicated in the file's HTML, browser contacts server again to request them.

Things to think about before developing a new website...

• Clarify your goals.
• Define your audience
• How much support will you need (input from others, tech support, time commitment, etc.)

Recommended resources:

Web Site Design Made Easy, by Dennis Gaskill

The Non-Designer's Web Book (half.com, Amazon) by Robin Williams (not the comedian)

Lexington Public Library

Web Hosting

• Is your domain name important?
• Do you want a "permanent" domain name?
• Cost
• Server space limitations
• Visitor traffic limitations
• Need e-mail accounts?
• Design flexibility
• Extra functionality

Here is an excellent series of articles on choosing a host provider:

WebHost List: Hosting 101

Register a domain or check for domain name (URL) availability:

Network Solutions

List of certified domain name registrars:

http://www.icann.org/registrars/accredited-list.html

Misc:

http://www.geocities.com/ckcs_web_pub/

http://www.unc.edu/courses/jomc050/idog.jpg