Web Design question.

[Analog-X64]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to register my own domain and finally get my own site up, so I can share
my projects and such.

So where do I start? My web design skills are 2001. These days you need
to have a database and all kinds of stuff.

I'm not sure where to start. I see many here, running excellent and polished looking sites.

Any advice would be appreciated, like Tools used, Content Management Systems?

or should I just get Notepad out.

[C64GLeN]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to register my own domain and finally get my own site up, so I can share
my projects and such.

So where do I start? My web design skills are 2001. These days you need
to have a database and all kinds of stuff.

I'm not sure where to start. I see many here, running excellent and polished looking sites.

Any advice would be appreciated, like Tools used, Content Management Systems?

or should I just get Notepad out.

It's not really a true 'Content Management System', but I use Wordpress on a large number of my sites now, it wonderfully easy to use and massively powerful with hundreds of widgets and add ons. I can not recommend it highly enough.

[Analog-X64]

It's not really a true 'Content Management System', but I use Wordpress on a large number of my sites now, it wonderfully easy to use and massively powerful with hundreds of widgets and add ons. I can not recommend it highly enough.

Thanks for the info Glen, would i be able to simply link to MP3's I want to host? or can I integrate Flash based Mp3 players?

Do you have some sites you've done that I can look at?

Thanks.

[C64GLeN]

Thanks for the info Glen, would i be able to simply link to MP3's I want to host? or can I integrate Flash based Mp3 players?

You can do both. I use WordPress Audio Player it's very simple flash MP3 player (example http://www.obscureinternet.com/jimmy-ro ... lub-remix/ )

Do you have some sites you've done that I can look at?

Yes, sure; My blog, ObscureInternet.com, Orchestral Media Developments and BrokenInglish should give you an idea how flexible it can be,

[Mordi]

All you need is some simple HTML and server-space. I had never made a website before, but it was easy-peasy to do. I was lucky enough to have Ziphoid lend out server-space, though.

[Analog-X64]

All you need is some simple HTML and server-space. I had never made a website before, but it was easy-peasy to do. I was lucky enough to have Ziphoid lend out server-space, though.

Once you get into Frames and Such I get lost, I used to do web design using nothing but NotePad, but once you get into
nice looking sites I get lost.

Did you use some kind of GUI editor to do your's? which looks very nice and clean.

[Instant Remedy]

CMS systems are really nice.
Some time ago I started to do some HTML stuff the pre 2000-way, but looking at cool and flexible sites, CMS was the way to go. It's not very hard, in fact it's easier than writing everything by yourself. You just have to spend some time with it.
But if you want to do stuff not supported by the CMS, then it's in another league. You have to know PHP and spend time searching in forums etc. Addons are not always reliable and stable.
I suggest you check out the popular ones, Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress etc.

Putting up a simple site is done pretty easy and adding stuff is easier than when doing stuff yourself. Pretty much like making a post in a forum.

[Jan Lund Thomsen]

I suggest you check out the popular ones, Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress etc.

I run C64Takeaway.com on Wordpress, and have nothing but praise for it.

Drupal has way more flexibility - but the learning curve for it is a lot steeper than Wordpress'.

[Mordi]

Did you use some kind of GUI editor to do your's? which looks very nice and clean.

Nope, just good old notepad and a HTML lookup thingy. Plus a little help from MSN buddies that are webdesigners.

[Analog-X64]

You guys have convinced me to try wordpress. I will work on it tonight when I get home.

will need to come up with a logo and get some content up.

[k_rostoen]

If you're looking for 100% flexibility and validating XHTML, then http://modxcms.com is the way to go. You need to know HTML/CSS to set up your templates, but if you're comfy with that, then ModxCMS is most likely the very best open source CMS out there.

[Analog-X64]

I got the basics up, no content or logo.

http://www.analogx64.com/