Web Site Design
The original
idea behind this site was to provide as much information as possible
in a simple format with few graphics. Get the info accross and quick
to load.
I've done this
myself mostly using WebExpress. I started with Frontpage Express
because it came free with something else. The help was no good and
the HTML code produced was all broken up and difficult to read.
I downloaded a
trial copy of Web Express Version-3 from MicroVision
Development.
I loaded the pages I'd already created without any problems. The
HTML code is much easier to follow. It includes a good web site
manager, and the book (when you buy Web Express) is a really good
introduction to web page/site creation for beginners.
From when I
ordered Web Express on line, to when it turned up was about 7 days.
Not bad from America to New Zealand. All up it cost about half what
Frontpage 98 was selling for here in New Zealand at the time.
These pages
are pretty simple I know, no laughing please. I've kept them simple
because I really hate those web pages that take ages to load. Often,
you can't even read the text while the graphics load up.
Unfortunately
as I added content I found that it was becomming more difficult to
navigate. So, I added the graphic catagory links to the left-hand menu.
As time
permits there will probably be improvements.
I've just (May
2005) shifted my main system from Windows to Linux. Now I'm looking
for a wysiwyg replacement for WebExpress. I know some people say the
only correct way to design a web site is with a text editor, or
something like that but I don't want web design to be the only thing
I do for 6 months so I'll stick with the wysiwyg and live with the disadvantages.
PC's and
Operating Systems
I've been
getting more annoyed with the problems caused by MS Windows, way too
unreliable. And yes, I did buy a copy of XP; 2 copies actually. It is
more reliable than my old Win-98, but I prefer an operating system
that is not under the control of it's creator and spending half it's
time trying to spy on me.
I'd like to
think that as a company becomes a dominating player in any market
they have a responsibility to be honest and to set a good example.
I've decided not to support a company that I think is becomming too
big, is basically dishonest and does not play fair; and that's
without getting into the whole MS world domination thing.
So, I've been
looking at Linux for some time. So far very impressed, much more so
than I expected. I've had a look at Mandrake and Redhat.
I'm no expert
and don't want to become one. All I wanted was somethig to replace
Windows. I found that both Mandrake and Redhat "out-of-the-box"
both did the job. They were not hard to install and came with
applications. What's more you don't have to keep rebooting at every
turn. Connection to the internet for mail and browsing was also quite easy.
So I set up a
Linux machine to provide a bit of a firewall and a connection to the
internet for a few other PCs; one Windows and another Linux. That
wasn't too hard either; all done with wizzards and graphical
configuration programs.
The next step
was to enable file sharing etc. between the machines. This is where
Linux becomes complicated. People tell me it's not difficult which I
can believe if you are happy to spend 500 hours working it all out
(it's easy when you know how). This is where you have to become a
Linux expert and start editing those configuration files. The info
seems to be available and the result by all accounts is solid, but I
haven't yet put enough consistent time into it.
I did
eventually got it working. Not sure exactly how but it involved a lot
more fiddling with the Windows machines than the Linux machines. I
suspect that most of my problems were caused by Windows. Simply
rebooting Windows and it would work sometimes and not others.
I've still got
Windows XP-home, XP-pro and Win-98 systems running. Even though I did
buy them I still really hate that activation crap and the way XP
refuses to let you into some areas and saves information in secret
files. I think you would have to be mad to trust a company or OS that
does these things. I still like win-98 better than XP.
Compared to
Windows, Linux is still has a way to go when it comes to installing
and upgrading programs. Anything you include with the original
installation is simple; it just works. If you want to add something
later or upgrade an installed program you have to know what you're
doing. For where I sit this is the only thing that makes Windows
better than Linux.
There is a lot
of software out there for Linux and a lot of information.
Unfortunately it takes a lot of time and effort to understand and
make use of. It's difficult to present information, especially
technical information to people who are beginners or would rather
just be running their new software. I think this is where the Linux
developers should focus there efforts for a while. If it was as easy
to install a Linux program as it is to install a Windows program,
Windows would be on the run.
I'll add notes
as I make progress.
See Products
for more information.
Click here for
the first page About
PMB |