how would a beginner come about making a website

[redfoxkt]

Ive been thinking about making a server to put in my house and I want to run a website but im a beginner. I've created a website in a class in highschool using dreamweaver but that's about it. No i do not know exactly what kind of site i want, possibly a forum but im not sure yet. so I'm wondering if any of you have any advice, or names of programs that could help me not just for the site building but for the server as well. Like programs that run the site and what not.

[deer dance]

Definitely check out http://w3schools.com/

and install LAMP

[kaldor]

If I were you, I'd avoid using software like Dreamweaver and use something like QuantaPlus or BlueFish, even Gedit or VIM. They will teach you more than graphical editors will, so you'll be better off in the long run if you are new to this.

[redfoxkt]

Thanks deer dancer

[sandyd]

if youve never really had any website design experience, go out and try a cms. youll have to install mysql, php, and apache2. if you have any queations, send me a pm or leave a post here and ill read it tomorow after I finish sleeping....

[Anthon]

It all depends on what you want to do with the site: what information you want to provide and who you intend to look at it, what programming experience you have (and want to forced to acquire through your efforts ;-) ).
If you want to make anything database oriented like a simple functional website showing your book/cd/dvd collection you should have a look at web2py (www.web2py.com).

[Rabindranath]

Try out joomla. Its a cms and you can create a great looking website in hours... There are a lot of tutorials available in the internet, so you can check them out...

[msathis]

may be wordpress..simple to learn and a lot of free resources.and for server its not better to use your own.You may buy webspace from webhosting firms.

[HappinessNow]

Drupal is very easy to use.

[c174]

I just installed drupal using Synaptic, but when I go to //localhost/ I'm not getting the Drupal installation page.

I have found "install.php" in "file:///usr/share/drupal6/" on my system, but when I point Firefox to the file it asks if I want to open the file in gedit. It doesn't run the script, as I thought it was supposed to.

What am I doing wrong?

[Phrea]

Are you sure the PHP server is running?

[c174]

Are you sure the PHP server is running?

No, not really. I don't know how to check it...?

[sandyd]

No, not really. I don't know how to check it...?

install the "php5" package

[c174]

I have php5 installed (according to Synaptic). So...

[era86]

Make sure apache2 is running.

[c174]

I checked using the System Monitor (view All Processes). There are a number of apache2 processes running:

apache2 Sleeping inet_csk_wait_for_connect
apache2 Sleeping inet_csk_wait_for_connect
apache2 Sleeping inet_csk_wait_for_connect
apache2 Sleeping inet_csk_wait_for_connect
apache2 Sleeping inet_csk_wait_for_connect
apache2 Sleeping inet_csk_wait_for_connect
apache2 Sleeping poll_schedule_timeout

(they have different process IDs)

[c174]

I think I have found the problem: When I put http://localhost Firefox is directed to /var/www, but it should point to /usr/share/drupal6/index.php in order to get the drupal Welcome Page, I think. BTW putting some php-code in a file located under /var/www/ works fine, so I think Apache2 and php are working correctly.

So I only have to figure out how to change what localhost is resolved to. Right? Can anyone help me with this?

[Riel]

Well, copy your drupal install to /var/www/drupal

then go to http://localhost/drupal to fire the installer.

You would also need mysql packages though. It's quite a big jump you are taking now. Well, drupal has it's check page, you will come a long way to get all green 'ok' there ;)


And, well, not to point you from left to right, while Drupal installes quite simple, it's is quite a professional CMS and easy .. for people who know cms's.

I would advice CMSMS where the things that are happening are just a bit more obvious.

[sandyd]

I think I have found the problem: When I put http://localhost Firefox is directed to /var/www, but it should point to /usr/share/drupal6/index.php in order to get the drupal Welcome Page, I think. BTW putting some php-code in a file located under /var/www/ works fine, so I think Apache2 and php are working correctly.

So I only have to figure out how to change what localhost is resolved to. Right? Can anyone help me with this?



sudo ln -s /usr/share/drupal6/ /var/www/drupal

tada!

[cariboo]

If your php pages wants to open with a text editor, you can fix the problem by installing libapache2-mod-php5, it is in the repositories.

[samh785]

Bluefish is good for html/css editing, but it isn't a WYSIWYG.

Definitely check out http://w3schools.com/
+1

[spcwingo]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Turnkey Linux. Here's a link to their site:

http://www.turnkeylinux.org/

[c174]

Well, copy your drupal install to /var/www/drupal

I think it is not a good idea to make a copy of drupal, since I used Synaptic to install it. Instead I have used this, as suggested by carlee:


sudo ln -s /usr/share/drupal6/ /var/www/drupal

This works perfectly! :)

I put http://localhost/drupal/install.php in Firefox, ... the install continued automatically, and I just had to finish by filling in the name of my website, email, and admninistrator username and password.

I looked briefly at Turnkey Linux - it looks easy, but I didn't try since I already had installed drupal using Synaptic and wanted to get that running.

Thanks to everybody for your help :D

[isbiyanto]

if youve never really had any website design experience, go out and try a cms. youll have to install mysql, php, and apache2. if you have any queations, send me a pm or leave a post here and ill read it tomorow after I finish sleeping....

i use joomla, wordpress, and drupal. thanks for your advice

[user1397]

For a very basic guide on how to build your own personal web server at home, try the guide in my sig. Sounds like it is perfect for your needs.

As far as the web design itself, I recommend downloading free templates and messing around with the code in a simple text editor (like Gedit), and by using www.w3schools.com as a reference.