You're darn tootin that's important!  I'll fix that today.  I always have a problem with site-specific and non-site-specific links.  Thanks for letting me know! :)

Later:

OK, the link is fixed now, I double checked it :)  Thanks again!

-- Edited by Green Dragon at 15:22, 2006-03-04

Wow! You've been very busy. Thanks for all the detail...and your notations about what you learned along way are very useful (what to bring or NOT TO BRING, what to expect, etc).

Thanks for sharing.

Corey

Hmmm... I'm afraid the only real advice I can give is get a decent program (I use Dreamweaver) that is made to make webpages, and an instruction book, like Web Pages for Dummies, or something similar.  It depends on how you learn best.

I'm a kinesthetic learner, mainly, so I learn best by getting in and trying to do something in the program -- trial and error.  I learned Photoshop before I ever picked up a book on it, same with Dreamweaver... it takes longer, but I know it better.

I also have a good background in computer stuff -- started out in college as a comp sci major, got my masters in accounting information systems, and keep up to date with most technology.  I used to program myself.  Not the best teacher for a beginner, as I'm REAL impatient sometimes!

The daughter solution sounded good, if you can learn from them.  Sometimes generations don't speak the same language, but it might work :)

 

If you have specific questions I'd be happy to answer, but the general stuff I'm not so good at ;(

Melissa,

The free services are a good way to get your feet wet in web pages. They are usually pretty easy to use and allow easy access to change your information. The pesky ads and limited design options can be a little frustrating, but they do provide you a web presence without a lot of investment. Blogs are another way to be on the web with your words, pictures, audio files and video...blogger.com, wordpress.com are only two of the many blogging sites.

Many free services will not allow you to save your photos, audio or video on their server (it would take up too much memory). So you might have to have your files saved somewhere else,x and your web page is set up to find the file where it is saved (most of the time a visitor to the site won't even notice)...there are free or inexpensive services for storing images as well (you will likely have to pay for audio or video files). Bill's site on Geocities is very nice...hopefully, he can reveal his secrets :)

A few other thoughts...

If you want to start out going the free blogging route, an idiot's guide to blogging will take you through the whole process. For a little more work and money, you can get an idiot's guide to web design and let that help you choose your web design software (Front Page, Dream Weaver or others - you could get away with saving Word documents as "html" or "web pages" by clicking FILE > SAVE AS and selecting WEBPAGE or HTML from the dropdown menu - the saved file will be coded so a web browser can read it. This isn't the best way to create a webpage, but it's a start).

Another good resource might be a local technical college (or university)...either for a class or for someone who can train you. Their graphic arts or IT departments will likely have students who would love to make a little money tutoring you on basic web design (there are also some amazing high schoolers doing design as well). I'd suggest getting referrals from an instructor. I work with design interns all the time, and they are very eager for these types of projects.

When you have a potential tutor, ask to see their portfolio or a list of links to sites they've created. In the beginning, you are only interested in their basic design, so don't be hypnotized by flashy animations or blinking buttons or any other glitz...you just want to learn basic HTML. If they tell you they only use Flash, then they probably specialize in a more dynamic, multimedia design than what you are looking for.

How much should you pay them? Well, that will vary. If I were going to one of my interns I would say, "I was thinking of starting out with four 1.5 hour sessions at $10/hr and then seeing where we go from there." If you've already gotten a jump start by reading one of the "dummies" books, you'll be able to have them help you actually create your site instead of spending a lot of time on the basics. Another option is to have them create your site and then train you on how to update it.

I hope this is helpful.

Green Dragon, sorry for hijacking your thread. I saw a topic I'm familiar with and just started typing.

Thanks, Green Dragon, for letting your question become an opportunity for me to get some advice on making web-pages. I don't know about you, but I go in spurts. I know both you and I talked about how we love to plan in detail, such fun. You have cool web-sites too!

Thanks, everybody, for the advice on learning how to create a travel web-site for my own trip reports.

Since I'm an over-planner, a bit obsessive, I have to take breaks so I can get my "life" done too! So I haven't been on the computer much lately. But the hubby is happy because he is getting better meals lately, and I'm catching up on things.

Just wait til I get my obsessive-compulsive nature actually started on the enormous project of becoming more computer literate. I will create a very scary web-site! It's not like it will actually work right or anything, but I'm sure I will get lost in it.

I admire your work, Green Dragon and Michele. Oops, have to go already.

-- Edited by Melissa5 at 02:50, 2006-03-11

I just wanted to let everyone know that I just updated my website to add LOTS of photos from this summer's Ireland trip.  The website with the photos is here:

http://www.greendragonartist.com/gallery_photoIreland.htm

I also have calendars available with my photos from Ireland at http://www.Greendragonartist.com

If you missed my trip reports, they are at http://www.greendragonartist.com/BIireland.htm (this includes the three trips I've taken in 1996, 2002 and 2006)

And I've added a section on the Celtic Music I like at http://www.greendragonartist.com/BIirelandpeople.htm for those that like that! :)

 

 

Compliments on your site as well, it looks great!  Your trip in 2007 sounds like a blast!