User Name Password Register
DaniWeb IT Discussion Community
All
What is DaniWeb IT Discussion Community?
You're currently browsing the Site Layout and Usability section within the Web Development category of DaniWeb, a massive community of 403,043 software developers, web developers, Internet marketers, and tech gurus who are all enthusiastic about making contacts, networking, and learning from each other. In fact, there are 2,922 IT professionals currently interacting right now! Registration is free, only takes a minute and lets you enjoy all of the interactive features of the site.
Please support our Site Layout and Usability advertiser: Programming Forums
Views: 818 | Replies: 3
Reply
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2
Reputation: GumTree is an unknown quantity at this point 
Rep Power: 0
Solved Threads: 0
GumTree GumTree is offline Offline
Newbie Poster

starting the first page

  #1  
May 27th, 2008
Hi!

I have checked that this extra dumb question has not been asked before - and I can't find it exactly so here goes!

I am using Dreamweaver 8, I have created a dummy website using the tutorials, I also have bought two books on Dreamweaver. BUT when I go to begin my own site I don't know where to start after opening a new page. It's like something is missing in my brain!

I have created a banner and buttons in Fireworks, so I have graphics to add - but if I start a new page in Dreamweaver - is that the page? The tutorials all get you to download graphics to create the page... is that what you do or can you just make the background colour the one you want and you go from there - adding graphics such as banners and buttons only, not filling in all the gaps?

And if you do that, if you create a 'new page' are the dimensions automatically what you want or do you need to go and set them?

I really appreciate any help... its a 'getting started' question for sure.

Thanks in advance!
AddThis Social Bookmark Button
Reply With Quote  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London or Slovakia
Posts: 2,244
Reputation: peter_budo is a jewel in the rough peter_budo is a jewel in the rough peter_budo is a jewel in the rough 
Rep Power: 10
Solved Threads: 270
Moderator
Featured Poster
peter_budo's Avatar
peter_budo peter_budo is offline Offline
Code tags enforcer

Re: starting the first page

  #2  
May 28th, 2008
When creating new page/document you have option to choose from different formats HTML,PHP, ASP, CSS and others. In your case as you just starting just select HTML. New document is created for you and you can either type or use drag and drop option (first would be recommended as you should learn HTML first).
You can have background of your choice and it can be different from element to element in acordance to your taste.
Page dimension is one of the things you have to take into acount when creating new page as people have different size of monitors and resolutions so it will look different from pc to pc, but do not worry if your books are any good they will explain this
Learn to see in another's calamity the ills which you should avoid.
Publilius Syrus
(~100 BC)

If we helped you to solve your problem, answered your question please mark your post as SOLVED.
Reply With Quote  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
Reputation: djnzak is an unknown quantity at this point 
Rep Power: 2
Solved Threads: 1
djnzak djnzak is offline Offline
Light Poster

Re: starting the first page

  #3  
May 29th, 2008
Well from your post it seems to be that you are yet to learn HTML.

Therefore i would recommend you to go through this PDF file. Learn HTML in 7 days. Its really simple, teaches you all the main basics and free too!

Here is the link

Learn HTML in 7 Days - Download.com
Reply With Quote  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 178
Reputation: macneato is an unknown quantity at this point 
Rep Power: 2
Solved Threads: 12
macneato's Avatar
macneato macneato is offline Offline
Junior Poster

Re: starting the first page

  #4  
Jun 3rd, 2008
Hi,

Not sure if I understand your question but let me give it a bash.

In the line of work I am in, I usually have to roll out atleast 2 websites a week (HTML & CSS - So it is usually quick). This forces me to start a new website every second day basically.

So this is what workes for me.

---------------------------------------------------------------
LAYOUT:
I can't stress how inportant this is. Do the COMPLETE layout (or atleast the index in PS or Corel (which ever dtp application you prefer). Don't worry about content too much, all we doing here is positioning and planning where (or how) everything is going to come together.

One of the first things I learn was the rule of thirds. (View layout_1.jpg)
NB:With this layout I used a canvas of 800x700
This may not look like much, but with this simple layout I will be able to create a half decent site quickly.

Take a look at layout_1b.jpg. Can you see that im following my initial plan!? This is not a tutorial on design, so I'm not going to get into this much. If you would like to see the final concept view layout_1c.jpg.

Now with all this in front of you, you can decide how you going to tackle the coding.
---------------------------------------------------------------

CODING: (Brief look)

If you followed your the rule of thirds, this shouldnt be too hard. So I would start with the container.

#container {width:800px; margin: 0 auto; height: 700px; } 

Remember, the canvas size i used.

With that done, Now I would focus on creating and positioning my DIVs to match the concept. Layout_1.jpg thats how I want it to look, before populating content. I normally code CSS, but i would sugguest, start with tables, get comfortable, then move to CSS.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Helpful Links

Dummy text - Lipsum
This will help you out when creating the layout, dont stress about content just design.

CSS - w3schools
A good place to start

Help - Daniweb
Usually, when you stumped, this is the place you WILL get answers

Scripts - Hot Scripts
Go ahead. CHEAT!! - Just playing, but if you don't have the time, there's no reason not to use previously developed scripts.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helped you out, If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Regards,
Marc
Attached Images
File Type: jpg layout_1.jpg (12.8 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg layout_1b.jpg (25.6 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg layout_1c.jpg (51.7 KB, 5 views)
Reply With Quote  
Reply

Only community members can participate in forum threads. You must register or log in to contribute.

DaniWeb Site Layout and Usability Marketplace
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

 

Thread Tools Display Modes

Similar Threads
Other Threads in the Site Layout and Usability Forum

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:34 pm.
Forum system based on vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
©2003 - 2008 DaniWeb® LLC