Newbie Please Help!!

[bigdreamer]

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Hi Guys & Gals,

I am a newbie when it comes to webdesign I am currently in the process of designing a couple of personal websites for myself. I have a few problems that will probably be very simple for you smart pants...(lol)

I would like to have a customer register page. Where customer can submit there name, address, email address etc and once they have registered they will be given a usernam and password. Is this easy to do?

I have limited software but I am looking to purchase more but I need some recomendations. Frontpage or Dreamweaver which is better??? I would like a simple program that lets me customise templates. What other pograms do you suggest I need for flash effects, custom buttons, intros, flash menu's etc.

If anyone can help me with the above issues I will be very greatful

Thanks Heaps

Bigdreamer

 

[will7]

For what you want to do, you're gonna need a fairly big budget and, probably, quite a lot of time

For creating the site I'd definitely, 100% say Macromedia Dreamweaver (MX2004 if possible). It's definitely the best program out there at the minute. It has an excellent user interface and makes designing sites pretty simple - once you get to know it (which can take a while).

For designing the non-flash menus I'd say either use Macromedia Fireworks (MX2004) or Adobe Photoshop (CS). Both are excellent programs, but Photoshop is perhaps the more versatile of the two and, in my opinion, the better.

For the flash buttons/menus etc. you're obviously going to need Macromedia Flash - I'd recommend, again, the Flash MX2004 version.

Also, if possible, get a vector design program such as Adobe Illustrator CS or CorelDRAW 12. This is not strictly necessary, but, it may be useful in the future years when you want to expand your skills and move into the vector area of design.

As for the login/register area, the most common thing to use would be a combination of PHP and MySQL. Now, luckily for you (since I've already run you up quite a cost ), these two pieces of "software" are free. You can get MySQL from www.mysql.com and PHP from www.php.net.

That should be all. Obviously, the programs I have listed here are what you'll need to, once you've learnt them all, produce a truly effective site and extras. Yes, it will run up a large cost (into the $x,xxx, most likely) and yes, it will take a lot of time to learn them (years), but, in the end, it will be worth it and will give you a good standing to move into this as a career if this is what you desire.

Well, hope I was of help to you,

Thanks,

Will.

 

[AcornDomains.co.uk]

If you want a registration system use a Contact Management System such as PHP-Nuke.

It will give you a website framework where you can have pages open to members and non-members, banner rotation system, built in forum and loads more features. What is even better is that you do not need to know any HTML or other web code to use it as it has an administration system where you can manage everything.

Just make sure you add the Sentinal security system if you use PHP-Nuke.

Do a google search on it and you will find tons of information and advice.

It is a free system (GPL) you just need web space that supports PHP and MySQL

I have a website with 1,500 members and it works really well.

Good luck

 

[bigdreamer]

Wow thanks guys very handy information. I appreciate the responses!

What is your opionion on affiliates do you use them on your sites is there a market to establish websites for this purpose only???

Regards

Bigdreamer