Net Digs

Get the Website You Want Virtually Free II

2010-08-22T14:26:00.006-04:00

In the second installment on getting a free website, we will explore our options for building a site using the General Public License (GPL) and Open Source Software. Before continuing, it would be a good idea to gain some background on these entities so you will understand the concept and how to use software released under the GPL. There are other free software licenses but for purposes of this tutorial, we will focus exclusively on the GNU/GPL.

Basically, the GPL and Open Source Software is public domain software. In oversimplified terms, it is free software. For more information please see the GNU Project and Free Software Foundation FAQs here. This is where we begin gathering our tools to build a professional, high-quality website.

Long before website templates, text and graphics editors and other web building tools, websites had to be built from scratch and coded by hand using a computer language. The most common and arguably the easiest to understand language was HTML. Other, more advanced languages were also used to implement dynamic and interactive functions of a website that could take weeks or months to build and code by hand.

Today, we have Open Source projects such as Drupal, Joomla and Wordpress. These projects are continuously updated, upgraded and extended thanks to the contributions of a growing community of developers worldwide. Every day, these talented programmers, engineers and developers volunteer their time and expertise creating templates, modules, plugins and components for these projects; making it easy for individuals to create top-notch, professional websites with virtually no technical skill. And best of all, it’s free.

As I mentioned in my previous post, the word “free” is relative. If your time is worth anything then there is no such thing as free. But literally speaking you can own a website without spending any money.

With that said, the benevolence of these creative, big-brained souls should not go unsung. To me, a simple ‘thank you’, just seems so inadequate. Therefore, if you choose to use the knowledge so freely given and readily available to anyone, consider donating a few bucks to the project or developer of your choice. Believe me, these guys and gals are not getting rich doing what they do; they do it because they love what they do, otherwise you would never see that familiar PayPal Donate button in the ‘download free’ section of their websites.

Now, let’s begin.

Like anything you’re attempting to create, you have to plan. If you don’t already know, decide what your website will be about. If it’s a blog you want, you really don’t need an Open Source Content Management System. You could start here. I use this site, Blogger http://www.Blogger.com to write this blog. I do have other blogs on sites that I own, but that is not what we are trying to achieve. Do you want to sell products online? Do you offer a service? Is it an informational website, etc.?

Assuming you are not a web designer or developer, once you know what your website is going to be about, you must choose a Content Management System (CMS) for your website. This will make it relatively easy for you to create and build a custom website.

For example, a writer may use Wordpress to create their site. Or, based on personal preference, an individual may choose Joomla! or Drupal to build an ecommerce site along the lines of Ebay or Overstock. Personally, I prefer Joomla!. From informational and news websites, to a site about building websites, I’ve created a dozen web properties using the Joomla! CMS for clients and myself.

I suggest you do your homework and research the various Open Source Software projects and read their documentation before you choose. Also, there are dozens if not hundreds of tutorials available to help you set up, install and launch your project.

The reality is, no matter what the plan, it all boils down to what you like. So, before you download and install that beautiful template on your machine, make sure you choose the CMS that is right for you.

Up next: The not-so-dirty dozen. The 12 must-have extensions for Joomla!

Get the Website You Want Virtually Free

2010-08-04T13:27:00.009-04:00

Now that I’ve changed my focus from political, social and economic commentary to web development issues, I figured the best way to begin my first post on this subject is to start where beginners start: at the beginning.

After a 25 year broadcasting career, a few years ago, I decided that I wanted to start my own business. What was I thinking! I mean after years of free t-shirts, concert tickets and all the CD’s I could want (I didn’t want many because unfortunately, it was a lite rock radio station), all I had left to show for quarter century of slaving over a hot microphone was a mortgage, car payment and an account with U-haul on a first name basis. Well, to be honest, the groupies were a nice perk too. Ahem. It was time for a change.

After a bit of research, I settled on ecommerce. I mean after hearing about the gazillions of dollars Larry Page and Sergey Brin made with Google during their initial IPO; or the fortune Tom Anderson made on My Space by selling it to Fox News, I thought, “hey, show me money.” Right. Not so fast, first things first.

First and foremost, how much does a website cost? Who’s going to build it? And, when they build it, will they come? Answer: depends, me and who knows? Let me elaborate on these answers.

During my research on starting my first website, I discovered that there is really no uniform pricing structure for web development and design. Pricing is very convoluted. There are so many variables that price really depends on who’s building your website. Prices vary widely from developer to developer. Some charge by the page, others charge by the hour. If you choose a web design firm to build your website, many have package deals.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all these pricing options. For example, if you choose a developer that charges by the page, make sure you know what you’re getting. Do the pages include static or dynamic content? How about interactivity such as download capabilities, software functions or something as simple as a calculator? If you go with this option ask before you sign.

Being charged by the hour can be very pricey. Again, price depends on what you want from the developer. Let’s say you want some kind of ostentatious flash header, with streaming video, a chat box, scrolling text along with your static content that includes a shopping cart for your online store. You could be racking up anywhere from $25.00 to $50.00 per hour, for a site that could take months to build and cost thousands. Do the math. Keep in mind that prices will vary widely and you may be able to get it done for less. Just make sure you get a written estimate and review the developers’ previous work and get references.

Package deals are good because companies usually spell out, in writing, exactly what you get for your money. If you want to add on to your site at a later date, they will list what an element or function would cost `ala carte.

Obviously, before you consider getting a website, knowing how much you can spend is key. Remember, you get what you pay for. If your budget is $200.00, you will get a two-hundred dollar site. Don’t be surprised if it looks like your Uncle Joe did it in his basement on a vintage IBM 486 computer using a point-and-click program.

But, to be fair, there are some very good do-it-yourself programs out there that rival professionally built websites. In fact, there is free software you can download and build a site with virtually no web design or coding experience. But before you go scouring the internet for these applications, and although they may be free in terms of cold hard cash, consider the time you have to spend learning the software and building the site. In other words, how much is your time worth? Or, what do you have more of, time or money? First rule of thumb: If you've got the bucks, hire a professional. Otherwise, read on.

The fastest way to get a website up and running is with point-and-click so-called website builders. These applications come bundled with a variety of templates, themes, wysiwyg editors and even content for even the most inexperienced. There are literally hundreds of these tools available. Some of the better known applications are Intuit, Wix and Homestead. Godaddy also bundles a hosting package with their website builder and you can have a website up and online in minutes.

No matter how easy these applications are to run, the downside is that there is always a learning curve—however short, and you are limited with what you can do. Don’t expect to start the next Facebook or Overstock using these applications. But take heart; there is a way to get a professional, high-end website with all the bells, whistles and social media for just a few cents a day.

The actual cost you will incur are for hosting. A web host is where your website will live. All your files, images and applications will be delivered to your visitors from your web hosting company. Choosing the right web host depends on your needs, such as the amount of space you will need, bandwith usage and other factors. There are companies that offer free web hosting but these companies require that you display their advertising and limit features. More on choosing a web host and my recommendations as we get closer to launching your new website In the meantime, I highly recommend building and testing your site locally (on your computer) before going live. I will address these issues in my next post.

To get the website you want, all you need is a little ambition, a significant amount of patience and a willingness to learn. We are not talking about learning HTML, JavaScript, PHP (although becoming familiar with these languages can only help) or any other complicated computer language, we are talking about Open Source Software applications.

Now wait. Before you start groaning and close this blog, this is not as complex as it sounds but, alas, I will have to ask you to wait until my next post the give you the skinny on the Open Source Content Management System. It will be worth the wait.

New and Improved!

2010-07-31T19:12:00.006-04:00

For nearly a year, I have to admit I have been neglecting Net Digs. It is not due to lack of interest, subjects or content. Far from it. It's simply time.

Since my last post on the subject of Debt Collection last August, I have been busy developing websites for clients across the country. And, if you know anything about web development, it can be quite time consuming. Therefore, rather than just focusing on one niche and using Net Digs as a sounding board for one of my own websites, I've decided to change my focus and concentrate on the broader subject of web design and publishing.

From this point forward, I will be posting and focusingNet Digs on all aspects of digital media including, web design, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, how-to code tutorials and much more. Additionally, I will pass on links and, what I deem, useful information for like-minded readers.

So, come back often and your comments are always welcome.

Debt Collection House of Horrors

2009-08-06T08:18:00.004-04:00

I am truly amazed by the amount of abuse individuals are willing to endure from debt collectors due to the guilt of being in debt. Examples of extreme tactics used by debt collectors include, as recently reported by >HLN, the New York Attorneys General arrested over 30 debt collectors for impersonating police officers threatening to arrest debtors if they did not pay up immediately. In another alarming incident, a man allegedly set himself on fire in despair over relentless harassing collection calls.

You may see these events as anomalies or isolated incidents, however, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Visit The Rip Off Report and you'll find hundreds of complaints and outrageous stories perpetrated by debt collectors.

The current economic downturn has prompted collection agencies and their collectors to apply more in-your-face, abusive and illegal tactics to collect on debts. Extreme measures collectors use to try to get paid is growing. Even more amazing, some individuals in debt allow the abuse. It's as if they feel they deserve the threats and berating, when in reality, many suffer a true hardship. Loss of employment, divorce, health problems are hardships that make the best intentions to pay off debt nearly impossible to live up to. Do not be shamed into enduring any abuse. Whether it is your fault or not is irrelevant. That is why there are legitimate debt relief programs in place to help those that need it.

It's a safe bet that when John Beggins invented the first credit card in 1946, he had no idea that his vision of a convenient way to pay (and make a few bucks on interest), would morph into the live-above-your-means monster it is today. In fact, the average American possesses eight credit cards with a total national debt of over 2.6 trillion dollars! So, if you're in debt, you have lots of company, and now is the time to stop the madness.

First and foremost, stop feeling guilty. Remove the stress of harassing phone calls and letters from bill collectors. Whatever the circumstances that got you in over your head, there is nothing that warrants abusive or illegal collection practices. There are laws in place to stop dubious collectors from making your life a living hell. Take the offensive towards debt collectors and educate yourself.

The FTC's Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a great place to start. You will find every law applicable to debt collection and collection agencies on the federal level. This government publication is free to download and will stop dubious collectors and agencies in their tracks.

So straighten up, assert yourself, download the free manual and get to work. Your life will be much calmer, you'll sleep better with a lot less stress.

For more information on debt relief programs, please visit http://www.stopdebtamerica.com