help needed from internet whizz-kids

[Freddiecat]

I have a business idea for a web-based business and yesterday took the rash step of registering an ISP with a company called Magic Moments (a friend recommended one and they had a nice entry level starter package).

Now it has just occured to me that I have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT.

Clearly I need to get a website up there fast. Ideally one with a form that emails me information. Later I want to get a full database up there but that can wait for now.

I am a computer programmer but in old-style mainframe stuff so no idea how to write HTML. However I can pick up stuff easily and databases are a doddle.

So. Can anyone recommend a book to help me? What software do I need to get to write the site? How do I get it on the web?

THEN - how do I set up a company and does it cost money?

This is so rash it's amazing. I am pregnant and working full-time so how the hell do I have time for this!

Dreamweaver is a really easy program to use which can build a website with links etc. Not sure about the forms but the 'tutorials' in the software pretty much show you the basics of building the website.
Don't you need to set a company up with companies house - can't remember how much it costs.

If you're already a computer programmer, HTML, PHP and CSS will be easy for you to pick up.

You don't need expensive programmes to help do it for you, notepad and some webspace are all that you need to get started. Or there are free editors such as Context which gives you syntax highlighting which can be a huge help.

Make sure that any webspace you get can be used for commercial purposes, run scripts and databases on etc (your "free" space you get with an ISP connection may well not be suitable for this). DH recommends getting web space running the Apache webserver along with PHP server-side scripting and the MySQL database.

Get a book first, then work from there You can always buy expensive software later, but always handy to know how to use the basics from scratch - Dreamweaver and the like will be much more powerful if you understand what it's doing and why. You want a beginners book on PHP and a beginners book on HTML (make sure you get a very recent copy of the HTML guide so that it discusses CSS).

Most of this is probably gobbledigook, but it'll become clearer, I promise I'm trying to get specific book recommendations out of dh now - will let you know.

Can't answer your questions on the company side of things I'm afraid - hopefully someone else will be able to help with that.

DH's recommendations:

PHP: "I would guess one of PHP and MySQL for Dummies, Sam's Teach Yourself Php, Mysql and Apache in 24 Hours or PHP and MySQL Web Development, 2nd edition "

CSS: "CSS - there's an eric Meyer book - but you need to know HTML and probably basic CSS first"

HTML: "sorry - really know nothing about HTML books"

website tutorial: "would also recommend W3Schools - Full Web Building Tutorials - All Free "

Company registration information:

Book on Setting Up a Limited Company

Company Registration at Companies House

Freddiecat - what languages do you know already?

If VB then you may find ASP easier than PHP (as it uses VBscript so you don't have to learn much) but that means using a Windows hosting account.

But the easiest thing for now would be to have a look at the resources already on your hosting account. Most come with a free Perl form-mail programme - once you have got to know a bit about HTML these are a doddle.

Also if you email me I could send you a copy of our "shell site" - you'd just have to change the CSS to suit yourself and maybe add some graphics. It has a mailer too (but one that requires a Windows server)

You could just use Dreamweaver, but actual coding of HTML is so much more satisfying!

PS If you don't use Dreamweaver, you will also need an FTP client. Use WS FTP Pro or Cute FTP

Freddie - I mentioned drreamweaver to you yesterday....I can get you a copy - I picked up the basics in no time...
also a friend of mine has a website which teachews you html - it is actually aimed at kids but i found it very useful....do you remember meeting 'steve with the tongue' afew years back??? well it is him.

will hunt out the link and email you!

\link(www.w3schools.com\this is the link that goerginaA already posted}
and it is written by my mate 'steve with the tongue'!!

try again popsy

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thanks so much for this information! so useful!

I have actually handed back the ISP as they wanted £78 for the ISP plus £7.99 as month for web hosting. Probably fair charges but it made me realise that I do have some free webspace with Onetel that I could use just to get started. Then when I am ready to be commercial I can get a proper one then.

Popsy - cannot remember steve with the tongue - remind me!

Senora - I only know mainframe COBOL (Noah used it for running applications on the Ark..... it's that old).

I think the welsh development agency is doing a big push on small business start ups at the moment so I'll talk to them about it all.

thanks!!