Very new and very confused.

[broberts]

I am very new to all of this..I naively (sp?) thought this was going to be a lot easier than it has turned out to be. I have practically no experience with type of stuff, so please be patient with me as I ask my very simple questions...lol.

What is an FTP and why do I need one...what is the actualy purpose and when will I need to use it?

My account was activated yesterday, I'm pretty sure it is still being propagated (whatever that means..lol), but can I start building my site in the meantime? I have registered with Site Studio and have an account there now...just can't access it yet, but would really love to get started on building my site.

Also, what is the difference in using Site Studio verses using the templates on my cpanel? I can access the templates and download in html to my computer but can't seem to get the darn thing to run, is this where the FTP comes in?

Okay, so any help for this inexperienced newbie is greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much.

[calum]

FTP is used to connect with your hosting account so you can upload files.

You need an FTP Client like FileZilla. You can then enter your FTP login details and log in to FTP.

You will see the same as in your cPanel file manager and you will be able to upload files and things.

For the propogation, you need to wait up to 48 hours for your DNS to update so you can see your site.

At your domain, are you sure that you have set the nameservers to point to your HostGator nameservers?

You can send an email to support@hostgator.com and ask them if you set your domain up right, if it isn't propogating.

Site Studio is an easy way to build the site, but the templates actually have all the HTML files and images, so you need to edit them and edit the source to change your site. Site Studio is easier but less flexible.

[broberts]

Thanks Calum...took your advice and emailed support, we'll see what happens..

I'll play around with the templates and see what I can figure out.

Thanks so much for your help.

[dewt]

Welcome to HG!

A site I found very useful (and still use) when I started to teach myself html is http://www.w3schools.com/

[mp3]

I remember this time. The problem is you don't know what it is you don't know.
---
I would recommend you buy an introduction to html book. It might also give you some basics on putting together a website.
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As mentioned, get Filezilla: http://filezilla-project.org/download.php
It is a simple and easy to use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client. HostGator will have an ftp server for you.
So something like
Host: ftp.example.com (where example is your domain name)
Port: 21 (default)
username: The username you use for cpanel
password: The password you use for cpanel

You can now easily move files from your computer (where you keep your backups) and the webserver.
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Propagated - Domain names are run by voodoo. No really, there are lots of servers that have to be notified of this new name, so it takes awhile to get around. Depending on which server you go to to lookup the name (like looking up a phone number in a phone book) some might not be updated with the new information.

This means some people might be able to get to your site and others might not.
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I can't help you with the HostGator template things as I've never used them myself, but I highly recommend OSWD for templates.

If you are just doing this to learn, make your own templates, otherwise use a third-party template.
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One other thing, I recommend using a text editor that does some highlighting, but doesn't actually write any code for you.
Notepad++ is an excellent choice. http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/download.php

PS: Make frequent backups (on your system) of your work and save them in folders named for the date (e.g.: C:\backups\2008.12.02\<files go here>
Don't ever count on a host or anyone else to backup your files.

[gwyneth]

When you get activated for full forum access, you'll find a lot of helpful information.

This thread discusses site studio/builder:

Site studio/builder alternatives even novices can use

[Hullabaloo]

Welcome to the craziness.

Some quick answers / observations.

Sitestudio - kinda limited, you would probably end up just using it to generate templates that you then edit. Was a great idea a few years ago.

Editing Templates - in the link above that gwyneth points to, she recommends getting NVU or KompoZer to edit your pages. They are called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors. Great (free) places to start.

Templates are downloaded as .zip files, you will need an unzipping program.

Templates from HG are nice, they have some problems for new users though.
Most Templates come in 2 flavors, With Flash and Without Flash.

The With Flash versions really require a Flash editor, my advice is leave 'em alone. If you want to edit Flash, to fix rollovers and links on a template, you are a better man than I.

The Without Flash Templates will have 2 folders, HTML & PSD.
The HTML folder contains a working site (double-click index.htm.) It has the CSS info and any subfolders you need.

The PSD folder contains files in the proprietary .psd Photoshop format, other (free) programs like GIMP will open them, but do not handle the text layers like Photoshop does.
These files are the source for graphic images (tabs, rollovers, etc...) you need, but you will have to add any text yourself. The CSS info (in the index.htm file in the HTML folder) will offer hints as to what the proper fonts are.

Basic Steps:
Download and edit a template.
Upload the edited work to your site using an FTP program.
You must send the HTML files to the /public_html folder, create an images subfolder in public_html and upload the graphics there.
That should get you started.

Notepad++ is great, but awfully complex / daunting for a newebie.
I use Crimson Editor, it is old and no longer being updated, but I like it. A nice feature is built in FTP program so that you can edit your files online; don't have to download a file, change it, save it, upload it just to fix a typo. Notepad++ can do this too.

Hope this helps some.

[gwyneth]

Also in that thread are links to a couple of sources for simple free templates.

The time and aggravation you spend with site studio/builder could be better spent on longer-range solutions.

[broberts]

Yeah, the site studio is driving me crazy...it keeps going offline saying its too busy or something of the sort...so I'm gonna 86 that idea.

You guys are wonderful! Thank you all for your time and suggestions for this very lost newbie. I truely appreciate your help. Thanks for all the links to the templates and other useful info. I'm off to absorb this wealth of info. Be back soon with more questions...I'm sure..lol. Thanks again guys!

[dwrunyon]

As I have just left them, I can ASSURE you that Hostgator is a better webhost, so don't anybody FREAK OUT and thank of leavin fer em, but the Dreamhost Wiki is by far the best web hosting how to I have ever seen anywhere... you would do very well to spend some time readin over it fer the next few weeks... it has ALL KINDS of non-Dreamhost specific, general hostin and internet werkins infermation, all very well organized and in one tidy little spot... check it out (this is a link).

[striddy]

Originally Posted by dwrunyon

As I have just left them, I can ASSURE you that Hostgator is a better webhost, so don't anybody FREAK OUT and thank of leavin fer em, but the Dreamhost Wiki is by far the best web hosting how to I have ever seen anywhere... you would do very well to spend some time readin over it fer the next few weeks... it has ALL KINDS of non-Dreamhost specific, general hostin and internet werkins infermation, all very well organized and in one tidy little spot... check it out (this is a link).

Wish we had auto spell check here.

[dwrunyon]

Originally Posted by striddy

Wish we had auto spell check here.

Whutever!!! Check out this OTHER awesome Ausie!!! I just fount out about him a coupla nights ago while searchin up this ol timer named Dock Boggs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiacCkO-mS0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrOS452rxSM

I thank I need some exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by striddy

Wish we had auto spell check here.

Or one that added (sic). Users of Firefox have that wonderful option (Tools/Options/Advanced/Browsing) to "Check my spelling as I type", which puts a little red squiggly line under misspelled words and provides alternates in the context menu.

[dwrunyon]

Originally Posted by gwyneth

Or one that added (sic). Users of Firefox have that wonderful option (Tools/Options/Advanced/Browsing) to "Check my spelling as I type", which puts a little red squiggly line under misspelled words and provides alternates in the context menu.

Yes... they is always all kinds of them red lines on my thangs till I right click em and choose "add to dictionary"...

[Karin]

I liked the wiki.

Do you suppose there is any chance for a Hostgator wiki? It would be a great place for all of the nifty lists Gwyneth posts.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by Karin

I liked the wiki.

Do you suppose there is any chance for a Hostgator wiki? It would be a great place for all of the nifty lists Gwyneth posts.

I haven't looked at this in a while, don't know how current it is:

GatorWIKI

[dewt]

Originally Posted by gwyneth

I haven't looked at this in a while, don't know how current it is:

GatorWIKI

It comes up with a Dutch site. Since I don't speak any, it isn't really a lot of use to me.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by dewt

It comes up with a Dutch site. Since I don't speak any, it isn't really a lot of use to me.

Old bookmark, and that was probably Swedish.

Maybe:

Unofficial HostGator Wiki

[GvilleRick]

Looks like either the subdomain is not working or has been removed. The links are leading to the main domain site in Swedish for me.

[kmaw]

GatorZach ? was discussing getting hosting for the gatorwiki on an HG server... perhaps it was tromped because it wasn't an official wiki?

[dewt]

Originally Posted by kmaw

GatorZach ? was discussing getting hosting for the gatorwiki on an HG server... perhaps it was tromped because it wasn't an official wiki?

What is the general feeling among the 'resident experts' - do we want a wiki? I would be willing to host it on my account if there is enough support for it (a bonus for me is that at least I would always know where to find Gwyneths lists). I would need some help setting it up and administering it as I've never done anything like a wiki before. I may as well be providing a usefull service whilst learning the intricacies of 'wikiying'(?).

[dwrunyon]

I would prefer an official one. The reason I never liked the one attemptedly linked above is that it was sorta shadyish, with ads and crap bein much more prominent than the content (which was sparse). Nobody wants to spend significant amounts of time volunteerin personal time resources to build somthin that should be LONG term, one "just some dude who's been here a while"'s personal acct.

An official wiki though, is a must have... that DH wiki is one of their most awesome "features", it really is. A couple of dudes who live in their forum are the primary contributors, and it is nuthin less than spectacular, and is very well run in general. I would imagine they would be willin to give tips on how to keep a good house... they are good folks.