Hello, I want to make a Web site, and I've used Drupal before to add content to an existing site, but I've never actually made a site myself, and I have no idea how to get started.

It would be great if you could have a section for rank beginners, people who just want to make a site and put information on it. In fact, if you'll help me figure this out, I'd be willing to provide one....

Specific question--how do I make a home page to get going, and how do I get it on the Internet? Once I have a home page, I think I'm ok from there to make additional pages.

I've read through the forums, and I'm afraid I don't understand the questions, let alone the answers! (Somehow I've managed to get through life without learning a single coding language so am out of my element in your world.) It may indeed be true that my questions have been both asked and answered, but darned if I can figure out either.

I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks!

Heather F
heatherf@pcspeed.com

Comments

Dublin Drupaller’s picture

HI Heather,

Glad to help out...a few quick questions:

(a) do you have some webspace to work with or in other words have you bought a domain like www.heather.org and some web space with it?

If you haven't. You need to order some and if you're shopping around, make sure the host allows for PHP (the language Drupal works in) and gives you some MYSQL databases (where your Drupal content is stored).

if you have. drop me a quick email and I can set the database and initial drupal upload for you so you can get over that initial hump and get up and running.

Dub

Currently in Switzerland working as an Application Developer with UBS Investment Bank...using Drupal 7 and lots of swiss chocolate

heatherf-1’s picture

Hi DD,

I haven't yet bought a domain name. I looked on GoDaddy.com, and they have a very cheap $3.95/Month service that seems to allow for PHP and has a MYSQL database. Does this seem to make sense?

If you think it will work, I'll go ahead & get my domain name! Thanks for responding.

Best,

Heather

Dublin Drupaller’s picture

I'm not familiar with godaddy.com..had a quick look at the $3.95 plan..and if you're going with that (it doesn't indicate which version of php they have) choose a linux account...

I remember seeing offers of hosting from other Drupal veterans on here that might be worth chasing...maybe they could toss in their two cents..but, the godaddy.com doesn't really offer that much for $39.

Before signing up for godaddy.com I recommend you check out this thread discussion by Drupal users about good/bad/cheap hosting service companies

I tend to use a UK based Drupal (very) friendly hosting company called XERIOM. I couldn't recommend them high enough.

hope that helps..

Dub

Currently in Switzerland working as an Application Developer with UBS Investment Bank...using Drupal 7 and lots of swiss chocolate

bonobo’s picture

I had a site with them 6-8 months ago (the 3.95 deal) and they did not allow the "lock table" privilege, which really complicated matters.

Perhaps this is offered now, or offered with more expensive options, but it did not work well for me :|

Cheers,

Bill.

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http://www.funnymonkey.com
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heatherf-1’s picture

Oops--I just signed up for that deal. I will check with them and see what the story is now.

Thanks everyone, for comments and advice so far. I'm beginning to believe this will actually get done!

Will try to straighten out the GoDaddy issue & let you know how it goes.

best,

hf

cvc505’s picture

Compusell.biz offers hosting for $9.95 a month (US location) they also offer installation of drupal as a standard part of the basic package. They use fantastico as an automated installer but you can also instal manually. basic package include 1 GB of storage and 5GB of bandwidth.

sepeck’s picture

We're working on it Heather. :)
http://drupal.org/node/31896

Essentially, if you can install Drupal, follow the comments in the link above and hopefully we can get you some ideas soon. So far I have been able to get away without learning php for two years now, so you'll be able to do it if I can.

One helpful link is wikipedia.org. It's a great place to research terms you don't understand yet.

-sp
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Test site, always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide -|- Black Mountain

-Steven Peck
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Test site, always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide

bonobo’s picture

you could try this: http://drupal.org/node/31853

This site will (probably/certainly) have some things you are not interested in, but it will give you some instructions on different ways of posting content to your site.

Hope this helps,

bonobo

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http://www.funnymonkey.com
Tools for Teachers