Now that the internet has been in existence for almost two decades, the number of websites currently active and the number of domain names registered is in the millions. So what does one do when they want to create their own addition to the worldwide web? Today, there are many routes one could take to make their dream of creating a website a reality.
There is the standard way of building a site from scratch by using html, C++ or other types of computer programming language. There are various site building programs available for download that require paying a fee each month (some of better quality than others). There are also free web design programs such as Weebly, which might not look as slick or professional as a site designed professionally, but they get the job done. Then there are social networking sites such as Facebook (and previously Myspace) that many organizations, including rock'n'roll groups use as their primary homepage instead of going to the trouble of building or paying someone to build their website.
The possibilities for getting one's self out there on the internet are almost boundless. The question is, which of these options is right for you? Do you want quick'n'easy? Slow and complex but effective? Can you afford to hire a professional web designer or pay fees for a web design program?
Out of the various web design implements you may have come across in your life, which is most effective? Which of these would you choose if you were to design your own webpage (which might actually be inevitable for those studying to become teachers, for example, who may be mandated to integrate an online component into their lesson plans in order to prepare kids to be computer literate in a world becoming increasingly dependent on new media.
HTML, C++, HTTP, and what else? Hmm I see that as jhbjdlfbjbgjlbbhdgfhksb! When it comes to using this coded language to create a website it all sounds like foreign language to me. I would love for nothing more than to know what those codes meant, but I also have no desire to learn them! If I had to create my own website complete with code input I would definitely prefer a tool that is quick, and easy verse slow, and complex. In all actuality even though I am no Donald Trump, I would much rather prefer to beg, borrow, and steal the money that it would take to hire a fancy graphic website designer to do all the hard work for me and all I need to do is make the posts. Hey I know it sounds a bit lazy but I am no science major! And that’s exactly why IT majors, graphic design majors, and any other major in the computer world make so much hard cold cash.
ReplyDeleteI have had some experience with HTML due to a class I took last semester, but could never independently create a whole website using html. I think that if I were to create a website, depending on the use I would choose facebook or another program that provided website templates. I think facebook is very well made and all you have to do is fill in the information. However, if this were for something professional (i.e creating an online component for teaching), I would probably use a template. The HTML is just too complicated for me. I also think facebook is really effective because a majority of the population use facebook so for many people it would be easy to navigate and find.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a business or a brand, I would want to have a webpage that involved HTML. I have very limited experience with it so I may need some assistance with it, though. For my purposes of teaching and keeping my students and parents up to date with what is going on, I am fine with a site like Weebly. I think that as long as the site is easily navigated, organized, and has nice images and videos.
ReplyDeleteThis semester for another course I was required to build my own webpage using HTML language. It was quite difficult and at times frustrating and confusing. But because it was required, I had to do it. At times, I thought I was not capable of completing the task. But I was successful and on time, which just goes to show you that you can accomplish something, even though in its creation you may feel defeated. Nonetheless, I am relieved that we will be able to use Weebly to create our portfolios for this class. As I have begun my portfolio, I have already utilized Weebly and am impressed with the fairly large variety of templates as well as graphics, photo galleries, slideshows, etc. While I am required to produce my own material, I can see the possibilities exist for all sorts of uses ranging from personal to professional. The free option as opposed to hiring a professional web designer is very appealing and the significant number of professionals, such as musicians, using Facebook is an indication of the acceptability and relatability of the nonprofessional approach.
ReplyDeleteI personally have never had any experience with HTML and I really have no desire to. From what I've heard from my friends it is extremely painful to try and create a website that way unless your a genius, so I'll pass. However, I have used Weebly on different occasions and I find it very easy to use. I think it is a fast and easy way to create an effective website, if your going for a more professional look than facebook. But with that said I think facebook is probably the most effective way since that is where the majority of society spends their time. Facebook pages are extremely easy to set up with all of your information and its a great way to communicate with people at the same time. With today's generation growing up with new media I think the best approach would be facebook. But if your going for the more professional look for a business it would be best to hire a web designer if you can't do HTML or simply use a site like Weebly.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that there are a great variety of ways to build a webpage. I would find it difficult to go the "slow and complex" way to build my own site. I am good with technology, but not too savvy when it gets complex. I would most likely make a blog, Weebly, or Facebook page to get my message out there if I wanted my own site. I do feel that these sites can be effective; however, I find that sites that look more professional seem more accredited and offer the audience more insight and assurance to what they are promoting. Blogs and Facebook can allow one's audience to interact with them, but a professional site looks better for the person promoting their music, lesson plans, or anything one would use any of these sites for.
ReplyDeleteIt really is amazing how many options are out there for people who want to be seen and heard on the web. I have taken computer classes where I had to design a webpage using HTML code and it is horrible!! There are so many little things to remember and if you miss one little thing it can prevent the whole page from running. On the other hand, it was pretty neat to see the end product after entering a bunch of random codes! As for my personal preference, quick and easy would be the route I would go. Going into the teaching field, it is inevitable that I will be required to bring a lot of technology into the classroom and the web provides so many learning opportunities for children in and out of the classroom. The "facebook" sites out there are helpful becuase you really are not required to do much. There is even a site called Edmondo which is set up just like facebook but used for teacher student interactions, and safe! I think these are great tools for teachers, rather than building an actual website. Those who need their own websites built are usually doing it from a business aspect so I would not foresee needing to hire a web designer in my near future! I will stick with the basic and free ones that are out there!
ReplyDeleteI have had minimal experience with computer programming. I have dabbled with html and I was completely awful at it. Depending on the seriousness of the website I wanted to build would determine what type of website that I would want to build. For the portfolio assignment I used weebly.com and I felt like that was an effective measure for what I wanted to do. For me, I doubt I will need a very big website that includes complex programming. For me I would just stick to one of the free, easy to use websites. Facebook pages are very easy to set up, but if I wanted to build a webpage for my career I would stay away from Facebook. It is not as professional and I don't believe a lot of my clientele would be on facebook. I would have no problem hiring a programmer to set up my webpage if I needed to.
ReplyDeleteI hate HTML and coding. While everything around us gets easier to use, website coding is stubborn and refuses to conform, so I'm happy using blogging sites like Tumblr and Wordpress. Being seen or heard on the web is insanely difficult and nearly impossible unless you have a platform (are famous) already.
ReplyDeleteIf I wanted to make my own legit website I would first pimp myself through Facebook, Twitter, DeviantART, anything. I'm in the process of perfecting my Tumblr blog, which isn't my own site persay, but I plan to interest people to it through Facebook and Twitter. I would never suffer through making own site; I'll pay a designer to do it no problem! But first I would want a following, which is why I'm so glad blogging is free, for the most part.
There clearly is an endless amount of possibilities when it comes to creating your own webpage. At this point in my education and career, I have never had to come across a point where I needed to create my own webpage. I find that computers are a necessary component in my life; staying connected to friends and family and being able to complete homework in the comfort of my home is quite important. Within the educational field, I understand the growing need for new media within the classroom and the future outlook on these technological advances. On the contrary, I absolutely cannot stand the fact that I may need to incorporate a webpage for my future classroom. I realize the benefits, keeping parents, teachers and students on the same page, and allowing an inside view on what students are learning and need to know. On the other side, I find myself very technologically deprived in the essence that I do not understand where to even begin if and when creating my own webpage. I have never really been technologically savvy and the thought of creating a website from scratch makes my brain throb (literally!). I would absolutely never create my own website from scratch, the thought of it makes me stressed out in itself. The thought of even creating a Weebly or any other easier free web design makes me nervous and uneasy as well. I understand that I will eventually come across this in the future, but will probably hold the same negative feelings. I believe that any of the above ways of creating a website is dependent upon the career in which you are entering. As a future teacher, creating a website like Weebly would be most beneficial for me. If I were a graphic designer, you may want to start from scratch and have someone work with you on creating one that is quite a bit more professional. Overall, I absolutely understand the importance of webpages, especially in the educational realm, but do not appreciate the hard work of getting to the completed version of one.
ReplyDeleteThis semester I took an Introduction to Computer Science class, a large part of which was centered around learning and using HTML and JavaScript. Before that class I had had very little experience with HTML. I have learned a lot over the semester, and now I actually enjoy manipulating HTML and building websites. Coding seems daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is really only a lot of simple repetition and filling in information. I believe that basic HTML is something everyone should know, or at least understand.
ReplyDeleteI have been working on my portfolio through a blogging website called Posterous, which allows you to choose from templates and layouts for your page. I have very often found myself looking back on what I have learned in my Computer Science class in order to change these templates and create a different look for my page. I think that at least for now, this is as far as my experience with HTML will get me in regards to website building. If I were to start my own website from scratch, I would probably have to invest in some help from professionals, or at least a website that allows me to start from a template and work from there.
When making a website I would like to have a quick and easy way to making a website. The easier it is the more work I can put on the page and get done. Slow and complex is nice but for me easier is better. I would rather make the website myself, because I feel that if you can do the work and then publish it by yourself it is more rewarding. The most effective web design was probably the original facebook, before it changed 3-4 times. I enjoyed the layout and how it worked.
ReplyDeleteI have very minimal experience using any kind of computer programming; it’s a completely and total foreign language to me. In high school I had C++, and it was a total fail, I could’ve sworn that the keyboards had a whole different alphabet written on it; it was a complete failure. I appreciate the fact that there are many websites that are dedicated to help those who can’t make one from scratch. Weebly.com, the website we are using to create our website is incredibly helpful. It has the templates already done and basically all you have to do is copy and paste things; how easier can it get. But as for me in the long run having to make my own website for a business or something business related I would hire someone in a heartbeat.
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