PROMOTING YOUR CATTERY
How to Construct a Web Site

Putting Your Web Site Online

1. an Internet service provider that allows you storage space for a web site - usually when you sign on for Internet access, storage space is included in your monthly fee. If not, never fear. There are places on the web that will allow you to put your web site on their server for free, with the only limitations being the amount of storage space you are allowed to use - http://www.geocities.com for example. If you are willing to pay a minimal amount per month for storage spcae, you might want to check out http://www.serve.com or doteasy.com.

2. the knowledge to send your files from your computer at home to a remote computer using a process called FTP - File Transfer Protocol.

When you sign up for a full service web access program, you are normally given a set of disks to install the necssary internet software. Assuming you are using a PC compatible computer, one of the programs on the disk may be called WS-FTP (or possibly FETCH if you are using a MacIntosh). If you have neither of these programs, they can be down loaded from http://www.tucows.com

Loading Files with FTP

The left side - the local system - is your computer, and there should be file data shown - directory names in the top window and file names in the bottom window. The right side - the remote system - is for your ISP host computer, and their will be no files names shown there until you are connected and upload files.

The buttons to use on either local or remote system are easy to understand.

ChgDir - Change Directory
MkDir - Make Directory
RmDir - Remove Directory

The directional buttons in the middle are used to actually direct the transfer of data: <-- will transfer data from the remote system onto your local system computer and -->. will transfer files from your local system computer to the remote system.

Underneath the windows you will see ASCII and Binary with a radio button beside each one. These buttons are to be selected depending upon the kind of file that you are uploading. Use ASCII to send your text files to the remote system, and Binary to send your image files.

The buttons at the bottom are for program configuration, and to connect the program to the remote system. The only change you may want to make is under Options, and then Session Options. If you check PROMPT FOR DESTINATION, you will be asked to confirm the file name for each file as you upload it. This makes the changes in a file name saved in an 8.3 format with an .htm extension easy to change to an .html file extension. Press Save and exit. Now you can press the CONNECT button.

You will now see another screen, like the one on the right, that will allow you to input the information necessary to connect the two computers.

• Profile Name is the common name you will use to save this particular connection data.
• Host Name is the name of your ISP - e.g. computan.on.ca
• Host Type is best set at "auto detect" although chances are it will be UNIX
• User ID is your logon name for your ISP service - e.g.klawrenc
• Password is your password to connect to your ISP

Once your have completed this information, hit the SAVE button so that you will not need to configure it every time you want to use FTP to this particular remote system. If you need help completing this information, call your service provider.

Now hit the OK button, and this will start the connection between the two computers.

Once connected you will see a file with your directory on the remote system side of the window. You may see a directory named public_html in the directory list box. If not, use MkDir on the remote system side to create one. This is where you will store your web files. Double-click on the directory name to open it.

On the Local System side of the window, locate your directory with the files in for your web site. You can now highlight the file name that you want to upload, click ASCII or Binary and press the directional button. If you have separated your images into different directories, remember to make a new directory on the remote system, and load your images into that directory.

Your ISP will have a default file name for the opening page of your web site, probably either index.html or default.html - call them to find out what their default name is, and then rename your opening web site file on the remote system.

When you are finished using the FTP program, it is always important to CLOSE the connection using the bottom button.

If you are using a Mac

To upload your files from the Remote menu, select Put Folders and Files. You will see a file selection dialog box. Use the top file list to change to the directory on your local system where your web site files are located. Click on a file that you want to transfer and click the Add button to add it to the bottom file list.

Once the bottom file contains the files you want to upload, remembering of course NOT to mix your text and image files, click the Done button. You will see a dialog box titled Put Files. From the drop down lists with format options, choose Text for your text files, and for the Other Files option, choose Raw Data. Click OK to upload your files.

Check those links!

Deciding on the structure of your web site The URL, and explanation of basic HTML tags HTML tags to format your text & link to other pages How to include your photo images on your web site. Read also Taking Photos with the Web in Mind by Barbara French Adding email links, and what to do with a list Putting your pedigrees online Adding backgrounds and icons for pizazz Putting your web site online Publicizing your URL