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HOW TO GET
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To create a web site that will allow
Internet surfers to call up information from the web, one needs the Internet equivalent of
a phone, a phone number, and something to say. In
web terms, these refer to a web address, a host server, and a web site with content.
· Host
Server: The host server is a computer that is connected to the network of
computers known as the Internet and where your web files are stored. These machines remain “up” continuously
and are typically able to handle high levels of Internet traffic. Hosting services can be as simple as blank space
on which to load your web pages to packages that include databases, encryption technology
for secure on-line payments, to video and audio streaming abilities. The most basic services will provide web space
only (i.e., a subdirectory on the host machine’s hard drive). As the number of hosting service features increase
(e.g., web space, e-mail management, encryption technology, etc.), so does the price to
host your web site. As with domain name
registration services, hosting services can also be found on the web using an Internet
search engine or directory. There are
companies that provide free web space (and addresses) without any obligation from the
users except typically having to display banner ads on your site. Many Internet service providers include web space
as part of their subscriptions packages.
· Web
Address: To reach others by telephone, the person desiring to make contact
with another party must know the “number” of the phone he/she wishes to connect
with. In Internet terms, the phone number is
the web address (a.k.a., Uniform Resource Locator—URL). If you use web space provided by a free host, you
will probably have little choice in selecting your web address. These types of services usually allow you to
choose an account name that becomes part of the web address for your site. AT&T for example, assigns web address names as
http://accountname.home.att.net to subscribers of its Internet service
packages. To customize a web address to the
name of your enterprise, you would need to reserve one through a domain name registration
service (simply enter “domain name registration” into the search box of an
Internet search engine/directory to find a list of these companies). The most common of these have .com, .org,
and .net as extensions. Be sure to comparison-shop between several of
these companies and check out the offerings and prices of their services. Choosing a domain name is very important, it needs
to be one that people can remember and be able to identify your site.
· Web
Site with Content: ...Web sites can be as simple or as complex as desired. A page of text written in recently-released word
processing programs can be saved as an html file
and copied to the host server (via ftp) to
become a simple web site—pictures and colors can also be added. For a more professional looking site, web editing
software packages can be purchased that operate much like word processing software, but
that allow for more advanced editing techniques. Some
host servers provide web site templates, where the editor simply enters information into
pre-designed templates that automatically publish to the web.
from The Editor in Chief: A
Management Guide for Magazine Editors (2nd edition)
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