English 340/347/603

Creating webpages requires that you be aware of several kinds of programs you may not have used in the past. Following is a brief description of each type, the name of the program commonly used at NKU, and instructions for how to access the program from one of the on-campus computers connected to the network.

Browser. A browser displays pages located on the world-wide web, or internet. The most common language used to tell browsers how to display a page is hypertext markup language (html). Other languages that also work with browsers include xml, sgml, and Java. The two browsers available on most NKU lab and classroom computers are Netscapes Communicator and Internet Explorer. To gain access to one of these programs, position your mouse on "Start" (in the lower left hand corner of the screen), left-click, find the appropriate icon on the popup menu, and left click on the icon. You can download the most recent version of Communicator from the internet.

Webpage Design Programs. Several programs are now available in LA526 that make building webpages easier. These programs provide a desktop interface (like that in MSWord); the programs write the code for you. Note that these programs are not perfect, so it is still a good idea to understand the rudiments of html so that you can troubleshoot your pages.

Netscapes Composer. One program that comes with Netscapes Communicator is Netscapes Composer. This program provides you with a desktop-environment and toolbars that allow you to create webpages without writing all of the html code underlying a page. Of the web design programs available in LA526, Netscapes Composer writes the simplest, most straightforward html code. Consequently, these pages are easiest to edit should you ever have to go into the code underlying a page. Netscapes Composer is also free and can be downloaded from the internet. To open Netscapes Composer, open Netscapes Communicator, then click "Communicator" on the toolbar and select "Composer." A desktop will appear. From this point you can either open a copy of an existing page or start a new page. 

Microsoft Frontpage. Microsoft Frontpage is part of Microsoft Office 2000. This program provides you with a desktop-environment and toolbars that allow you to create webpages without writing all of the html code underlying a page. Microsoft Frontpage can be used to create more sophisticated webpages than Netscapes Composer and offers a number of templates and "Wizards" that allow you to create webpages based on frames, a layout that is particularly useful when laying out library internet guides. Microsoft Frontpage uses a format called cascading stylesheets, which allows you greater control over how a webpage is displayed; however, Frontpage writes extremely complex code that is hard to edit at the code level. Microsoft Word's webpage conversion works similarly; Powerpoint also works this way and uses frames to display presentations converted to the web. Some of the webpages created by Microsoft products are not compatible with other browsers. When possible, be sure to set the program to create files that are compatible with multiple browsers (see separate instructions).
 

Putting your files on-line. After you have designed your pages, you are ready to transfer them from your local computer to the webserver, which is located in the Administration building at NKU. You will need access to two kinds of programs to put your files on the webserver and to maintain your files later: Telnet and FTP programs.

File transfer protocol (ftp). A file transfer protocol (ftp) program lets you transfer files from one computer to another. If your webpages will have a background or images, you will need to use an ftp program to transfer the graphics file (usually a *.gif or a *.jpg file) to your WWW folder on www.nku.edu. You can also use either a telnet or an ftp program to transfer html files.  The ftp program commonly used on IBM-compatible computers at NKU is WS_FTP. To find step-by-step directions on how to use WS_FTP, go to http://www.nku.edu/~rkdrury/ftp.html. Note: When using WS-FTP, be sure to transfer your files in "binary," not "ascii."

Telnet. A telnet program allows the computer you are using (your local computer) to connect with another computer (the remote computer). By using telnet, you can gain access to information on other computers or transfer files back and forth between two computers. The telnet program commonly used on PCs at NKU is Teraterm Pro. You can gain access to this program as follows:

1. Left-click the "Start" button on your computer screen.
2. Find and click on "Internet" programs.
3. Click on  "TeraTerm Pro."
4. When the dialog box appears, either type in the name of the computer you want, or select it (usually www.nku.edu [the webserver for faculty and staff], studenthome.nku.edu [the webserver for students],or nkuaxp.nku.edu [the mailserver].
5. A dialog box will appear. Enter your username and password for the system you've selected. Try the web interface for more up-to-date information.
6. Note:  If your password doesn't work or you don't know it, go the http://webmail.nku.edu; click on the "Change Password" link, and follow the instructions provided on this page to change your password. Then return to Teraterm Pro.
7. Once you are logged onto Teraterm Pro, you will need to communicate with the server using the appropiate UNIX commands (UNIX is the operating system used on the web server). For a table of UNIX commands, refer to the IT web development page at http://it.nku.edu/index.asp?id=281&sectionid=96 or go to http://www.webmonkey.com and search on the term UNIX.
   

Revised: 24 September 2003
Roxanne Kent-Drury