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Personal Blog / Web site

  • 04-07-2007 11:22am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭


    I was thinking of setting up my own blog / web page similar to the ones some of you are already using ... I was hoping to get some advice on the following -
    • Domain registration, DNS and Hosting etc ... best / cheapest service providers and costs ?
    • Developing the site itself ... are you all wizards with dreamweaver or is there some simple s/w package you can use to build your own ?
    • Linking to flickr (to avoid having to upload images)
    • How much effort is involved ?
    • any other useful advice ...
    any advice would be welcome ... thanks


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    ... I should add ... I'm not really referring to blog sites ... I'd like my own domain name ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,424 ✭✭✭440Hz


    For my domain I use GoDaddy, for my hosting I use ASmallOrange (excellent).

    I do my own dev, when I get round to it.

    Linking to flickr is easily done using SimpleViewer. You simply get an APIkey from Flickr which you need to give to your SimpleViewer config and then you can just link to you flickr set by suppling the set ID. You get that SimpleViewer gallery that im sure you have seen around (i dont have a link handy)

    Effort - all depends on how 'unique' you want it to look to be honest. If you dont mind having a site that looks a lot like millions of other sites then you can easily work from templates online and product something without much effort... if you are after something different, thats where the effort comes in.

    Happy to help out with any setup/configuration issues though, if you want some guidance there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    Hmnnn ... I'm sensing the need for a turorial here ... Darren, you free any time for a boards web site development tutorial?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    Actually, this is something I've been thinking about too.

    I can write basic HTML and i'm sure I could quickly get the hang of the more complex stuff. There's plenty of software out there now to help you develop web pages.

    I'll keep my eye on this thread ... and any tutorials would be good.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,063 ✭✭✭GristlyEnd


    I use hosting365 for my domain name and web hosting. They are fairly reliable (we will just skip the events of the 15th June).

    Wordpress is the best I've found so far for blogging. It's free, has tons of themes, plugins and widgets. It's not that hard to set up.

    If you want Simon, I can meet up with you and go through it all including setting it up and we can do up a tutorial from that.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,424 ✭✭✭440Hz


    There are a good few comp sci heads on here who im sure will be willing to help. Im happy to add it to the list of techie tutorials im working on at the moment! Anyone wanna learn Java too hehe :P Im nearly finished that one ;)

    You can also have beginners guide to C if you like lol


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    H365 or blacknight are good. I host in the US because it works out cheaper. The link/ping times are a bit slower than if I hosted in Ireland, but that doesn't really bother me. I've over 200gb of hosting in the US for what you'd pay for 1gb over here.

    Register a domain with godaddy as said, works out at something like a fiver a year for a .com

    Wordpress is the way to go. Means you don't need to read books and books on dreamweaver or whatever your editor of choice is. It can be setup within minutes. Some people don't like wordpress, but tbh they normally fall under two distinct categories :D

    Effort and time involved, probably about 10 minutes with a credit card and a few websites. Bear in mind that your domain will take about 24 hours to become fully functional once registered, but that shouldnt cause any problems.

    I'll offer my advice services also along with Darren :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,424 ✭✭✭440Hz


    rymus wrote:
    I'll offer my advice services also along with Darren :D

    Forgetting about me again I see :D! hehe

    Yeah agreed, best to host in the US. I like ASmallOrange because they had the cheapest option for the plan I wanted and they are extremely reliable. Very very happy with the service, I have never had any issue with them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,735 ✭✭✭mikeanywhere


    DarrenG wrote:
    If you want Simon, I can meet up with you and go through it all including setting it up and we can do up a tutorial from that.

    I am going to have a link from my webby but not yet got the blog details finalised so would defo be interested in sitting in on this too Darren.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 858 ✭✭✭helios


    I do my hosting from Blacknight and got my domain from Always Amber. You should check out www.dynamicdrive.com for site building. They have all the dynamic content that makes sites a little more interesting...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,653 ✭✭✭m_stan


    I personally use GoDaddy for domain registration, and Blacknight for hosting. Its a good idea to keep those seperate. Though I used to use US hosting services, Blacknight are Irish, cheap and offer great support. As they are Irish your site will rank better on google.ie.

    My website is using a mix of custom code, publicly available flickr gallery code and blogger.com templates. Blogger allows me to use all the standard blogging features but on my own domain. The likes of wordpress also do this at a slightly more customisable level. If you are starting off, blogger is easy and I'd recommend it.

    I actually integrate flickr with my website using Lumisgallery. This pulls down all my flickr photos and sets onto my website. I dont have to do anything - I just do my flickr thing, and it all happens automatically.

    The beauty of all this is that my website is now maintenance free. If I want more photos on there, I just ad 'em to flickr and they appear magically on my website. If I want a new blog post, I just add it via blogger.com and it appears on my site. No messing around with code, though I do like to tweak my templates etc every now and then.

    Best thing to do to see what I've done is look at my website. Feel free to ask any questions you have. I'd be more than happy to advise or help out.

    My website is www.ragorder.com


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    actually Simon, if you are going the route of setting up a personal or professional website, it may be better to do a little investigation into the likes of dreamweaver. You could always maintain a completely unique "built from the ground up" website to host a portfolio/contact details that kinda thing and have the blog on a subdomain (blog.leinsterman.com for example) to keep up to date regular photo postings and rants on.. Works fairly well and adds a dimension of constant updates to your static html website.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,424 ✭✭✭440Hz


    so would defo be interested in sitting in on this too Darren.

    cough!

    :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,219 ✭✭✭Calina


    Simon,

    www.treasalynch.com - Powered by Coppermine
    www.treasalynch.com/journal - powered by WordPress. There are credits for the layouts somewhere on the site.

    I like WordPress because I can integrate Flickr with it.

    I'm looking into redesigning the Coppermine gallery (again). The site and domain reg is done by Blacknight who got me out of major problems with my previous hosting company.

    Fire away with any questions - if I can answer, I will.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,150 ✭✭✭FreeAnd..


    I use hosting365 for my domain name and web hosting. They are fairly reliable (we will just skip the events of the 15th June).

    Agreed, personally I use most of the differing technology -

    My own PHP linked to flickr using the flick API
    Simpleviewer for any of those who are flash inclined
    Wordpress for a Photo/Travel blog (that i havent started writing on yet)

    I host with Hosting365 and have my own domain name (www.thetrueview.com) , besides the initial set up there is zero maintenance and everything is handled through flickr, I just upload and work away - new galleries and images are picked up automatically. If you know a small bit it is worth investing the time up front, come up with a design and then use something such as php to connect to flickr. There is no point sorting images yourself as flickr is excellent for this.

    I still have a few things to sort out on mine, such as a search but this will again use the flickr api search (as soon as i update all my tags)..

    By the way i think the hosting costs around 40something for the year (1GB) but as i said you do not need much space if you are hosting the images on flickr..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    DarrenG wrote:
    I use hosting365 for my domain name and web hosting. They are fairly reliable (we will just skip the events of the 15th June).

    Wordpress is the best I've found so far for blogging. It's free, has tons of themes, plugins and widgets. It's not that hard to set up.

    If you want Simon, I can meet up with you and go through it all including setting it up and we can do up a tutorial from that.

    sounds like a plan ... had lunch with elven today ... I think she is interested too, but will be away for a few weeks ... question is my place or yours ... I'd be happy to pop out to Balbriggan ... as long as it includes some shooting time also ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    FreeAnd.. wrote:
    Agreed, personally I use most of the differing technology -

    My own PHP linked to flickr using the flick API
    Simpleviewer for any of those who are flash inclined
    Wordpress for a Photo/Travel blog (that i havent started writing on yet)

    You are scaring me with all this terminology :p

    now I have a degree in computers and telecoms ... so I know what API stands for but the rest .... hellllpp!!!

    where's me wiki ?


    ... It would be a nice little project to develop my own site ... so I suppose this would involve something like dreamweaver ... the only problem is how much time would it require to become competant enough from a virtual standing start ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭coolcon


    what about using something like this >>> http://www.mrsite.co.uk/ ? It gives you a domain of your choice, an email address like yourname@yoursitename.com and it lets you build a website from a number of templates. I bought it but havent used it yet. Cheapest to buy off amazon.co.uk ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,150 ✭✭✭FreeAnd..


    No need to learn dreamweaver really, you are better off to stick with a simple layout - a generic page, a menu etc..nothing complicated to set up. If i remember Dreamweaver is pretty straight forward anyway unless you want to do some intricated design work (which you shouldnt)

    If i were you i would just start with a plain page and get it linking to flickr and pulling the images - thats it basically, after that use an image or two of your own to "dress" the sight...

    good luck with it anyway..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,424 ✭✭✭440Hz


    Easiest way, like I said in the first post, and others have mentioned is linking flickr to your simpleviewer with an API key see http://www.sweeting.org/mark/flickrviewer/ for details. That is very easy to setup.

    With regard to Dreamweaver, its an easy way to get started, but they are less complicated wysiwyg applications out there that might get you started faster.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,063 ✭✭✭GristlyEnd


    sounds like a plan ... had lunch with elven today ... I think she is interested too, but will be away for a few weeks ... question is my place or yours ... I'd be happy to pop out to Balbriggan ... as long as it includes some shooting time also ...

    You're more than welcome to Balbriggan anytime, there is still plenty to shoot here. Have you though about a domain name? It might be an idea to purchase this in advance and then look at blacknight or hosting365 for the web hosting. We could then go through the setup of the site at my place.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    DarrenG wrote:
    You're more than welcome to Balbriggan anytime, there is still plenty to shoot here. Have you though about a domain name? It might be an idea to purchase this in advance and then look at blacknight or hosting365 for the web hosting. We could then go through the setup of the site at my place.

    Well www.leinsterman.com is available!!

    ... I'll call you about a Balbriggan visit ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,063 ✭✭✭GristlyEnd


    I would buy it quick then.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    yoink


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,764 ✭✭✭Valentia


    I use www.siteground.com/ and they have 500Gb web space and 5000Gb traffic all for $5.95 per month. You can register your domain name too very cheaply. I have used then for a few years without problems. Support is fantastic. If you do use them let me know first. I'll get a years free hosting ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    god bless referral schemes eh :D I havent paid for hosting since signing up 2 years ago


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    Sometimes finding the right domain name is the hard part.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    yeah... normally all the dirty ones are taken :D was going to register www.livefrogsupmyarse.com some years ago after watching a certain episode of "a scare at bedtime"... never got around to it.

    I always look back and wonder if I should have done it...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,966 ✭✭✭elven


    Tone...lowered... as usual, just lovely.

    I really can't make up my mind about a domain name. And that's what's held me up for so long... :(


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,764 ✭✭✭Valentia


    rymus wrote:
    yeah... normally all the dirty ones are taken :D was going to register www.livefrogsupmyarse.com some years ago after watching a certain episode of "a scare at bedtime"... never got around to it.

    I always look back and wonder if I should have done it...


    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    Valentia wrote:
    I use www.siteground.com/ and they have 500Gb web space and 5000Gb traffic all for $5.95 per month. You can register your domain name too very cheaply. I have used then for a few years without problems. Support is fantastic. If you do use them let me know first. I'll get a years free hosting ;)

    Well consider this as making contact then ... can you authorise my skype request so we can chat about this later ... i also want to discuss these test images ... I need to give you passwords etc for the ftp server ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    If I get a site form a US ISP such as the one Danny is recommending ... and I then want to also map the .ie domain ... is there any problem with this ?

    ... eg. if the ISP does not do .ie ... can I map to the site using their DNS or do I need to register elsewhere ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,764 ✭✭✭Valentia


    Well consider this as making contact then ... can you authorise my skype request so we can chat about this later ... i also want to discuss these test images ... I need to give you passwords etc for the ftp server ...

    Will do when I get home. Just back from the beach at Bettystown with a gang of kids. Must plug in a mike first for Skype. :rolleyes:

    I don't know anything about mapping domains. Rymus again?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    If I get a site form a US ISP such as the one Danny is recommending ... and I then want to also map the .ie domain ... is there any problem with this ?

    ... eg. if the ISP does not do .ie ... can I map to the site using their DNS or do I need to register elsewhere ?

    Exactly.. you buy your .ie from blacknight and use the dns details of your US host. no problems whatsoever


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    elven wrote:
    Tone...lowered... as usual, just lovely.

    I'll just stay quiet in future then. Or go the whole hog and move to PI. They'd sort out my attitude problem pretty quick :(


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,966 ✭✭✭elven


    Sure, it wouldn't be the same as a mature and polite discussion forum. That's just boring.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    No no.. you've brought up a valid and perfectly cromulent point. I'll consider this an intervention of sorts and will set about mending my evil ways and apologising to people via the medium of dance. No more dirty, underhanded toilet humour from now on. Now I best go home and beat myself with a reed until I am broken and bloodied. I have seen the light!

    Only mature, topical discussion from now on. It's the wave of the future.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,624 ✭✭✭✭Fajitas!


    'Rymus - More sarcasm than one can shake a stick at'




    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,819 ✭✭✭rymus


    not sarcasm at all I'll have you know! I'll save all that for 'real world' communications...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    440Hz wrote:
    cough!

    :(

    Jeez Katey ... can you give us a lesson too ? ;)

    ... don't take it personally ... if you were living in Dublin I'd be on to you also ...


    Thanks everyone for all of the information .... after doing extensive research (i.e. reading this thread and talking with Danny) ... I'm leaning towards wordpress, lightroom and www.siteground.com ... keep your eye on my sig for a change ...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    Calina wrote:
    Simon,

    www.treasalynch.com - Powered by Coppermine
    www.treasalynch.com/journal - powered by WordPress. There are credits for the layouts somewhere on the site.

    I like WordPress because I can integrate Flickr with it.

    I'm looking into redesigning the Coppermine gallery (again). The site and domain reg is done by Blacknight who got me out of major problems with my previous hosting company.

    Fire away with any questions - if I can answer, I will.

    I prefer the coppermine one ... it looks sleeker ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭leinsterman


    rymus wrote:
    not sarcasm at all I'll have you know! I'll save all that for 'real world' communications...

    you do real world comms too?

    wow!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,219 ✭✭✭Calina


    yes, but the wordpress one is there as more frequently updated content which I think is what rymus was suggesting - a gallery and a blog. That's just the way I've implemented it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 885 ✭✭✭Spyral


    get youself some webspace then d/l a thing called gallery2. stick that on your server and away you go. Its how i made my website to show my family someo f my pics. I dont have a proper domain name yet but here it is


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    Ok, I bit the bullet and registered a domain and got some hosting.

    Now, anyone know Dreamweaver or such?

    It's time to start building some pages. Any help/tips would be brilliant, even just basic stuff.

    Thanks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,424 ✭✭✭440Hz


    Best way to start is in Photoshop... do a mock up of what you want the site to look like and then think about how to make it. Happy to give you a hand with where to start with the code, tips etc if you like.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,624 ✭✭✭✭Fajitas!


    Heh, I bought my domain there a 2 days ago.

    Just building it now with lots of help from Katie.

    Dreamweaver is grand, but you really need it planned out before you go near it.

    Do you have CS3 Dreamweaver?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    Yeah, just installed dreamweaver.

    I've a few basic ideas in my head, so I need to start putting them down on paper and online.

    I might just see if Katie will guide me too, with her wisdom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,624 ✭✭✭✭Fajitas!


    Far far far from being finished at the moment, but www.alhigginsphotography.com is my start.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,332 ✭✭✭311


    Fajitas! wrote:
    Far far far from being finished at the moment, but www.alhigginsphotography.com is my start.

    Lookin good sir !


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