Updating websites on the road

[Xander]

So after spending hours and hour and hours in front of a computer building a website (which we were going to launch shortly), Mrs.X asks me "So can you update it from any computer in any internet cafe?" AAAAHHHHHH I dont think so.?!?!?! .. PLEASE someone tell me i am wrong. Here is my situation. I have built a website in DREAMWAEVER 4 (yes very old prog), on my laptop and FTP it to the host server (mshome @ 1&1). So Other then finding a wireless conection or bribeing, cajoling, bullying the internet cafe attendent to let me plug in my computer (which will be an ASUS eee pc) how do I update my webpage?? How have others done this???

Help
-Lost in Cyberspace...

[steved1969]

The answer depends somewhat on if you know HTML or only Dreamweaver.

As dreamweaver is a commercial program you are not likely to find it available for use on PC's in internet cafe's along your route, which means unless you know HTML or can hook up your EEE (assuming it's installed on it) then you will have a problem updating your site I'm afraid.

That said HTML is relatively simple to learn, and assuming that your dreamweaver software created HTML pages for your site a decent book on HTML and a bit of time spent looking over what dreamweaver has created may be enough to let you modify the site as you travel.

HTML4 for dummies is a good entry level / reference book.

[Alexlebrit]

If what you'll be updating is simple text and photos it might not be too hard at all. Any browser will let you view the source of a page and any simple word processor (even notepad) will let you edit the HTML.

If you go to the top of your browser, click View > Source (or Page Source), you'll then be able to see the HTML.

What I'd suggest doing is using your Dreamweaver to create all the additional pages you'll need NOW. Put in all the links you'll need, and the put in some sample photos, and some sample text.

Hopefully when you're on the road you can use these and simply modify them as you go along by inserting the text where your existing sample text is, and the pictures where your existing pictures are. It will mean though that you have to find places where you can use ftp-uploading to your server, but at least you won't be encombered by having to find the right program.

Of course a second thought is to find a friend at home who's capable of doing this, and then you simply e-mail them the text and photos you want.

And a third thought, assuming it's a diary you want to keep is to create a blog linked from your website, you can usually then modify the template to match your site and then use their e-mail to blog services.

That's what I did with ours.

[buebo]

If we are talking about updating something like a blog than just don't use static html (which is what Dreamweaver is doing), instead I'd rather use a php based System (Wordpress comes to mind).

Nowadays static html is the exception and dynamic sites the rule and that is for a reason, updating static sites is (compared to most blogging systems) just a nuisance and gets tedious very fast.

By the way there's loads and loads of free bloging spaces all around and by using a service like that you don't have to worry about the technical side of it all.

All you need is internet access und a web browser, no matter what kind of computer you are using and from where...

Something else: From when is Dreamweaver 4? 2001?

The XHTML Standard has changed a bit since then and you can almost be certain that the code Dreamweaver puts out will be outdated by now.

Doesn't matter much if you're just using it to keep family and friends informed, but then there's much easier choices for that and for something that's supposed to (at least) look professional you'd be better off to really code it yourself or use something designed by somebody who knows his stuff...

[Redboots]

As stated, a custom blogging software is the way to go.
Apart from Wordpress, there is also Textpattern and many other off the peg solutions.

Can you convert your sites "look & feel" to a template for WP or TP? or find a ready made template that suits your needs?

Then all you do is login to your admin account and upload, or type, content... text, photos, whatever, from any internet cafe or from your eeepc - lots of hotels have wifi hotspots that are free to use. McDonalds, wash my mouth out!, also have wifi hotspots in their "restaurants" worldwide.

John

[Xander]

Hi Guys and thanks for all the input, and it is as i feared. Can some one explain to me the wordpress thing. (we have already set up a "blog" though google and have made it look (kinda) like our site, but would be happier if it was part of the site).


As far as i can tell you can (or have to) set up your own server for the wordpress by installing a database on to your domain hosting site.
Is this correct? (I am not talking about using wordpress to host your blog)

If so can you then just log on to your "database" in your domain hosting server and go from there (online)?
Does this effect anything else you have on site? or will it kinda just be "an other page"?

Or have I completely missed the point.
Cheers all
-Even more dazed and confused in cyber space?