| Getting a server to host your own web pages and serve them out to
anyone in the world is easy, convenient, and "free". There are so many of
then being offered, that it is impossible to describe a general procedure that will apply
to all. When you sign up for Internet access through an ISP (Internet Service
Provider) one of the benefits may be to provide free, limited size web space. This
is a good place to start since you already have a relationship with them and probably have
specific instructions and assisting programs to complete the work. If you need another
place to serve your pages, just check the Internet for "web space". The
example that I am using below is the offering by RootsWeb.com
for unlimited space since you probably are already using the WorldConnect Project which is
hosted there also. Begin by accessing their space request page at http://accounts.rootsweb.com/index.cgi?op=show&page=freagree.htm
and clicking on the "I agree" button at the bottom. You will be requested
to enter your full name, E-mail address, and a name for your page (site). I
recommend that you use something short, yet descriptive and easy to remember. That
is what will be used for accessing ALL of your pages. You will be sent an E-mail
confirming your space and describing what you can do and giving you your password.
You can not change password. It is cryptic with upper/lower case letters. Be
sure to save it in a safe place.
Your community name will be one of many folders available to you to place your web
pages. Your home page address will then look like
"http://freepages.communityname.rootsweb.com/~acctname/" where communityname
will probably be "genealogy" and acctname is your site name. My site name
is "jimpool" so my home page is at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jimpool/.
Your "home page" (the first page accessed) will need to be named
"index.htm" or "index.html". After that you can name your pages
anything you want and make as many folders as you want. I strongly suggest that you
name EVERYTHING using lower case letters because the system
is CaSe sensitive.
You can use the help available at http://www.rootsweb.com/~betsy/helpfree.htm.
To get your web pages to the server requires using RootsWeb's file manager or a file
transfer program (FTP). The RootsWeb file manager is available at http://freepages.rootsweb.com/fileman/file_manager.cgi.
This is an excellent place to begin. Your "username" is your
account name. You can even use their page maker to create your first home page that
looks very professional.
A FTP is available to handle large groups of file in nearly the same manner as the
Windows Explorer program that came with your operating system. FTP programs are
available as shareware so they are free for a trial period and then have limited but still
functional capability until you register them. I am using CuteFTP and find that it
works very well with the RootsWeb system. |