Thread: HELP PLEASE... OK I've got some pages published, but

Please keep in mind that I am brand new at all of this stuff...

Okay I've finally got some pages published; I've fixed my header & title, and that crazy color changing...
...But now how do I get my pages more centered so you don't have to scroll a mile off to the right?
I have a total of like 15 pages to publish (no kidding)
– I should probably have them fixed (centered right) before publishing them all??? So far I've only published about 3 pages.


I worked so hard on trying to get them all evened up... obviously I didn’t do it right!
After I get it fixed - that is if any one can help me - Please tell me how to fix it…
... do I just republish the page?
Same question for if I ever wanted to update something on the page do I just republish the page again? Does it automatically replace itself and does it delete or replace the old file? Or are they left on there forever until I delete them by hand?

Sorry but I'm getting a bit overwhelmed.
I’m trying to get this done like yesterday, and I’m tired.
Please help…
Becky
www.candcshires.com

Read this post by Linslady to make it easier on your self...

http://www.vodahost.com/vodatalk/bluevoda-tips-tricks-shortcuts/7628-setting-page-guides.html?highlight=page+guidelines

Also right click anywhere on the page and choose Page Properties.

When the dialog box opens ...click in the 'center in browser' option .

Another problem I’m having now -
I’ve published some pages - on those pages it said they published successfully, but they aren't showing up I have doubled & tripled checked the links – the links are all correct. Where do my pages go? I've republished successfully twice on one page? Any suggestions?

Beezzz -
Thanks, but the link you gave me http://www.vodahost.com/vodatalk/blu...age+guidelines
is not working - it says it has been deleted.
I've set the 'center in browser' option like you've suggested. I'm republishing my index page now. Hopefully it will publish. Some times it takes forever.
Thanks for the help - I'll write again when it posts and let you know how it looks. :) Becky

Oops
I got your link to work and have read it! thanks I'll defiantly be doing that from now on! Thanks again... Do you know why my pages aren't showing up? see my post two prior this one.
Beck

Try refreshing your browser to get the "new version" loaded......

Did you save each page and publish each too?

BTW, very nice horses.

jsut to point out that the pics on home page are all distorted? and it takes forver to load for me too try pic resizer from the voda downloads its free and will make it load faster

Becky-

You have a really fine site in the works! I am sure you will get this publishing issue resolved soon, but I would like to point one element in your design that is just a bit beyond what is generally considered as "standard practice" with regard to your webpage size....

It is common knowledge that more than 90% of all websites are created within parameters of page size (width) to enable the vast majority of visitors unimpeded complete viewing of your pages, without scrolling from side-to-side or even minimally up and down. The fact that most computer users do not reset their browser/monitor settings (they simply don't know how) beyond the "out-of-the-box" settings of 800 pixels wide and 600 pixels tall predicate that this be the base from which we design our webpages to fit.

Your web pages are beyond even the up-and-coming standard of 1024x768, settling around 1400 pixels wide! This is really something you should seriously reconsider reformatting before you create too many pages, which could possibly present a more burdensome task to accomplish!!!

From what I have seen so far, you have more than ample room to tighten up your layout, and minimal resizing of elements to acommodate the resizing I am suggesting. In truth, it will also be more pleasing to the eye, appearing more cognizantly organized and balanced. The sub-conscious eye picks up things like this immediately, which will translate into a feeling of comfort, familiarity (based on preconditioned expectations), and acceptance (what we know to be proper).

I would suggest that you attempt to resize your site at 800 wide ..... 805 max.
(Most carts, forums, etc. all come with templates preformatted around 765-775, for example)
You might see natural reforming of layout height-wise (which is acceptable), but try to remember to keep all important information and usable links "above the fold" (no lower than 575 pixels from the top of your web page - this is the bottom of the commonly viewable screen in all monitors at "box" settings).

I am sorry to have brought this to your attention at this late juncture, but maybe later is better than not at all, or when you had finished and had to consider changing a complete website??

Best to you, and I'll check back for a reply and to check on your status....

Thanks to you all for the helpful tips... But After I opened up the Layout grids... and figured out how little that tiny space is that is referred to as: width 800 x 600 ...
I about fainted.

Ok … no really I took a deep breath and just started to re-create - but I’m too tired to do any more tonight. I think I have it figured out as to how I'll get it all to fit in that little box...
With the exception that I will probably need some more help with some kind of template for my side bar and header - I'm having a bit of a hard time with that. But if you looked at what I’ve done so far, you see kind of what I’m trying to do…?

If you’ll take a look at a friend of my friends website, It will kind of give you guys an idea of where I’m going.. Sort of any how- But my will be a bit different _ I’m trying for better ;)
I like her lay out maybe you could explain how she did that (the borders and getting it all centered). But I want to keep my navigation bars like I have them not like hers.
http://www.dkspainthorses.com you’ll see where I got a lot of my graphics too…

I’m exhausted for tonight... but I’m sure I’ll be back at this tomorrow..
Thanks again for the help… I have a lot of pages to redo…

see ya all again tomorrow (I hope)
Becky

Hello out there... Okay I've been back at this since 7:00 or so this morning... I'm really having a hard time with designing a format (or back ground template) that works - I want to stay somewhat consistent with all my pages i.e.: navigation bar in the same place on every page etc...

Did any of you get a chance to look at my friend of a friend’s website?
http://www.dkspainthorses.com?
I like her lay out –
Does anyone know how she did the boarder like that? And centered it all? She is not doing websites any more, and at the moment in the middle of a large move out of state with all her horses... so she has no time to talk to me about how she did any of that.
I'm lost... I have a lot of pages to redo and in a hurry. I should have had this website up all ready… so I’m under a bit of pressure and stressing.
So any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!
- Becky

Yes, I did. I dont think that was built with BV.
Her site has very long pages.
The layout is nice, however a lot of pics take a long time to load -and I have broadband. I would not have the patience on dial-up.
Even if you copy her general style, give it your touch and center your pages, its an elegant page/activity.

Becky....
I know you are in a hurry, but it took me about 2 days before I could actually think of how and then produce something I could settle for: I did it in Publisher (just because I had it already, and for my teensy brain, it took a short learning curve!)

Using Word Art, borders, and frames, and 'tiles', I fiddled around until I came up with a colorized and textured version along the lines of what I had in mind. Then I saved it as an image (the save-as JPG option) so I could resize, crop, and apply it to the web. You might have to lay-in a "page" over the "frame" to cover the space (insert object, and colorize it appropriately - it's OK since it's all done in Windows tints).
You can even search through the options of textures/backgrounds in Publisher to note the "address" of the file, then go in Windows to "copy" the file to your BV folder, essentially recreating it as a resource to insert....I did this to get custom "backgrounds" into BV, resizing them super-huge and "sending them to back" ...
**You can even insert "tiles" into a WordArt object to further texture/customize fonts, frames, borders, etc. (In Publisher, that is)

I try to remind myself to "Think Linear" like a computer to undersatnd the logistics I am trying to manipulate with my creativity......

Maybe I can do something for you and simply email it....lemme see if I can remember....(I'll look again to get your colors)

Check your email for 2 versions of a made-from-scratch 3d frame in your color scheme.....

Vasili...
Thanks, but what email did you send that to? I didn't get it (might have been deleted if it went to the junk mail) could you resend it to dakcoda1@starband.net & I'll keep a watch for it :)
I haven't messed with setting up the email for voda yet -

Any how thanks again for doing that... I feel kind of bad now though, because I figured out some stuff.
have you seen what I've done so far? I pretty much changed the whole color thing, but I'm not exactly 100% okay with it.
But I have so many to do... pages that is. Do you by chance know why my pages still aren't centered? I checked all the boxes to get them centered & am working within that tiny box of 800x600

I am still having some trouble publishing. I hit the publish button the little green bars start to go then it times out or freezes.. About the 10th try it finally will go all the way.. ? Is it by chance because I have super slow satellite? Or could it be something else? I turned of my firewall off just to see if that would help -but Nope!

I'm super tired again.. I've been at this all day! Since 7 am so I'm giving up for the night. I'll check back in tomorrow.
Beck
www.candcshires.com

Like DUH!!! I didn't have Outlook on, so it's coming now (it gets annoying to constantly get 'boinged' from incoming while I work online, so I keep it off usually after hours....that's why I get avg. 650 eavery morning?? Whew!).
I'm re-sending to this email also, just in case it's different...

1. In BV, set you page guide to 800 wide.
2. Center your "image" (or call it page) within the left edge of the BV browser and the dotted white line which shows 800 wide
3. Go off somewhere to the side in the purple background and right-click once to bring up PROPERTIES (yes, once more...)
4. Rest Page Width to 800, leave height alone, and then click on Center Page in Browser
5. Immediately click on the little floppy to SAVE (lest you inadvetrtantlyclick anywhere else on the page background to reset the width off 800)
6. Publish - You need to know that although the publish-meter is not displaying progress, it IS working...but you might have to occasionally move your cursor to keep your screesaver from kicking in. This is especially true when publishing via wireless/WiFi and on satellite (like the both of us)

**I hope you realize that Centering, transition effects like fade, etc. ONLY work with Internet Explorer --well, ok, supposedly!-- so if you are using Mozilla, FireFox, etc. Centering will not present properly if you have set your monitor to 1024x768 for example.

If, after this round of "fix" is still is not centering properly (I see it still off to the left myself), then you need to resort to outwitting the computer:
reset your page guide to 550, and use it as a centerline to align everything up astride this guideline.
>>to find out how, maybe move your "frame" all the way to the left of the browser pane in BV (watch the X-Y axis in the lower right corner to be sure you SLOWLY click it left only until it gets to "0"...elements will bleed 3 clicks into the left edge if you are not careful). Now..look at the ruler at the top of BV browser, which will tell you how wide your frame/page is: say it's 795...and our guide is set at 550 (means we are laying out an 1100 wide page, so our mid page is now 397.5>round up to 398 >> (550-398=152) the left corner of your frame -which is what the X-Y axis picks up first- to be set at 152.......now, when it's all re-situated, repeat simple freaking centering via PROPERTIES and no matter what, the thing will present centered.....othewise I'll fly down there and kick the thing myself!

Vasili,
You do realize that I've never done this stuff before right? Hey i just figured out that I got a warning for... Please Help.. Oops - sorry to all, because I didn't realize, I still have no real understanding of how these threads work. It was pure luck for me to log on the first few times...

any how,
Well with the exception of 90 days with MS live & I do know my way around publisher, but I’m learning paint. Also I’m learning about music files... What the heck is an MP4 file – are they usless? I paid for the song then couldn’t use it for my babies (2006 Foals) page -

I'm pretty punchy right now - being as I pulled an all nighter trying to get this done... So I’m pretty tired and I’m about ready to just leave it lopsided

Thanks for explaining about uploading… Just it takes forever to upload the pages...
I had a bunch published then found stuff wrong and re-did them then the second page I named it- www.candcshires.com /news.html any how, one of my main links was missing an L - from the html... so now I have re-published that one (& I fixed the L) Only to know I will have to re-publish it again when I get it centered (or If I ever get it centered lol .. tedious stuff especially when your tired ;)

Trial & error I guess that’s the way I have to learn... oh yeah, I've been using that ccleaner every time before I start a new publish seems to help a bit
& hey, I figured out that the more graphics the longer it takes to upload...
And as you can tell I like messing with graphics and photos. Eventually (soon) I want to do a photography site. I’m sure I’ll need help with that one!

oh hey you might know - if you get a minute, go to www.brillantexpressions.com
I love her index page. I know that she used adobe-go-live so she must have used adobe ? Something or other to create the photo slide - book.
Do you know what it was she might have used?
Any one know what is the best photo/digital video program out there?

I just printed out your directions on how to center my pages... Not sure how much longer I’m going to work on this now... Maybe I’ll do more tomorrow?
But hey at least you have me in the box and not miles off the page anymore. Thanks for all the help.
Beck

Okay Yes I was overwhelemd trying to read the directions, but i took it one step at a time and what do you know!!!
I'm centered!!! Thanks..

wow

Originally Posted by Beck

I'm pretty punchy right now - being as I pulled an all nighter trying to get this done... So I’m pretty tired and I’m about ready to just leave it lopsided I went home at 5:30 AM this morning after getting only 4 hours sleep the night before. I have been lopsided for so long, I was sure it was the world that was off balance! (or maybe all the cars parked on the East coast??? LOL)

Trial & error I guess that’s the way I have to learn... I am surprised I have gotten as far along as I actually have!!!

I've been using that cleaner every time before I start a new publish seems to help a bit I don't recommend that...running your anti-virus weekly is fine. The Windows cleaner also cleans out your internet settings and sites, so for me it is such a tremendous pain to re-enter them. I only resort to this tool when something freezes up....

I figured out that the more graphics the longer it takes to upload...
Hopefully, you have "prepared"/optimized your pictures prior to publishing them to minimize load delays (you can always use the free VH pix resizer tool if you need it. let me know)

if you get a minute, go to ww.brillantexpressions.com Sorry...something about this link is wrong, as it took me to a "placeholder" page (nothing like what you discussed)
I love her index page. I know that she used adobe-go-live so she must have used adobe ? Something or other to create the photo slide - book.
Do you know what it was she might have used?
Any one know what is the best photo/digital video program out there?
You have yet to discover the really neat tools and options 'hidden' in BV!

Thanks for all the help.
No Problem, Becky! I merely got to VodaHost before you did! I am so grateful for the opportnity to finally define my online future myself that it is a joy to extend the same to others...

Originally Posted by Beck

.... trying to read the directions, but I took it one step at a time and what do you know???
I'm centered!!! Thanks....

LOLOL You are 'telegraphing' the fact you are over 30 !!!!

(If I have a "pet peeve" it would have to be the fact most no longer make even the first reasonable effort to do the homework or develop a real plan...written or not, let alone bother to follow directions one step at a time! LOLOLOL)

"Plan Your Work, and Work Your Plan!"

Becky,
What ever you do, don't get discouraged. It will all click and then you will be off and running. I think you are off to a good start, it's a very ambitious project you are undertaking but just keep posting here, these people are AMAZING and soooo generous with their knowledge. You couldn't ask for a better place to learn.
Good luck,
Karen

This link on MP4 might help http://www.*****.com/quicktime/technologies/mpeg4/

bill2006:
Thanks for the tip! I was trying to load the mp4 (song) file into my page properties background - as I have in all my pages, but it won't support that type of file. I figured out (with help from the link you posted) that I can add the song (mp4 file) by adding it to quick-time properties. Thanks now I can go back to finding cool music!

1) Could someone take a look at a page I'm having issues with?
It is located at www.candcshires.com/animation.html
I'm not sure if I used the right format? Or what I should use? The movie clip loads really slow.
I put in on my page using windows media player. In the windows media players properties I clicked the auto start box.

I would like it to auto start when you open the page, but because it is loading so slowly, it starts, then pauses and is not looking so smooth... my plan is for it to start automatically, and run all the way through...

My goal is working towards this website to be as user friendly as possible. A lot of people that will be looking at this site are not computer savvy at ALL. :)
I’m afraid that If the thing starts to play and stalls, they will hit buttons and might not get to see the whole thing properly. Plus it just doesn’t look good playing and freezing then playing and freezing… Are there any fixes to this?

Oh I created that clip with a program that came with my new HP Pavilion Media Center. (HP invent – Muvee technologies >muvees autoProducer 4.5) I was just messing around to see what the new computer had & it turned out kind of cool... it was super easy to do.
Now I just need it to load up right on the website.
beck

Originally Posted by Beck

Please keep in mind that I am brand new at all of this stuff...

You're not a beginner, that's a pretty good site.
Your videos are ok but they did load slow, as did the Foals 2006 page. Dial-up users are going to have problems.

I was having trouble getting it published too... might just be too much stuff on there?
I have gone back and figured out that even though I thought my pictures were small, they weren’t as small as they needed to be. So I've used Microsoft office picture manager and "compressed the files" for websites... hopefully that is going to help. So far I've just done this to the 2006 foal’s page. Now when you click on the thumbnails, it opens but not so big... (Not like you all didn’t say something to me about that earlier, guess it took a while to sink in) anyhow, so right now I am trying to republish it to the website so I can see if it is going to help.

But uploading it to the web is another matter, I wish there was an easy fix for that. I keep timing out or freezing up. It is taking FOREVER to upload. I’ve spent most of today just uploading and uploading and … … … finally getting the pages published. Then I find a problem like a link not working or a typo and had to republish it. I dread having to republish. So I’m doing my best not to make mistakes.

I'll need to go back and redo the News page too soon (not tonight)... because that too is a hard one to get uploaded, maybe compressing the photos. will help... I guess just too many graphics along with the photos.

Bill - Thank you so much for the nice complement! (and the one you gave about the horses. They are beautiful aren't they!) My baby is "Sal" he is on the photo_book.html page
But YES I am new at this website building stuff... but I have always been creative.
I did have a bit of a start on this a while back... I had published a website on Microsoft live beta for just the 90 days. That program is terrible.

So now I’m here! I love Blue Voda for giving me all the tools to be able to be as creative as I want to be! And I’ve recently been told I’m just scratching the surface of BV.. That’s just too cool for me!
Soon I want to start a photography website to be able to display my photographs for sale... But I will defiantly need your guy’s help with that one. I also really want to learn flash, but haven’t a clue where to start. (But first - I’m taking a break from all this after I get candcshires done-LOL)
Beck :)

www.candcshires.com Let me know what you all think of it – and any suggestions to make it better are always welcome :)

B-
I just noticed something, and wonder if you addressed it earlier or not (too lazy to read through the earlier 2 threads): your "C and C" logo....did you insert this as an image, or simply use a font on your system?
If you did NOT convert it to an image, it is probably translating into another (similar) font on visitor's screens, as they might not have it loaded on their PC.....sorry...
I have over 2100 fonts loaded, and always seem to forget that my version may not be what most people are seeing....

I did end up going back to just using the font. Every Time I tried to make it a picture, it got way to distorted blurry, and was hard to place right, but I did also ended up with a simper heading. I’ve Used Old English for the C and C Shires and Monotype corsiva for the other fancy font… otherwise, for anything else I just stuck to Arial and Times New Roman – In hopes that they are all universal fonts. :)

I’ve had several comments (not just b.v. people) say something about the red white & blue theme.. (The letters in “Cookie Cutter Babies” candcshires.com/bremers_page.html)
either they love it or hate it no one is really in between. :) So ? As long as the gal I did if for likes it right?!
“Bremer” is an American registered, American bred Stallion and all his babies are American born & registered, so I when I first started to build that page, I had photo with colored block back grounds behind them that ended up dark red & dark blue… so somewhat by accident, I ended up with a patriotic theme for that page. The gal I did this for liked the navigation red whit and blue on that page and wanted me to do it to all the pages.. Obviously I haven’t finished applying to the rest of the pages… but? Cheryl – who I did this for, has a prospective buyer for all the stock..(Horses) If that happens she wants to sell them this website too.. of course that prospective buyer isn’t so fond of the RWB theme.. go figure ;)
Well thanks again for all the help everyone…. But I’m taking a break from this for a bit.
so until then... thanks again!!!
Beck

Vasili -
I've been thinking about the fonts all night...
What do you think? Are the ones I picked pretty much universal ones? (see message prior) Or should I redo it?
I have sent the link to someone that I want to impress, they have windows, AOL - I realized that if the fonts don't come up right it will not look as nice. So do you think I'm safe with the ones I picked???
Worried now-
Beck

Dear Becky....
Honestly, your choice of Old English is very befitting for your site, but I would suggest converting your masts into images for universal appeal and complete continuity.
Your choice of backgrounds and complexity of fonts will lend nice to such conversion, which is easily accomlished in Publisher of all programs!
1. Make a text box and enter whatever you need keeping in mind you need to have the same background color as you going to "post" over! For intricate patterned backgrounds, this is not always possible using Publisher.
2. Make the size of your text/font at least 1/3 larger than you exact sixe needed, and colorize properly. ALL colors (backgrounds, font, etc.) created in Publisher is Windows generated, and match perfectly to BV, so nothing to fret there.
3. When satisfied, SAVE AS > JPG and as a Publisher file (in case you need to go back and make another version).
4. Using a photo editor, crop your new "mast" as close as possible to font area to allow for tighter registration to other BV elements, "*****en" and "despeckle"....
5. RESIZE, manually (in photo editor) by entering the pixel width you require --this will be smaller than as is now, don't worry-- and by doing so, you will find the resolution of your fonts to become more ***** and defined...
6. Re-Save using a new name from the previously tagged name created as you saved out of Publisher to your BV Images folder, and "insert" in your BV page in place of your textbox-logo in question....the best part of this that it will always remain stable and duplicative throughout your website and even for "print" applications....

If it is the wrong size, simply go back to the image named previous to re-sizing, and repeat the process at new size values until you get what you need.
Sound laborious? Maybe, but it is simple, and it does use software everyone already has.
If you need a picture resizer, you can even use the one provided by VodaHost: >> http://www.vodahost.com/pix.htm

Sorry I am so late responding...but I hope this helps you, and all the others that bother to read it in this Forum!

There may be a niftier way to do this, but this is the method I came up with LONG before BV8 came out and there were so many fine "experts" available in the Forum to help me when I needed some.....

Thanks... I'll go to work on it, but might not get it done real soon..
& yes it seems that it is going to be laborious, but isn't it all?

guess if you want it done right you actually have to work at it! :)

Could anyone point me in the right direction for flash? What programs are there, How hard is it to learn? & which ones are the best? and how about making my own graphics you know like the animated ones?

Take a look at the new Flash intro for PlusPlace.com which was posted yesterday in "Website Showcase" Forum....Roy used a simple program he wholeheartedly recommends (Swishmax), which can produce neat graphics (logos too --kill 2 birds with 1 stone??) and images also. Apparently, it's quite affordable, and he should know....it's what his sites are all about!
**I'd email him to ask a few questions directly....

Yout best bet is to do a Google search on Flash, the topic is way too large to cover in this thread.