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A WDS MiniWebsite Tutorial
Building a Website Using Open Source Software
© August/October 2007, revised April 2008 - Carl Weisbrod, PhD
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This tutorial will lead you through one process of downloading an HTML Editor, and from there you can teach yourself basic webmastering skills. I realize these screen-shots are difficult to see, but you'll soon be looking at the real thing. KompoZer is the latest incarnation of the first WYSIWYG/HTML Editor. Earlier versions went under the names of Netscape Gold, Netscape Composer, Mozilla Composer, and Nvu. Within every edition beats the heart of the original Netscape program.
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The images below are actually links to fully-functional HTML webpages. Your "back button" should bring you back to this tutorial.
Box #1 - Click the #1 image (starting left) to find out if you're ready for an internet business?
Box #2 - The KompoZer download page--a canvas for your creativity. Click the image to get started.
Box #3 - is an example of the basic website-building tools and a folder where "local" files are stored.
The KompoZer HTML Editor
Download WebPage
Box #4:  This is an open source HTML Editor. After you download KompoZer, the logo will arrive on your desk top. In this case, Box #3 shows Nvu, an earlier version--both are nearly identical. Once you have either one, you're ready to go to work. This screen shot links to an official Nvu tutorial, which also applies to KompoZer. You will find unlimited help if you type KompoZer Tutorial into Google.
Box #5: IrfanView: This will download an open source (free) version of a basic graphics program.
Box #6: FileZilla: ...an open source FTP program used to transfer local files to you WebHost.
Box #7: This suggests a basic weblog format. The background color choices and layout are left entirely to your creativity. If you'd rather leave it in the hands of an web designer consider starting with a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) system. First, however, I suggest you develop the skill of using tables for your webpages. When you open the sample page (by clicking in Box #7), open the source code (View => Source Code) for an idea of the incredible work KompoZer will do for you.
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 Box #8 & 9: The goal of this tutorial is to move you along until you can upload your website to a WebHost. I'll be adding these remaining screen shots ASAP. For additional help, scroll to the bottom of this webpage.
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Box #3 - You're looking at the basic website-building tools and a few sample files. This is the storage of local website files. You may recognize the Nvu logo and the Firefox browser logo at the top. The strange red logo is an excellent open source graphics program--the download link is Box #5. The screen shots in this MiniTutorial were cropped, re-sized, and enhanced in IrfanView. Box #6 is the link to a FTP program used to upload you files to a WebHost. Both Nvu and KompoZer have a built in publishing program, but I prefer using a separate program.


If you run into what seems to be an insurmountable block while using these compressed instructions, I'm available on a consultation basis for advanced support--don't, however, give up without a fight. After you've spent a day or two attempting to work through a glitch, 
This link will take you back to the WDS Library Catalog: >click<
and this link, back to my WDS Library home page >click<