Datasheet

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Chapter 1: Web Publishing Basics
Following a few simple rules helps make your personal Web site more fun and
less work:
 What’s on first? No, no. What’s on second . . . The upper part of your
Web page — the part that appears first when you bring the page up
on-screen — needs to make the main point of the site clear. If the main
point is “you,” the first thing people see should be your name, your
photo, and links to some of the things about “you” that are in your site.
If the point of your site is a topical interest, business interest, or
professional self-promotion, the first area of the home page should
make that clear, too.
 Keep it simple. Start with modest goals and get something up on the
Web; then create a “To Do” list of ways in which to extend your site.
Consider spinning off commercial and topical pages that reflect your
desires and interests — into separate sites by topic — rather than
creating a sprawling personal Web site.
 Provide lots of links. One of the best ways to share your interests is to
share information about Web sites that you like, as well as books and
other resources. You can put this list on your one and only Web page or
make it a separate page that’s part of a personal Web site. If you develop
a thorough, carefully updated list of links for a specific interest area, you
create a valuable resource for others.
Are personal Web sites still relevant?
Most of the activity you hear about on the Web
these days relates to large, commercial sites,
political sites, advanced technical sites, and
so on. Individuals are still contributing a great
deal of content but it’s through more special-
ized sites — photo sites, video sites, social-
networking sites, and so on. But these tend to
appeal to only some people rather than to
everyone.
Personal Web sites have gotten somewhat lost
in the shuffle as better-funded sites belonging
to companies and organizations get all the
attention. Never fear; personal Web sites are
still fun and easy to create. (And did I mention
that they’re fun?)
Part of what’s driving the continuing interest in
personal Web pages is that more and more
people all over the world have access to
the Web. (The Web passed 1 billion users
a few years ago, an important milestone.) The
chances are better than ever that a high
percentage of your friends, family, and
colleagues can visit and appreciate your site.
So don’t be put off by the tremendous growth of
business and large organizational sites on the
Web. The personal and fun side is growing, too;
it’s just getting less media attention than the
commercial side.
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