iWeb- making a web site for work

James Z · Apr 19th, 2006, 07:21 PM

At my works last union meeting members were complaining about not having a web site to access imformation for themselves.It was brought up that maybe a web site would be a great idea.I have been thinking about it and have looked at iWeb wondering if it would be sufficient and easy enough for me to do a monthy information site and be able to make links to have somewhat of an archive for our members to look at.Does any one have any comments from experience using iWeb if this would be easy enough to do with no prior experience?They are willing to pay for iLife 06 and then a yearly membership to .mac to run the site from using iWeb.Any comments or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks James

Macified · Apr 19th, 2006, 07:47 PM

iWeb makes some pretty sites but I think you will find them to be quite limiting. You might want to consider running a site similiar to ehMac. Most web hosts include some sort of software (on the server end) and the learning curve is fairly smooth. Usually the use of the software is free as long as you don't mind the generic logos and such. I don't know if it would be free for a group such as a union. It should be fairly low cost to get a web name (for your url) and set yourself up with a web hosting company. Site setup isn't that hard (I have two personal sites that were really easy to set up) and any local designer can set you up with some images for icons and logos.

Some advantages to this route are that it is very easy to update (meeting minutes, etc.) and you can have multiple people responsible for various site areas/updates. Members can have a forum for further discussion, etc.

Good luck.

James Z · Apr 20th, 2006, 01:19 AM

Cost is a factor, and being that if iWeb could do the trick and only having to pay for the .mac membership each year makes alot more sense from a money point of view.As well we our only around 50 members for our local.

guytoronto · Apr 20th, 2006, 08:06 AM

Short-term savings = long-term costs.

Try to make a functional, interactive, easily-updatable website with iWeb and .Mac is a bad idea.

Get a real host, one that supports PHP and MySQL ( I use servage.net ), cruise php.resourceindex.com for a ton of useful scripts and tools, pick up a book on CSS and PHP, and you will be on your way.

A good website definitely isn't an overnight thing.

Pelao · Apr 20th, 2006, 08:16 AM

Sounds to me like you simply want an informational site: latest info, records of meetings, maybe some photographs etc regarding social activities, useful links related to the union.

There is no question at all that iWeb and .Mac can do this for you.

My suggestion though, would be to look slightly ahead. What if you leave? What if it proves useful and you need to expand?

Get Rapidweaver - about $45, and it will provide the ease of use of iWeb, including functioanlity with iPhoto etc, and much more besides. If you want to skip this cost, then use the software that the host service provides for building sites.

Then get some hosting space and a domain name related to the Union: not at all expensive and if you search here on ehMac you will find lots ofcomments on good hosting.

The total cost will be similar, but there will be more flexibility into the future.

For the stated requirements you do not even need any books etc - they are likely to complicate things. It really is simple.

Macified · Apr 20th, 2006, 09:07 AM

If cost is a factor, stay away from .Mac and iWeb. My webhost costs $35 per year Canadian vs. .Mac at $100. The software for a BBS is included (no extra charge) and I get a real url.

guytoronto · Apr 20th, 2006, 02:45 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Pelao
	Sounds to me like you simply want an informational site: latest info, records of meetings, maybe some photographs etc regarding social activities, useful links related to the union. There is no question at all that iWeb and .Mac can do this for you.

I would question it.

.Mac = $100 / year
godaddy.com = $ $50 / year

.Mac = forums / groups (stuck with Apple's system)
godaddy.com = forums + flexibility to implement your own system

.Mac = no PHP / no MySQL support
godaddy.com = PHP + MySQL support

.Mac = up to 10 e-mail aliases
godaddy.com = up to 500 e-mail accounts

.Mac = no vanity website - stuck with web.mac.com/yoursite
godaddy.com = www.yoursite.com

iWeb would work for both.

Pelao · Apr 20th, 2006, 04:29 PM

I am not sure I get your point. I agreed it's not the best way, but it can be done, it works, and it's very simple to use. I certainly agree that there are better ways to achieve what is needed, but the stated requirement was to share some information. iWeb and .Mac can do that, thats a fact. Lots of people use them for that right now.

I would not choose it, but for simple information sharing it's a valid, and working, option.

James Z · Apr 20th, 2006, 04:45 PM

Simple is all they want, it will only be updated following union meetings which are only 4-5 times a year and any other updates to contracts or greivances and such.

Thanks for the input so far, I do understand that other options might be more effective or offer more options, but for them to get a web site done and maintained by someone outside would cost them alot of money.My offer was if iWeb could work it could be effective enough and keep cost down to a one time .mac membership following.I'm not so comfortable nor have the time to get into anything else.

Pylonman · Apr 20th, 2006, 06:24 PM

It's funny. I was jus puttering around with iWeb yesterday for my wife's company blog. I found quite easy to use and I could just drag and drop pics from iPhoto.
IMO iWeb on a .mac account would be ideal for a non-html dude, who wants a fast, basic and nice looking site. (You could also use the iDisk to back the site root folder and company minutes up on.)

Maybe while the site is up running, you can look into other alternatives for hosting, domain names and such. The great thing about iWeb is that you can use your .mac or a cheaper monthly hosting service. (I found a host for my sister's Europe trip site called 1 and 1. They have a plan for $2.95 US per month and it includes a program like iWeb for setting up a site.) I suggest you create and register a domain name for your planned site, such as, www.local345.ca and "point" it at your .mac account. Check this link http://homepage.mac.com/cherrypop/ib...7/E1963581976/

For me, I've just cancelled my hosting with a local host. The main reason was to keep costs down and bring it in-house. My site doesn't generate a lot of traffic and it's more of a hobby. Also, since I have the space on my iDisk and I have a yearly membership .mac account.