Tools
 
If you've got an idea that would make a brilliant addition to the Black and Asian History Map, but you don't know how to build a website, don't despair. It's easy. You don't need to buy fancy software, register expensive domain names, or know HTML (hypertext mark-up language - the code that controls the layout and appearance of web pages). However, you do need a tool for building websites and a host for your site - an internet service provider (ISP).
 
Some ISPs offer complete packages from building to publishing - see Tutorials. Otherwise you can use one of the free building tools available on the web and listed below.
 
Some website building tools, including all of those listed, incorporate file transfer protocol (FTP) software, which enables you to upload your site - that is, send it to your ISP. Otherwise you can use separate FTP software (see Resources). Most of these packages are straightforward.
 
To help get you started, Black History Map has commissioned a specially created site template. This design package consists of a template HTML file, images and other useful files. The site can be downloaded in either zip or sit format.
 
Once you've created your site you can use other free software to add special features such as guestbooks, chatrooms, messageboards and even moving images (see Resources).
 
Free web building tools available online include:
 
CoffeeCup
www.coffeecup.com
Very easy to use. Choose from seven templates and 60 web themes or create your own. You can insert links and metatags (so your site will get noticed by search engines), and there's even a Form Mail that allows site visitors to send you information. CoffeeCup has one-button FTP upload and graphical online help. Version 5.0 is freeware.
 
Homestead
www.homestead.com
Simple and fast, Homestead SiteBuilder is a drag-and-drop tool for making good-looking websites. You can easily add graphics, import photos, or include a guestbook or chatroom. This version SiteMover for uploading a whole site created in another program, and the use of an HTML editor to maintain your site.
 
Cool Page
www.3dize.com
A WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) design tool, based on drag-and-drop, one-click publishing, compatible with Netscape, Internet Explorer, and the AOL browser. You can export your page to HTML for publishing or to a corporate intranet, or import into other web editors. Cool Page has unlimited undo and redo capabilities, allowing you to change your mind at any point in the design process.
 
Arachnophilia
www.arachnoid.com/arachnophilia
The successor to WebThing, a popular HTML editor, contains user-defined templates and supports up to six web browsers. It also supports CGI, frames, Perl, C++, Java, and JavaScript development. Arachnophilia also has built-in tutorials on HTML development, JavaScript, frames, and the internet.
 
1st Page 2000 2.0
www.evrsoft.com
For the more advanced builder, this tool comes with an impressive interface and a good selection of the sort of classy features you'd expect from the top-name HTML editors. There is an extensive step-by-step web design guide to help you get through 450 JavaScripts, 15 DHTML scripts, 17 Perl scripts, 6 HTML scripts and 2 CGI scripts! It also includes LiveSpell (checks spelling as you type, yippee!), Flash/Shockwave support, DHTML layers, ASP, SSI, CFML, WebTV tags/colour-coding, TidyHTML, XML converter, support for up to four external browsers, real-time split-screen page previewing, changeable toolbar and keyboard shortcuts, and much much more. Phew!
 
AceHTML Freeware
www.visicommedia.com
Formerly AceExpert, this is a free HTML Editor with plenty of features including lots of shortcuts for frames, tables and forms to simplify HTML coding. Custom Buttons and Code Templates automate repetitive tasks, keeping down the risk of RSI. It includes a powerful integrated Style Sheet Editor for adding CSS2 styles to websites. A Syntax Checker ensures the validity of HTML code. Support for XML, Perl and WML documents is provided. Extended Replace lets you make modifications throughout your website in a single operation. Image Browse is used to browse the images of an entire directory and easily insert them into web pages. You an also add interactivity to your site with more than 100 predefined DHTML and Java scripts.