Hello from a newbie

[topolina]

Hi all,

I am new to the site and VERY new to website stuff! In fact, I have no experience whatsoever! But I was hoping to start a website in preparation for some travel plans. Any advice on where to start for someone as programming-illiterate as I am?

Thanks!

- topo

[BigAlReturns]

High topolina - welcome to the Developer Forums!
What sort of site are you wanting to make for your travel plans? I'd assume you wanted something where you can outline your plans, and then blog about your experiences. If so, then your best option is to use ready made software such as WordPress - which is a free, very well featured blogging application.
You really have 2 options as to what to do:
1) You could sign up to a blogging site like blogger or blogspot. This gives you your own blog ready installed, ready to go and totally free. The disadvantage is that you lose some of the functionality (probably not too much of an issue), and that you're limited to having the address http://yournamehere.blogspot.com
2) You could buy some cheap hosting, install WordPress on it yourself, and go from there. The advantages to this are that you can buy your own domain name - anything you like that isn't already taken - and you have complete freedom as to what you can do. The disadvantages would be the cost (~$4/month for cheap hosting, ~$10/year for a domain name), and having to set it up yourself. The setup process really isn't hard though, and there's plenty of people here to guide you through it.
So I'd have a think about those options and decide what you want to do - then we can offer you some more advice about how to achieve exactly what you want to do. Good Luck!

[topolina]

Hi BigAlReturns,

Thanks so much for your response! It's really important that I also be able to post pictures in addition to written updates throughout my travels. Would both the blogspot option and purchasing a domain allow me to do that? Would one be easier than the other? Also, I probably won't have the best internet access during my travels- I'll probably just have to rely on public computers in libraries, etc. Does that make a difference in terms of which website approach I choose?

Sorry for all the questions- I do appreciate the advice!

Thanks

- topo

[Ducani]

Hi topolina,
No, it wont matter which one you choose as posting will be as easy as logging in and typing your posts with images etc. If you dont want to go through the hassle of your own domain and hosting etc then the ....blogspot.com option would be better but if you plan to grow the site and would like to have it easily remembered by you and whoever will be viewing it then the second options will suit you more. Both of them will be fairly easy to use and updating it from anywhere with internet access will be simple.

[topolina]

Thanks so much Ducani! I'm going to try and start a blogspot.com site now... I'm sure I'll have more questions along the way

-topo

[ryanhellyer]

The impression I get from those who have used both WordPress.com and BlogSpot.com is that most prefer WordPress.com.

[topolina]

Thanks ryanhellyer. You were right- after doing some research on the two sites, I much prefer wordpress. Particularly how I can keep it private (I was worried about putting too much personal info on the net). And it just seems easier to use. Thanks so much!