Installing software???

[Allison]

Bear with me folks, I realize this is probably a very elementary question.
But I've published my web site very easily with FrontPage and I think I'm
missing a major link in my mind regarding publishing web sites....

What is FTP? Is that what FrontPage is doing for me? I know it stands for
File Transfer Protocol (or something like that), but I am wanting to install
some other "stuff" to use on my web site and they say I have to install this
software or that. I don't know how to install software. Things are being
mentioned about downloading FileZilla, but I'd rather just use FrontPage if
I can.

What I'd like to do is start a blog. Can I install WordPress or something
like it using FrontPage?

Does anyone recommend any particular blog software? (I think that's what you
call it, software?)

Thanks for your help,
Allison
www.threesistersfabric.com

 

[David Berry]

FTP is a method of transferring files to a server. If your web host has the
FrontPage Server Extensions installed then you don't need FTP (and shouldn't
use it as it will corrupt the Extensions). Instead you'd open your site in
FrontPage and choose File, Publish Web and this will publish your site to
the remote server.

As for the other software, why do you need it? What other "stuff" do you
want to use on your site?

 

[Allison]

Thanks for clarifying the FTP thing. I've been publishing with FrontPage
all along, so I think that's why I never fully understood FTP.

The "stuff" I was referring are things like shopping carts and blogging
software. Can I install that with FrontPage?

Smiles,
Allison

 

[David Berry]

Yes. Depending on the software you get you may just need to import the
files into your web site to get them to work. Just follow the directions
for the software. You can also search the FrontPage Add-in site for
software that was especially made to work with FP.

http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/downloads/addin/default.asp

 

[Allison]

Thanks. I guess I will just dig in and get to work! There's nothing like
trial and error, eh?

Smiles,
Allison

 

[Andrew Murray]

Web applications (software) includes commmon applications such as

Shopping cart (eg www.candypress.com)
Content management systems (www.contentseed.com)
Discussion forums (www.yabb-forum.com).

and there's many others like calendar/schedule systems and basically
anything else you can think of, it can assumably be done.

All are examples above, there are many others for different host operating
systems - you need to choose one that is the correct one for your host's
systems. Your host might even offer something similar to the above.

 

[Allison]

Ok - so let's just say Candy Press is correct for my host. Then what? I am
Googling and trying to figure this out. Am I right in assuming that I will
download the application to my hard drive and then upload it to my server
somewhere? If that is the case, can I upload it with FrontPage? I've only
published with FrontPage, so I am quite ignorant on how to get anything
uploaded without it. (And from what David Berry said I will corrupt the FP
extenstions if I use anything else...)

Thanks for your help!
~Allison

 

[Allison]

And one more thing -

I am seriously thinking of using Word Press for a blog. They advise using
FileZilla to FTP. (I think I may be beginning to get some of my terminology
correct... bear with me) I don't want to corrupt my FP extensions. What do
you recommend?

~Allison

 

[David Berry]

Candy Press is an ASP Shopping Cart. All you need to do is download the zip
file to your hard drive, unzip the files then open FrontPage, create a
folder for them on your site, import them into your web and publish. There
shouldn't be any reason why you'd need to FTP them.

If it's something else you can use FTP if you're very careful. FP Corrupts
the server extensions if you FTP the hidden FrontPage folders (_vti,
_derived, _borders etc). As long as you ONLY FTP up the files and NOT any
folders then you'll be ok.

 

[David Berry]

As I mentioned in my other reply, you can FTP is needed just be very careful
to only upload the files and not any folder containing the special folders
used by the FrontPage Extensions. As far as FireZilla, any FTP program will
work. I use WS_FTP, others lick CuteFTP. I've never tried this one.

As for Word Press, what exactly do you need to FTP? You can get a blog at
http://wordpress.com/ If you want to incorporate it into your own domain
then your Web Host may need to set it up for you (you can do it yourself but
it may be easier if they do it). Which means they'd download it and install
it. http://wordpress.org/download/

 

[Ronx]

In addition, if you have a Perl or (perhaps - not sure) PHP cart and are
uploading to a Unix server, you will need an FTP client to CHMOD
(equivalent to change permissions) the files to make them run.
--
Ron Symonds - Microsoft MVP (FrontPage)
Reply only to group - emails will be deleted unread.
FrontPage Support: http://www.frontpagemvps.com/
http://www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp

 

[Allison]

Yea, I wanted it incorporated into my own domain. I think I'm beginning to
understand... and I'm pretty sure I can have my host install WordPress for
me.

Thanks for all your help. I think I'm getting a better understanding of
FTP, FP Extensions, and application installation. One day, I know I'll look
back at all this and wonder what my trouble was!!! Have a great day!

Smiles,
Allison