WEBMASTER TRAINING MANUAL How to build a Dhamma Website
Follow the Teacher's Mandala
Share your merit with the Centre’s IT Devas and request their help.
Write down what you do for someone else to learn
1. Getting Ready:
Collect data (content), eg text, images (photos and graphics)
Make a plan, story board or flow chart (you can write it by hand)
2. How to start building:
Using Star Office (HTML WYSIWIG – most others editors are similar) Free to download from the web
Open the Star Office (desktop), then go to:
- file – new – open- html: you are now in editing mode. Enter data...save regularly
Then:
- file – open : you are now in preview mode (read only, to view how the site page will look on internet)
Go back to - editing mode - save - preview - , repeating until complete for uploading.
3. Inserting Text:
Type in text, or:
- insert – text (from existing file. The HTML editor will automatically convert text to HTML)
fonts: Times New Roman
font size: 12
Write in ESL suitable for a global audience
Add all document references
Keep to the Five Styles
Spell, grammar check and proofread document before loading
Keep layout clear and uncluttered with sufficient space
4. Inserting Images:
Bring cursor to the spot where you want the graphic inserted
Click on - insert – graphics – choose graphic from file - enter
Use jpg files only
You can make images come up (load) quickly by creating small files: (using the image editor)
Make a copy of the master photo file (do not manipulate the master)
To avoid multiple up loading bring the file size of images down before uploading by
– reducing pixels to a suitable size
– reducing dpi (dot per inches) to around 85% or lower
File sizes over 100 MB are too big. It is better to upload photos at 50 MB and preferably smaller.
Here are the instructions:
Go to Star Office:
file - new - image - create
file - open - open - image – what ever.jpg
modify - rotate (if necessary)
modify size - change percentage to scale (try to find right size, undo and repeat process if necessary until size looks right)
click OK
file -save as - give name.jpg
type 85 in box (not necessary to save at 100%)
click OK
To centre the photo in the page insert a table first, one column x 3 rows
insert – table – column x 1 – row x 3 – untick Options (header & border) - OK
Size the table width by holding and dragging with the cursor from the left then the right sides.
Insert graphic/photo in top row – type text in third row – leaving space between picture and text
5. Tables: (see 4. above)
insert – tables – choose number of rows and columns
make invisible or leave a border - enter
avoid frames
6. Preparing Backgrounds:
insert background color (usually white):
format – page – background
or with HTML: <BODY BGCOLOR="#ffffff"> (HTML tag for white background)
Do not leave background at 'no fill', as it may come up as ‘grey’ on some machines such as Apple Mac’s
7. Creating Hyperlinks:
insert – hyperlink:
highlight text, then go to
internet hyperlink, document hyperlink or FTP hyperlink
click open folder to insert correct path - enter
8. Inserting sound and video
insert – object – sound or video
sound: mp3 or mpeg files
video: can be movie file (Quicktime) and others
9. Filing
home page has to be called index.html
the other pages can be called anyname.html
no spaces, lower case letters, numbers are OK
folders only when necessary
it is crucial to keep all website files tidy!
delete any unnecessary files from the server as otherwise the pages which are no longer to be used will still come up if somebody searches with a search engine, and persons might load an out-of-date webpage that is no longer fully functional.
10. Navigation
make site visitor friendly
insert links, such as home: hyperlink back to index page (so that visitors do not get lost)
back to top: hyperlink to page where you are at (to limit scrolling)
11. Uploading
before uploading:
test whole website offline, check each individual link
spend as little time on servers as possible
html files have to be uploaded as well as the jpg files
whole websites can be uploaded in one go, folders can be uploaded (if server is capable of doing that)
after uploading:
check the website straight away, test all links, and see if all pictures come up
12. Uploading Checklist for Webmasters
Before Uploading:
1. check your webpage(s) offline with browser
2. are all links working?
3. are all images coming up?
4. is navigation appropriate (eg 'back to top', 'home)?
5. are the Meta tags correct?
6. is the <Title> name correct?
7. is the white background color specified in the <body> tag?
8. watch out for correct paths if working from another PC
9. make sure counter is still working if there is one
Uploading:
1. upload HTML file(s)
2. upload JPG file(s) (if graphics enclosed) as well
After Uploading:
1. check everything online with browser
2. may be necessary to refresh or reload (refresh button or hold down shift and refresh)
3. update the website backup
13. Setup an FTP program – Adding Other Servers
To copy files from a website, you will need to use CoffeeCup FTP.
13.1 setup a new folder for website you are working on (if not already setup) for example: bdcu.org.au to store files specific to this website.
WARNING: Do not download into a website folder, for example buddhamap, where working files are located, as CoffeeCup FTP will overwrite the file.
13.2 open CoffeeCup FTP, and click on the tool bar icon located 3rd from the left (with the green plus sign). The window ‘Add an FTP Server’ opens. below ‘Local’ on the left of the screen find and open the new folder you have created in My Document
13.3 Open CoffeeCup FTP, below ‘Local’ on the left of the screen find and open the new folder you have created in My Document
Using the arrow in the third window click on All files
Double click on the connect icon (top left in tool bar below File). A window titled Connect to a FTP Server opens. Click once on the
14. Backup
make frequent backups on floppies, zip disks, CD-Rom, hard drive
15. HTML code editing
this gives you a little more control of important details of the website
insert Title and META tags with code editor (important if website is to be found on the Internet with search engines)
obtain knowledge of basic HTML tags
1st Page2000 is good help with this
*see your website tutor to be taught more
16. Bookmarking Our Websites
The true importance of entering a name for the website in the HTML code in the Meta tag bit where it says <title>.
If people bookmark a website, this title will display on their bookmark! Also, it will be on a printout of the site.
17. ISP Server / Webhost
The ISP Should have a fast connection and reliable server that is not overloaded with traffic
enough MB to carry website no ads.
The ISP Server/Webhost for bdcu.org.au is OCHosting based in the US.
The ISP Server/Webhost for buyresolved.com.au and bddronline.net.au is Oznet1 based in Melbourne
The ISP Server/Webhost for bdcublessings.one.net.au is One-net based in Melb/Sydney
18. Domain Names
Register domain name to BDC(U)Ltd. or to John D. Hughes
18.1 Registering a .net.au domain
To setup the bddronline.net.au website you first need to register the domain name.
Regulations covering Australian domain names, such as net.au; com.au; and org.au, require that the domain name be directly derived from the applicant's name or trading name.
In order to be directly derived, the domain name must:
i) comprise only the letters, numerals or words which make up the applicant's name or trading name; and
ii) the letters, numerals or words must appear in the same consecutive order as they appear in the applicant's name or trading name; and
iii) the letters or numerals used, must be those which begin the words or numbers of the applicant's name or trading name;
e) commence with an alphabetic character;
f) be at least two characters long and contain only alphanumeric characters and hyphens; and
g) if only two characters long have a numeric second character.
Steps required to register bddronline.net.au, enabling set up of a dedicated BDDR website.
Register the ‘Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Online’ as a registered trading name of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., with Consumer and Business Affairs Victoria.
An application form can be downloaded and printed from the Victorian Government website at the Consumer and Business Affairs link.
The business name registration can be posted with a cheque for $70 (with a three week turnaround) or the registration can be completed in person at the Consumer and Business Affairs Office in Flinders St, Melbourne Australia.
Under domain name guidelines the name bddronline can then be used
Submit net.au registration online at
Details required include:
Company name
ACN
Business name
RBN (if applicable)
Trading name
ABN
Adress and contact details for billing
Supplied by ISP Host – Oznet1
NIC Handle
Admin contact
Technical contact
Primary Server Hostname
Primary Server IP Address
Secondary Server Hostname
Secondary Server IP Address
An auto response email confirms receipt of online domain name registration
If domain name is approved, a confirmation email will be sent to our stated email () within 4 to 5 days of registration.
The confirmation email will include an account for $138.50 for domain name registration, payable within 30 days.
On receipt of payment by Connect.com.au the domain name will be formally registered, and setup of website by us can be instigated with host – Oznet1.
By completing these three steps you will be able to setup with your host internet company such as Oznet1, with the website operating within seven business days.
19. Tools
currently being used:
HTML WYSIWIG editor (eg StarOffice) free, no license on it
HTML code editor (eg 1stPage2000) free, also suitable for business sites
FTP program (eg CoffeeCup (free) or Cute FTP (shareware)
Programs have to be compatible with the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. software, which is presently Windows based.
Back To Top Link
The Back to Top link is done as follows:
type - Back to Top - highlight
go to insert - hyperlink - type in path (for document)
or better - click the down arrow next to the box where your files will show up - then:
if you are in bsb50.html, for example, type or click in the link with the ending bsb50.html, THE SAME FILE WHERE YOU ARE AT that is
save
and that is that!
Browser Preview
The Browser Preview in StarOffice works as follows:
file - open - file name - whateverthenameis.html: The StarOffice Browser comes up giving you an exact Preview (no need to go to Internet Explorer!)
as opposed to file - new - open - whateverthenameis.html, which gets you into editing mode
you do not have to shut down the Preview each time,
just go back to editing mode via your bottom tool back,
and back to the Preview via your bottom tool bar as well, and click on reload on the top to see your latest version! Saves clicking!
HTML Tags
How to change those <P> tags into <BR> in one go!
With 1stPage2000: go to search - replace type in the exact tag or command you want to replace
type in what you want to replace it with - then click if you want to replace all or just click replace
if you click replace you will be asked each time - if you click replace all it goes in ONE GO
It works!
There is our 'automated text system'!
23. Counters
Currently used: site meter (free use) from www.sitemeter.com
How to setup the Site Meter.
In the box below is the regular version of the Site Meter HTML.
Example: <!--WEBBOT bot="HTMLMarkup" startspan ALT="Site Meter" --><ahref="http://sm6.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?site=sm6xxxxxxxxxxx"
target="_top"> <img src="http://sm6.sitemeter.com/meter.asp?site=sm6xxxxxxxxxxx" alt="Site Meter" border=0></a> <!--WEBBOT bot="HTMLMarkup" Endspan -->
24. Passwords
Passwords are detailed on a separate document for each webmaster.
25. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I do when a photo hasn’t come up on the site that I have just uploaded html and jpeg files onto?
Example 1: You inserted a file from a floppy disk A drive into to the html document:
Problem:
<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="file:///A|/bdculogo.jpg" NAME="Graphic1" ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=108 HEIGHT=109 BORDER=0><BR CLEAR=LEFT><BR></P>
Solution: check the html code in the file through 1st Page - delete
This example is correct: (because it does not refer to )
<P><IMG SRC="reclin05.jpg" NAME="Graphic6" ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=338 BORDER=0><BR CLEAR=LEFT><BR></P>
All you have to do is: go to First Page 2000 - search for file, for example - delete all - It should work then.
26. Tools
26. 1 Graphs & Charts
Star Office has a very good program for drawing all sorts of charts called Star Draw.
Click - file - new - drawing - to open the program.
26.2 Useful Links
For information on copyright:
U.S. site with learning material for e-commerce
StarOffice home page is worth visiting! A lot about e-commerce Go to
and then go to Star Office from there. Lots of great information about online business! Also
A paper from www.brint.com portal on knowledge management and eCommerce.
Webmasters never run out of things to do...
Through www.siteadd.com you can register onto the following search engines: Excite, Hotboot, Infoseek, Altavista, Go, Lycos, Webcrawler, Canada, WhatUSeek, NorthernLight, DirectHit, Google, Searchit, AllTheWeb and Magellan.
This Webmaster Training Manual was written and edited for our Teacher John D. Hughes, by Evelin halls and Julian Bamford, for the purpose of training our new webmasters.