Web Page Guide

Roadkill on the Information Superhighway.

- Anonymous

So you've done all this work, and now you're ready to publish it.  How do you do that?

Well, first you need the space.  For that, you contact the Department of Distance and Virtual Learning, or put in a request through your department.  Chances are you will be given space on the virtual server (virtual.parkland.edu) with what's called "FTP" access.

A moment to define terms: "FTP" stands for "file transfer protocol," and is basically a means of moving files (such as web pages) from one place (such as your computer) to another (such as the server).  Moving files from a personal computer to a server is called "uploading."  Moving files from a server to a personal computer is called "downloading."

Once you have gotten your space, you will need to upload your web pages.  Please note that anything you load into that space is theoretically accessible on the web.  It is true that if a person does not know the URL, it is unlikely that they will find it, but it's also true that search engines are increasingly sophisticated, and computer geeks even more so.

(Special side note: as far as I have been able to discern, pages on Parkland's virtual server do not show up on most search engines.  This is both a benefit and a hindrance.  It is a benefit in that random strangers will not stumble across your class pages.  It is a hindrance in that students who forget the address cannot search for the page).

So, how do you upload your pages?  Well, that's a little tricky.  Honestly, the single easiest way is to use an FTP program.  I myself like WS FTP, and the scaled-down version is available to educators for free.  It's a fairly easy program to learn and use, but we don't really have time here to spend learning it.

So we're going explore a slightly less efficient but more transparent way to upload files using Windows Explorer.

(Special note the second: clearly you will not be able to do this portion until you have secured your space).

First you have to open Windows Explorer.  This can usually be found on the Start menu under "Program Files," sometimes under "accessories."  If all else fails, move the mouse arrow over the start button, then click the right mouse button and select "explore."

Once the program is open, look for the "Address" box.  In that, you will type: 

ftp://yourlogin@virtual.parkland.edu

(Obviously, you will substitute the login you are given for yourlogin.  If you're not clear, this is the last part of the web address).

You will be prompted for your password.  Enter it.

(Special note the third: every once in a while, for reasons known only to Bill Gates, I get a server error the first time I try this.  The second time always seems to work).

This should open your file space.

To upload files, what you will first want to do is open another Windows Explorer window, and find the folder which contains your web page files.  From there, all you need to do is select the files you wish to upload, and click on "Edit; Copy."  Return to the window that has your file space, and click on "Edit;Paste."  Please remember that you have to select all files, including images.

(Special note the fourth: if you are doing this from home on a dial-up connection, this process can be veeerrrryyyy sloooooowwww).

The URL for any given web page in your space will be

http://virtual.parkland.edu/yourlogin/filename.htm (or .html).  

There is one exception to this, which we'll get to in a second.

Directories and Index Files

One of the ways that people keep their web space organized is through the creation of directories.  If, for example, I am teaching both an ENG101 and an ENG102 class, I might create folders in my file space called "eng101" and "eng102."  An individual page in the "eng101" folder would then have the address http://virtual.parkland.edu/rbusker/eng101/filename.htm. 

This lets me keep things sorted, and also allows me to keep individual file names shorter - that is, rather having to name a file "eng099010schedule.htm,"  I can simply name it "schedule.htm."

As I've mentioned before, there is one exception to the http://virtual.parkland.edu/yourlogin/filename.htm  address.  That exception is the "index" file.

Every directory, including your main one, should have something called an "index" page - that is, a page named "index.htm" (or .html).  This web page serves as the main page of the directory.  

When someone types in "http://virtual.parkland.edu/yourlogin" with no file name, what they are actually accessing is a page that is named "index.htm" (or .html).  You will want to have one of these for every directory.  As a design note, it is helpful to have this page be an introduction which links to any important page in the directory.  That way, if at any point a reader gets "lost" in the site, they can erase the filename and return to the beginning.

Class Web Page Notes

• As I have mentioned, I find directories very helpful when dealing with multiple classes.  I have in the past kept everything in the main directory and tried to keep it all straight through file names, and it quickly turns into a logistical nightmare.  Also, directories allow you to keep material from past courses available, which can be very helpful.
• I also find it helpful to have a main index page from which students can access class pages.  That way, even if they can't get the URL to their own class, they can at least go to my page and find it from there.  This also serves as possible resource for other instructors or administrators.