Post by marshall on Dec 24, 2014 9:10:10 GMT
Understanding directories
When creating other directories (folders) on the computer that contain other images or HTML files, it is important that you understand the directory structure of how the server will access other folders. Many times, users will mistakenly create a bad directory that allows the page to work offline but not on the Internet or from another computer.
When accessing files in other directories that are ahead of the current directory, first specify the directory and then the file name. For example, if you are trying to access or display the image file mypic.gif in the image folder, create the link as shown below.
image/mypic.gif
Notice in the above line that the directory is first specified and then the file.
Next, if you wanted to access the image file mypic.gif that is back one directory, you would want to use the example below.
../mypic.gif
In this example, notice the two dots (..) these tell the browser that you want to go back one directory. If you wanted to go back one directory and then into another directory you would first do ../ and then the directory as shown in the example below.
../other/mypic.gif
This rule can be applied to as many directories back as possible. For example, if you wanted to go back three directories and then go into the images directory, then you would use the example below.
../../../image/mypic.gif.
A common mistake with PC (Windows) users is that the HTML editor may specify the file to be located in the computer hard drive such as c:\mywebpage\image\mypic.gif. This will work fine on the computer hard drive (locally); however, when posted on the Internet, no one but the person with the file locally will be able to display the file.
Finally, remember when specifying the directory that you are using a forward slash (/) and not a backslash.
Case sensitive
It is important to remember that many of the Internet servers are utilizing Unix or a *nix variant. With Unix, file names are case sensitive. This means if you link to a file such as Mypage.htm and the file on the server is mypage.htm, the server will be unable to find it because of the capital M. We always recommend creating all web pages, images, and files in all lowercase.
Posting the website
Posting the website files to the Internet is one of the most complicated steps of setting up a website for most people. In order for the web page to be viewable by other users, the user must post his or her website on a server where it can be viewed by individuals on the Internet.
Because of the wide diversity of methods of posting a website, we will explain one of the most commonly used methods of posting your website.
Internet Service Providers and web hosting companies provide FTP (File Transfer Protocol) access that allows the users to copy files from your computer to the server. PC users have two possibilities; one is to use the FTP program included with Windows and the other recommend solution is to download an FTP program. Using one of these tools should enable the user to send his or her files, providing the server allows FTP access.
Once connected to the server locate the folder or directory that contains your web page. Usually this folder is public_html. If you are using Windows FTP, type cd public_html or type dir to see what the folder is named. Or open the folder through CUTEFTP or the FTP client program your are opening. Once in this folder, you can send your HTML files to the server to access them over the Internet. Windows FTP users to send your files, for example, type send index.htm.
We understand this can be a complicated process; however, your Internet Service Provider or Web Hosting company has instructions for posting your website and sometimes may even have a web based client, which allows the users to transfer their files using a website and not having to follow the above tedious commands. If following the above recommendations you are unable to post your website, we recommend that you review through your Internet Service provider or Web Hosting company documentation.