I have no idea where to start....

[Lillian521]

First and foremost I should say that I'm trying to create a blogging website...

I've been trying to do this for the last two weeks and read tutorial upon tutorial as to how to install different programs like wordpress, etc...onto my FutureQuest site...however, I can't seem to figure it out. I've gotten all tied up in between how to transfer files and learning the web-lingo. I've downloaded an FTP program, thought I transfered the wordpress files, but now I'm not sure.

Is there anyone who would be willing to give me a step by step on how to do this? Or link me to something that will help me get this done? I'm desperate, and since this is my first time trying to create a website, i'm having a hard time. Anything that would make this easy would be great. Or does anyone know of someone/a site that I could just pay to do this for me?

Thanks so much.

[hobbes]

Have you considered using a free blogging service such as blogger.com? It's not just a matter of installing the software, but also keeping it patched.

[Lillian521]

I have...I just wanted an official .com for my friends and I. It's going to be more of a community blog, where the four of us can come and post our writing and photography. We all have our own separate blogs on livejournal.com. I wanted something a little more personalized than a google blog page, is all.

[Jeff]

You can use google's blogger to publish to your own domain, and it's pretty easy to skin it however you want.

But if you want to install your own software to customize, because it's better for your needs, etc, there are usually good instructions that come with each software. Does the specific software have a web based installer? Most are pretty easy now.

First activate mysql on your account and choose a database to use. Personally, I like to keep one software per database so I don't have to worry about any overlaps. Then see the individual software install instructions as to whether you edit a config file to enter your mysql username/password/database name before uploading or run a web installer directly. Post any specific problems you run into and people can help you.

Remember hobbes advice above as you choose the software to run; one problem with dynamic web based content is that common scripts are quite complicated now and require permissions to run that are sufficient that evil people / spammers / etc. are always searching for a flaw. Because of the commonality of widely-used scripts, as soon as a flaw is released into the wild the hordes of evil doers start scanning for anyone that hasn't updated to patch the exploitable flaw. The burden this places on you is that you not only have to be continuously aware of updates and apply them ASAP to any software you use, but you also have to choose software and add-ons wisely so that future patches (or the lack thereof) don't put your long-term content at risk or require vast amounts of work to retain functionality throughout future patches for the software you've chosen.

[Bob]

Hello,

I would have to recommend creating a Blogger account and then you can incorporate it into your own site and actually it will publish directly to your site.

The number one reason would be to avoid the headaches of managing comment spam and alleviating the need to stay current with patches and upgrades.

When you create a new blog with Google you can set your own FTP information,
http://help.blogger.com/bin/topic.py?topic=12460
http://www.ehow.com/how_2065365_publish-blogger-blog-website.html.

If your site is to be primarily, at least for now, the Blog then you would have it published to your /www directory.

I believe I know what account this is in regards to and if so you do need to get your domain pointed to the FutureQuest name servers first.
http://www.FutureQuest.net/Services/Transfer/

Then create the Blogger account and use the FTP information from your Activation Letter to get it setup.

Take things step by step and post any problems here and I am sure someone will be happy to try and help.

-Bob

Pssst..... http://www.FutureQuest.net/Community/SiteOwner/

[Lillian521]

thanks to both of you...i'll look into using my domain with blogger.