New to HTML

How do I transfer WYSIWYG template web site design into Dreamweaver HTML

[shilyard]

I am new to web design and built my site using Network Solutions as my host. They offer templates for the novice and it was a good solution for me as I had zero experience. I was able to have control as to the content and editing when I wanted to work on it. Now I want even more control & learn the complex world of HTML so I purchased Dreamweaver 2004. I am completely lost as I do not know how to get the HTML from my current site since it is built in a WYSIWYG format. The code must be somewhere. How do I get it. Do I need to start from scratch with DW or is there a way to preserve some of my content? This subject may have been covered before but I do not have the time to search for a similar previous posting. Can someone help me? If so, I would like it in terminology for the beginner please. This is fairly overwhelming for the first timer, especially one who is middle aged. I am very short on time as I am running a B&B by myself. Thanks in advance to anyone who sympathizes.

[martinibuster]

The best way:
If you have ftp access to you can ftp into the website and download the whole thing into a folder on your desktop. Search your hosting faq regarding ftp access.

The kludgy sloppy "you shouldn't have to do it like this" worst way:
Using your browser, visit your website and use the "Save" feature. Save it to a folder within another folder on your desktop, i.e. "websites>mywebsite."

Then define the site within dreamweaver (site>new site) and afterword open it up.

[shilyard]

Dear Martinibuster -

This I am sure sounds dumb, what is ftp? I looked in the FAQ's of the host site and did not see anything pertaining to this. Not knowing what it stands for though could be a drawback. Thanks for replying so fast. See, I really am lost. Feel like a foreigner for sure.

shilyard

[thehittmann]

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol

it is a method of transfering files from one pc (yours) to your web hosts pc (server)

If you cannot acess FTP you can visit the pages and "save as" as mentioned.

[thehittmann]

you can do this without visiting the sites aswell

open up notepad and type

<a href="linktoyourpage.html">link1</a>
<a href="linktoyourpage.html">link2</a>
<a href="linktoyourpage.html">link3</a>

Do this for each page you want.
Then save this file as a .html instead of a txt file
then all you need to do is open this file right click each link and "save as"

[pathak]

Make a fresh new folder for your site in a suitable location. Then configure Dreemweaver. For help visit the url:

[macromedia.com...]

Download the entire site from the remote folder by selecting all the files & folders and then click GET.

Now you can work on it locally.

[traffik daddy]

Shilyard,

If you can find out the name of your page then simply either run a search on your system or do as the others have said and access your site through your browser and save the page as example.htm. Another solution is to right click on your page(s) and select the option 'view source'. This will give you your code in a Notepad format. Just simply copy/paste it into Dreamweaver and Dreamweaver will save it automatically as a html page.

You are definatley really lost if you do not know what FTP is and how it works. FTP, as stated, stands for File Transfer Protocol and is the way to upload all of your completed web pages to your hosting site. You are using FTP every time you download something as you are transferring files from one source to another.

As for HTML, go to Google and type in "htmlgoodies" (all one word) and visit the top site. This site is a great starting block for all newbies to HTML coding and it also has other advanced features. Do not skip any of the lessons though or you will see yourself going in circles.

Regarding Dreamweaver, it all depends on what type of WYSIWYG html editor you were using from first. You may find that Dreamweaver will show errors, or tags that are not supposed to be there. If you really fancy Dreamweaver then try purchasing the Dreamweaver Bible, but be warned, its not a small document and requires some eye stinging reading to get through it all - but its all worth it in the end.

Good luck
Terry

[shilyard]

To all who have responded to my inquiry. Thank you. I contacted the web host and they do not off FTP access. Their protection I suppose. Anyway, I will just go to the source in the browser from my homepage and do it the way it is suggested. I am planning on taking an adult ed class for Dreamweaver in February. I need it. I often feel I am driving while blindfolded. Not very sensible or safe. Thanks again for the help and great advice!

[robert adams]

If you just view source and copy the text, you won't get the images on your pages. You could pull up the page in your browser, go to: file/save as and save it to your machine. It normally will save all the images also.

there is a free program named httrack that will download a complete website to your machine

luck,
robert