Wanting to build a website (language advise needed)

[PowerUp]

Hi, I'm a newbie on building websites. I have never learnt HTML or any programming languages. I want to set up a website to provide free financial advice.

1) Any good websites/guides for me to read?
2) Which language should I use to develop my site? And when I get a webshost, should I go for Windows or Linux etc?
3) Is there any place that I can get good customizable website templates for free?

Thank you.

[mack]

I strongly recommend you at least learn the basics of HTML and CSS. Essentially these are the building blocks of the web and it will help you out greatly if you have a good overall understanding of them.

If your site is fairly small then you may want to stick with plain HTML pages. If you are looking towards a larger site with hundreds of pages then you may want to look into using a CMS (content management system) These systems allow you to manage your site using nothing but a browser. They can greatly speed up site development.

Mack.

[Caran]

Mack,

If you can, do you have any advice on a type of course to take cover these basic elements.

Everything I've seen seems either to basic or to advanced. It appears to be that or teach yourself, which I don't mind but do prefer some guidance.

Thanks Caran.

[mack]

I think the best thing you can do at the start is read up on the basics then try to put what you learn into practice. The HTML forums on WebmasterWorld should be able to point you in the right direction.

What I did in my early days was to buy a book, the great thing about learning from a book is everything has been written by the same person, so things are all done in a similar way, as opposed to changing ideas or ways of doing things as you learn.

Mack.