INTRODUCTION

This manual is a step-by-step manual that will help you create a basic website for your nonprofit organization. The purpose of this manual is not to create flashy designs but to introduce you to a few options that you have for creating a basic yet very functional site for your organization. Do not underestimate what you can do with free software: your site will have a guestbook and a freedback form, and will also include images and other bells and whistles. Once you do the reading and follow the steps, you will be able to create the site you have always wanted. My advice to you is that you do not skip any sections or any of the readings, because every section introduces you to something new and important about designing and takes you a few steps closer to your aim.

While there are many advanced software programs in the market for web design, this manual does use such software because it is usually expensive. The software used here has been deliberately chosen because it is free and readily available to all. In addition, while there are many free 'hosting' places on the web, we have chosen one specific hosting company because of the ideal functions that it provides, besides the fact that it does not have any advertising on it. You may want to choose another hosting place once you get to that section, and I have provided other options.

Many of the documents are available in both Word format and html format to enable you to print them out and /or save them if you so choose.

Take your time as you go through the manual. Rushing through may not lead to the same results because you may miss some important information that could be crucial to your site. The estimated time for the completion of the manual is eight days. If you have questions or feel you are stuck with any section, please feel free to email us at info@virtualactivism.org

One request: if you do complete the manual and create a site using the guidelines and steps in this manual, please email us and let us know. We will showcase it on our site.

Enjoy.

Marlyn Tadros

FIRST

 Installing programs that we will need for this tutorial:

a- Installing Netscape: If you do not already have Netscape on your computer, you need to install it. To install Netscape click here . Please follow instructions after you click on it. Mostly, just keep saying 'yes' and 'ok'.

b- Installing the FTP program. [You could wait for this step until you reach Section 3 because we will not use this program until you have completed working on your site]
- Click here to download the program. You need the LE or Limited Edition version WS_FTP LE, because this is the free version for a single user.
- Click here to view tutorial on how to download the program.