WebSite Version 1.1

COMPUTER SOFTWARE REVIEW  

572 words

Title: WebSite Version 1.1; O'Reilly & Associates Inc.; 
Manual in Paperback, ISBN: 1-56592-173-9, 494 pages, 
1996; Program and Manual Price: US$499.00 CAN$599.00

Reviewers: A.T. Connellan, and Mark Grant, "Now every 
man/woman can take charge, thanks to O'Reilly's 
follow-the-bouncing-ball WebSite Version 1.1." 

A web site for every man/woman

Those who have entered the World Wide Web via a page 
on their Internet server are astounded by its power as 
a marketing platform. On the WWW all businesses 
compete on a level playing field. 

For some the only frustration may be in a counterproductive 
address. Entering the awkward; 
http://www.swellserve.com/subbasement/~index/idon't_know.html, 
can discourage many an eager potential customer. 

Combine this with the problems created by the current 
amalgamation craze and the maneuvering of, 
Cable, and other interests as they attempt to "move 
and shake" their way to a position for dominance 
in the cyberplace.  

Too many of us are being lost in the shuffle as domain 
names, monthly charges, and terms of service are 
arbitrarily altered. What can the little guy do? Well, why 
not take charge? Become a server! 

When WebSite 1.0 hit the marketplace a year ago 
it represented a price breakthrough. At US$499 
it quickly became a best seller, and things changed 
dramatically. Now with the introduction of WebSite 
Version 1.1, a good thing just became one heck 
of a lot better. Operating safely behind an 
unchangeable, simplified, domain name, 
http://www.little_guy.com is now in control. 

"Building Your Own WebSite," by Susan B. Peck 
and Stephen Warrants, is the 494-page manual 
that augments WebSite 1.1's substantial on line help 
and makes installation almost child's play. Using 
the one page  checklist of required configuration 
information, and guided by an install wizard, 
WebSite 1.1 loads in under 10 minutes. 
                     
The program runs equally well in Windows 95 or NT3.5 
or higher, on either a dedicated or shared work station.  
On Windows NT, the program offers an additional 
level of security by running as a system service, allowing 
the program to start up without a user logged on. 

Putting web pages into a simple directory, and then 
running the program makes them accessible to the web 
world. The use of Windows 95 or NT also means that 
site authors can have multiple programs running, 
local networking and Internet access, and 
most importantly, long file names.  

Creating and maintaining pages is raided by several 
innovative programs. The web index builds a searchable 
list of every word on the site. Image map editor presents 
a simple way to add interactive graphics to the site, and 
using Visual Basic to create interactive forms allows the 
to enter data, ask questions, or send responses. 
The advanced Perl language allows the little guy to 
process data retrieved or to perform maintenance scripts. 

Collectively, the use of these tools and others included 
in the package, or those available from the O'Reilly 
WebSite, gives the little guy a straightforward method 
to design, produce, and maintain web pages that will 
create a powerful impact in the cybermarket. 

O'Reilly and Associates Inc. has built a solid reputation 
with their line of  books, and WebSite 1.1 continues 
the tradition with software. When our installation disks 
arrived damaged, ORA's excellent customer service 
not only returned our telephone call, but also allowed us 
of down load the original software instantly, and 
without charge. 

Later, when another problem arose, once again they 
jumped to produce the solution. Microsoft 
could take lessons from this group. 

Look out world, here comes the little guy!