Learning FrontPage

What's involved in learning FrontPage? Do you need a (UK based) FrontPage training course, a tutorial or is there a better way for you to learn? Click on the questions below to find out more.

What is FrontPage?

	Who needs to learn FrontPage?
	How hard is FrontPage to learn?
	How long would it take to learn?
	Which Version of FrontPage should I learn?
	What else will I need to learn?
	How can I avoid learning FrontPage?
	How do I go about learning FrontPage?

What is FrontPage?

FrontPage is a tool for creating web sites that is suitable for use by non-technical people. It automates a number of tasks that have traditionally involved programming such as basic form validation and simple interfacing to data bases.

Who needs to learn FrontPage?

People who want to create or update web pages. It is suitable for people who do not want to become web specialists. Many web specialists also use FrontPage but from time to time find the need to use additional tools.

How hard is FrontPage to learn?

Much of FrontPage is on the same level as learning how to use a Word Processor. It helps if you already know Microsoft Word since many of the buttons and menu items are the same.

It is however quite a sophisticated product so there is a lot to learn if you want to make full use of it.

How long would it take to learn?

To Achieve?	Guideline number of days	Notes
To get started	1 day	You will be able to handle text, insert images and learn to manage the pages you are working on
To handle all the basic web site features	2 days	In the extra day you will learn more about multimedia, navigation aids, form handling, etc.
To really know the product well	3-4 days in total	Familiarity with the advanced features - inserting JavaScript, linking to Databases, and much more

Which version of FrontPage should I learn?

The current version is FrontPage 2000. It would make sense to learn this version unless there is a policy within your organisation to use FrontPage 98. It is relatively easy to swap to FrontPage 2000 later if you do start with 98.

Earlier versions of the product have a lot of key features missing so I would not recommend them.

What else will I need to learn?

You should be familiar with the world wide web or intranet web site(s) before you start creating your own.

If the Web server that you are using does not have FrontPage extensions* you will have to learn how to publish your pages. This could be entail any of the following

	emailing the final pages to a webmaster
	copying them to a specified directory somewhere in your organisation's network
	using FTP software to transfer them to a server over the Internet. Note that once you have set up the connection using the latest FTP software it is just a matter of identifying which files need to be published and where they are to be transferred to. Much like copying files from one directory to another on your machine.

How can I avoid learning FrontPage?

For simple pages you can stick with your word processor (provided it is not too old) and save the document in HTML format.

There are a number of other similar packages you could use.

Any other approach (such as learning HTML) is harder work.

How do I go about learning FrontPage?

How much help do you want?	Approach	Notes/Links
Do it yourself	Work it out by using the products help and by trial and error	Not recommended if you are new to web page development
With a bit of help	There are lots of books	Go to Amazon and search for FrontPage.
A lot of help	Attend a public course	Contact us or take a look at Training Pages
With help which is specific to your needs	Rent an expert	On site tailored training (for 1 or more) consultancy distance learning over phone or the Internet

* FrontPage extensions - in order to use all the features of FrontPage, such as form handling and searching, you need to have a server with FrontPage extensions installed. For the Internet Microsoft list the ISPs who provide FrontPage extensions - here is the list for the UK