A: The first thing to do is to read the Quick Start literature. It is indispensable for a first time user. The program, thereafter, is designed to not require extensive reference to the manuals and help systems. After you have installed the program run the Site Setup Wizard. Then set the default paragraph object styles in the setup menu. Lastly, depending upon what hosting systems you are using run the Setup Wizard.
Q: What is the relationship between how Internet Creator handles my web site information and how it is later viewed on the web?
A: Internet Creator is a forms-based product which allows you to simply type your information, which Internet Creator then deposits into a database. The main screen of Internet Creator uses an hierarchical tree to represent the structure of the data in your Web Site. The metaphor that we like to use is as follows:
The Website is akin to a book.
Each Website page is akin to the page of a book.
The contents of the Web page, which we call paragraphs, are akin to the contents of the page of the book.
The Home Page is akin to the cover or first page of the book.
Internet Creator displays the information as follows:
The whole hierarchical tree on the main screen is Website book..
From the very top level of the tree, the home page, lower level pages of the Website hang.
From each of the pages the paragraphs or page contents hangs.
Internet Creator allows you to drag and drop these paragraphs in any order you so desire.
Q: How do I preview my Website?
A: With the current release of Internet Creator you will require a Web browser from a third party to preview your output. Common browsers include Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Explorer, and a whole host of others.
Q: How do I get technical support?
A: Underneath the Help menu of Internet Creator there is a submenu called Technical Support. Refer to that box for the latest information on technical support telephone numbers, email addresses, fax numbers, and hours.
Q: Now that I have built a Website how does the rest of the world get to see it?
A: You will need to establish a relationship with a "hosting service" to where you can upload your Website. Contact Forman Interactive Sales department for further information.
Q: When I use different Web browsers my Website looks different. Why?
A: Websites are built using a programming language called HTML (hypertext markup language). Effectively what this does is send instructions to the Web browser how the information should be displayed. Unfortunately, there is not unanimous agreement on HTML standards and different browsers frequently display the same information in very different ways! Some of the online services such as America Online, CompuServe and Prodigy, at the current time, use very different Web browsers.
Q: I notice in the program, especially in the Server Setup Wizard, that there are features, namely CGI scripts, which are not supported by my "Hosting Service". Why?
A: Forman Interactive has built nothing into Internet Creator which makes it less usable by a third party hosting service. But inasmuch as Forman Interactive does not, and cannot, control what hardware, operating systems, and Web Server Software that other hosting services use, it has built into this program certain advanced features which take advantage of its own hosting service.
Examples of these advanced features include email processing, transactional shopping basket systems, and advanced search engines.
Q: Who is Forman Interactive Corp.?
A: Forman Interactive was founded by Peter Forman who had developed the world's first multilevel, website generating program. Today it is a full service software development and hosting services company.
Q: There are some other things I want to do with my Website that Internet Creator does not support. How do I do it?
A: If you are a "computer type" and either know or want to try your hand at HTML, Internet Creator allows you to "freeze" pages for hand modification. Please see the reference systems for additional information.
Q: Where do I go from here?
A: Don't be afraid to create a Website. Hit the "Generate HTML" button and check out your work. Remember, Internet Creator comes WITH erasers. Good luck and look we forward to hearing from you.
