Baywalk Web Development - About Baywalk - Frequently Asked Questions

About Baywalk - Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to do to get a website?

First, register your domain name. Your domain is the dot-com, dot-net, or dot-org (for non-profits) web address. You register your domain name with a registrar like GoDaddy. You may also call them at (480) 505-8877 and they can help you register your domain name over the phone.

Next, point your Domain Name Servers (DNS Servers) to point to our servers. If you are using GoDaddy, you may also call them at (480) 505-8877 and they can do it for you.

The DNS settings are:
ns1.baywalk.net and ns2.baywalk.net, or
ns1.baywalk2.net and ns2.baywalk2.net or
ns1.baywalk3.net and ns2.baywalk3.net.

Buy a Website. Then go to our Prices section and select a Website Package and a Required Web Hosting Plan. You may also select an Optional Web Maintenance Plan as well.

Start looking at other websites that you like and give us an idea of the look and feel you want. We start developing your site! - That's it!

What is web hosting? Why do I need it?
Adapted from Wikipedia.org:
Web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to provide their own websites accessible via the World Wide Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own (or lease) for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center.

From Us:
We pay monthly fees to lease servers from different telecom companies that provide Internet connectivity. We pro-rate that fee to each customer which is the individual web hosting and account service fee.

I have my own web host, why do I need to pay for web hosting?
If you have your own web host, it actually is more work for us. We have to make sure that server based scripts like page counters, email contact us forms, databases, and shopping carts work on your host. And if they don't work right, we have to spend time calling your host to make it work. Oftentimes your web host won't work with us, or just ignore our requests, which comes back to you. So we normally do not work on accounts where customers bring their own hosting for the benefit of both of us.

Some questions to ask your web host:

What kind of server are they running? If it isn't a Linux server, can we request one?
What is the path for Perl? (i.e. /usr/bin/perl)
What is the path to sendmail? (i.e. /usr/lib/sendmail)
What is the path to date? (i.e. /bin/date)
What is the absolute path of the site? (i.e. /home/sites/site99/web/)
Do you support both FTP access and SSH access?
Do you support SSI - Server Side Includes?
Do you have a shared cgi-bin directory with shared scripts? Does each site have their own as well?
How much space is available?
How much bandwidth is allocated?

For those case by case exceptions where we do use the client's existing web host, we still charge an account service fee (equal to the web hosting fee) because it's actually more work for us. Examples of where we do use client's hosts include you having custom e-mail which is already managed by your web host, or if your existing site attracts tons of spam or appears to be highly trafficked.

Click here for a dedicated page to What Is Web Hosting.

What is FTP? Do I need it?
FTP stands for "file transfer program." Yes, you need an FTP program to maintain your website. But you do not need it if we are maintaining your website.

FTP is one of the easiest ways to transfer files across the Internet. You transfer files to and from websites, like your own. Whether publishing a web page, downloading the latest digital images, software and music or transferring high-volume files between branch offices, FTP provides the tools you need to make your life on the Internet more enjoyable and productive.

For paid software that works on both Windows and Mac based computers, we recommend CuteFTP. CuteFTP has a built-in Connection Wizard that will walk you through connecting to an FTP site in seconds and its user-friendly interface will have you transferring files in no time, even if you are a beginner. Free trial software is available for downloading. Note: Mac users should download Cute FTP Mac Professional and not Cute FTP. www.cuteftp.com

A good free FTP program is FileZilla at filezilla-project.org.

For Macintosh computers, we also recommend Fetch. Fetch is an easy-to-use, full-featublue FTP client for the Apple Macintosh. Free trial software is available for downloading. www.fetchsoftworks.com

For FireFox browser users, there is a free basic FTP add-on called FireFTP. fireftp.mozdev.org

Do I need a graphics editing program?
Yes and no. If you want to only use the graphics we provide, then no. But if you would like to create custom graphics, then you will.

For Windows-based computers, we recommend Corel's Paint Shop Pro. Whether you're a professional or a novice, you're going to find just about everything you need from this graphics software package for less than $100. This time-tested package is not only powerful, but also extremely easy to use due to its very intuitive user interface. In Paint Shop Pro, there are photo editing, painting, illustration, and web design tools. www.corel.com

Google has a free picture editor with Picasa. Picasa allows you to locate and organize all the photos on your computer. Edit and add effects to your photos with a few simple clicks. Share your photos with others through email, prints, and on the web. picasa.google.com

Is there a recommended book to help us get started?
Yes. Teach Yourself HTML and XHTML in 24 Hours (7th Edition) by Dick Oliver and published by Sams.net is a great starter book.

Does the book have a companion website?
Yes. 24 Hour HTML Cafe at 24hourhtmlcafe.com has many lessons and tips. www.24hourhtmlcafe.com

What is Baywalk's mailing address and contact phone number?
Baywalk Web Development
Post Office Box 486
Sierra Madre, California 91025-0486
Telephone (626) 380-8300
Toll Free number available to clients
E-mail - Team Baywalk.

What happened to all the links on Baywalk.net?
links were moved to Big Zeus, BigZeus.com.

I love the sailing theme graphics on Baywalk. Who designed them?
Ann Stretton created the custom graphics on Baywalk. She has a wonderful selection of graphic environments available at her website: www.ann-s-thesia.com.

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