Making Web Pages, 1: Getting Started

Introduction

Each engineering account comes with a special folder in the home directory (H: drive) called public_html. This folder has been set so that everyone can read it without the rest of your account being exposed. All files and folders in public_html are set as read only when they are published. If you have problems with your web site, please contact the webmaster.

This setup process changes file permissions, which permit other people to look at your file.

Files

A web site starts with a web page named index_html. This page is what appears when people type in your web site URL (http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/~loginID). Any web page, including this one, is simply a text file filled with HTML commands.

When accounts are created, the public_html directory has permissions set so that everyone can read the files you store there. If you change permissions or your web pages are not viewable by others, you can reset the security on that directory to Read & Execute for Everyone. Open My Computer, select the H: drive, and right click on the public_html folder. Select Properties. Choose the Security tab, and highlight Everyone. In the Allow column, select Read & Execute. List Folder Contents and Read are automatically selected as well. Then click OK.

This setting gives web browsers access to all files and directories in public_html. If you want certain files or directories to be hidden, follow the directions above, starting by right clicking the file/directory and selecting Properties. On the Security tab, highlight Everyone, and uncheck the permissions listed in the Allow column.

If the file or directory is not web viewable as expected, please see the consultant, 1253 SC, 335-5055.

Even though there is nothing on your newly created page, you (and the world) can see it at the URL: http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/~loginid

Go on to step 2 to learn how create your web pages or step 3, guidelines.

updated: 10 February 2009