TIP 14: Creating New Sites

Start the GoLive Site Wizard by selecting File > New… and you'll see a dialog box that lets you create many types of documents, including a new site. On the far left are several categories, the first of which is Site. Select Site to see the available options in the center pane, such as Create Site, Connect to Site, and samples you can use to begin building a site.

When you select Create Site, the Site Creation Wizard on the right side of the New window gives you three options. If you're starting from scratch, choose Blank Site. If you already have some files or an old site on your hard drive that you want to start managing with GoLive, select Site from Existing Content. If you have been given a site locator file, used by hosting companies that partner with Adobe, choose Site from a "Site Locator" file. The site locator file will automatically fill in all the FTP info for you.

If you've inherited an existing site that's on a server somewhere, but you don't have a copy of the files, choose the Connect to Site option in the center pane, and you can download the files via FTP or HTTP.

To create a new, blank site, choose Create Site from the list, check the Blank Site radio button, and click Next (Figure 14a).

Figure 14a. When beginning a new site from scratch, click the Blank Site radio button.

In the next screen you'll be asked to give your site a name and browse to a spot on your hard drive or network where the site will reside (Figure 14b). When finished, click Next.

Figure 14b. Give your site an appropriate name and choose a location for it by clicking the Browse button. The site name you enter doesn't have to match the domain name of the site.

If you need to collaborate with other GoLive users on the same site or need a version control system, choose Use Version Control and then select one of the options in the Version Control System popup menu. You'll then need to enter the necessary information, such as Username and Password, into the input fields. Otherwise, choose Don't Use Version Control and click the Next button (Figure 14c).

Figure 14c. Select Don't Use Version Control if you are not collaborating with others and don't need versioning tools.

Finally, you need to enter the publish server information for your site (Figure 14d). This is where you specify the Web server that will host your site. Choose a nickname for the server so you can easily recall it later. Select the protocol, such as FTP or HTTP from the protocol popup list and then add your username and password.

Figure 14d. Enter the publish server information including your server name, username, and password so you'll be ready to upload your work from within GoLive CS2.

Acquiring the FTP Information

If you've never created a Web site before, you may be wondering where in the world you come up with the information needed in the Publish Server settings. The company you have chosen to host your Web site should supply the settings to you.

To select the directory where you'll place your pages, click the small folder button at the right end of the Directory field. You'll be able to browse through the folders on the server until you find the correct one. When you select it, the Directory field will automatically be filled in with the correct path. And here's a little tip: In the Web world, the terms directory and folder mean the same thing.