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My wife has been nagging me for months to build a Web site to promote the children's novels I write. I know it's a good idea, but I've dreaded doing it. First off, I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, let alone design a Web page. And then there's the hassle of figuring how to post the darn thing online. In these worries, I know I'm not alone. But my fellow Net chickens, take heart. Apple has come to our rescue. The company has added a ridiculously easy way to build a Web site to its iTool offering of Internet services.
Called HomePage, this latest iTool feature takes you through the basics of creating a page, including how to add such cool features as clips of home movies. Then, Apple lets you post the page online at the click of a button. And best of all, the whole thing is free. That's not to say that Apple, like any good company, isn't after your money. It's just using its Web-based services as a loss leader to win your undying loyalty to the Mac platform. It figures bigger money can be made selling Macs year after year than charging you for Mac-centric online services. Apple is starting to charge for some premium services online, but more on that later. Let's first take a look at HomePage.
To find HomePage, go to Apple's home site at www.apple.com and click on the iTools tab on the top of screen. There, you'll find another button that leads to HomePage. The site greets you with a simple, easy-to-understand explanation of the service. HomePage is a piece of software embedded in Apple's Web site that walks you step-by-step through creating all kinds of sites. You'll see templates for photo albums, travelogues, newsletters, and invitations. And Apple is adding new templates all the time.
IMAGE LIBRARY. You select a template and then make it your own. Click on a headline and add your text. Or add links to other Web sites or to files on your computer. You can also add your own photos, graphics, or video clips. Apple says you can add art just by dragging a file from your computer to the template. That struck me at first as another of those grand but false claims computer companies love to make. But sure enough, it worked. I dragged a huge graphic file representing the cover illustration of my children's book, and HomePage accepted it without a hiccup -- and on the first attempt. I was impressed.
What if you don't have any art or photos to add to your site? Apple takes care of that, too. HomePage is linked to a big database of canned photos and art. You're free to borrow anything you want -- even edit it if you have a program such as Photoshop.
Of course, the prettiest of layouts is worthless if no one can see it. But that's not a problem with HomePage. It has reduced posting your Web site to the click of a mouse. When you're done designing your site, click the big Publish button and it's posted online on a secured Apple server. Anyone, whether using a PC or a Mac, Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, can view your page.
COLD MOLASSES. To be sure, HomePage does have limitations. One of the biggest is that Apple allots you only 20 megabytes (MB) of storage space on its servers. That's not much today, especially if your site includes photos or video. But Apple will sell you more space for an annual subscription fee. An additional 50MB costs $50, 100MB costs $100, and so on, up to 400MB for $400.
Another limitation is speed. Building a Web site online can feel like trying to stir molasses on a cold day if you're connected via a regular telephone modem. HomePage works best through one of the newer high-speed connections, such a cable modem or a DSL line. Still, no matter what the speed of your connection, I'd try HomePage. At the least, it's a great way to experiment with building a Web site. Who knows, you might turn out to be a better Net designer than you think.
Haddad, Atlanta-based correspondent for Business Week, is a long-time Apple Computer buff. Follow his column every week, only on BW Online Edited by Beth Belton
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