How
to run a gnu/Linux user group website
This
article explains the above in very simple terms.
It
describes much like the way we have followed the development of our
current website gnulinuxclub.org
Why
do you require a website?
Starting
with a Gnu/Linux User group, you need to have a website where you can
carry out various activities. It is easy for members to keep
themselves updated from a website where they can come to know about
activities of the group and get some technical help too.
How
to design a site?
when
working with a gnu/Linux website ,it is better to develop the website
on Gnu/Linux platform. There are many WYSIWYG(What You
See Is What You Get) type of
editors same as front page
Like
Mozilla Web composer
other
powerful HTML editors are Quanta,Bluefish
You
could also go for a CMS(content management system)
Some
of these are PHP powered packages like Mambo,Drupal.
These
are very use to use and manage. Choose a template from a no. of free
templates,change that accordingly and you are up with your website.
All
these CMS have a back end,where you can administrate your website
with the click of a mouse.You can add menus, change them , add
content etc .Also you can allow registered users to login and submit
content at the website .These makes you free of hassles of writing
some html code,but you might not have the same flexibility.
Personally I
feel that still CMS is a better option. It saves lot of work and you
do not need to be that good website developer to maintain this.
Where
to host the website?
For
basic HTML based website you can get free web space from
geocities.yahoo.com
but you will also get different ads at geocities,which eats up some space at of your site.
Also if you require MySql and php support you cannot go to the above for
free.
If you are working for a Gnu/Linux website you can get free web space
at
swatantranet.com nipl.net and govinda.no-ip.com
With
swatantranet you will get a backed panel to manage your web space.
While
with nipl.net and govinda you will get a shell access to the server. you can
login into the shell through ssh .
You
can create a mysql database and start with your website using a CMS .
How
to generate funds?
??? Why
do you need funds?
You
need funds to co-ordinate various activities like distributing free
Cds, organizing events etc. If you have any commercial intent from
these generated funds,then these are not for you. These do take a
good time to come up and a good website with good optimizations only
can help you. there are several ad agencies like Adsense program etc.
To
know more about tip in improving your website ,you can catch us at
webmaster[at]gnulinuxclub.org.
How to get some help on website development?
When
you are developing a site for a Gnu/Linux ,you are bound to get many
volunteers for your website.To get to these volunteers ,post
messages in your user group for website development volunteers.You
will get volunteers for your website.
Organize
then in different areas of website development like
Website
deveopment
Website
Content
Website
publishing
Website
publicity
Do
delegate different job and responsibilty to team members.
You
can start a mailing list which will be easy for users to track the
website development
To
start a mailing List you can look for google groups,which is much
like a mailing list
It
is very difficult to work on the site independently,so the team will
be a big help to you.
What
content to put at the website?
The
content at the website must be updated regularly,so that users can
find new things when they visit your website.have a look at
differrent websites and see what do they have to offer.you could work
on other modules like the wiki and the blog section. It is not necessary to
bring forums, there are many forums out there, instead promote them.
All
that is required is enthusiasm from Gnu/Linux volunteers.Also you
need to encourage your team so that they do not end up in a
boredrum.Request for comments from personalities regarding your
website so that you can make any required changes in your websites.