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Frequently Asked Questions

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I would like a Web page, where do I start?

The first step in obtaining a Web page is to make sure you are registered with homepages.wmich.edu. To do this, you will need to know your Bronco NetID and password. Then, go to our Getting Started page.

What if I don't remember my Bronco NetID and password?

You may contact the OIT Help Desk at (269) 387-HELP.

Why do I have to register?

Registering sets up your account on the Web server and grants the proper permissions. If you do not register, even if you have created a www folder and .html files, they will not be viewable.

Ok, I have registered, what is my Web page address?

Everyone that registers with homepages has a Web address in this format:
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~BroncoNetID where BroncoNetID is your username, e.g. jbronco.

I registered, now how do I access my Web site?

Logins to the site are prohibited. You create your pages on your own computer and then you must use some type of file transfer protocol (FTP) to upload the pages to your space on the homepages Web server. The FTP address is homepages.wmich.edu and your login is via your Bronco NetID username and password.

I chose to have your template copied to my area, now how do I edit it?

You may browse to the page on your site and then click on File > Save As to save it to your computer as index-template.html. Then you may open it using a Web software, or even Microsoft Word, make your changes and save it. Finally upload the file back to your server area using an FTP program.

How much space do I get and can I get more?

By default, faculty and staff are allocated 150 MB for Web page storage, 100 MB for file storage and 300 MB for e-mail storage. There will be a Web-based program available later that will allow faculty and staff to redistribute their account space allocation within a combined maximum of 1 GB. For now however, contact the Account Manager at (269) 387-HELP if you need to redistribute your file space.

Where can I find information about creating my own pages?

Resource links and information about creating pages may be found on the Getting Started page.

What am I allowed to do on my page?

Review the Rules and Policies pages for answers to this question.

What do I use to create a page?

The easiest way to create your own Web page is to use a software package such as Macromedia Dreamweaver (the recommended and supported product at WMU). Dreamweaver is available for purchase at an educational discount through TotalTECH . You may also use Netscape Composer and Microsoft Word (save as Web Page). There is also a free alternative to Dreamweaver, NVU (n-view), which may be downloaded and used for free. Although you may be able to obtain assistance with its use, it is considered non-supported and use at your own risk. See the NVU How To.

Can I use Microsoft FrontPage?

You should not use FrontPage as it may cause problems when you upload your site. We have seen entire sites wiped out by a FrontPage upload. The recommended and supported package at WMU is Macromedia Dreamweaver.

I've created pages on my computer, how do I get them to the homepages server?

You may use the file transfer protocol (FTP) program with which you are most comfortable. Dreamweaver has a built-in FTP program but WS_FTP LE may be downloaded from here.

I keep getting FTP errors when I try to upload my pages. What's wrong?

It's possible you are using an ISP which does not reverse map and the homepages server is not allowing the connection to be made for security purposes. If you have ftp errors, the fastest way to obtain a solution is to contact the OIT Help Desk by telephone at 387-HELP. You could also send e-mail but chances are likely that the Help Desk will need additional information from you and you could spend several days e-mailing back and forth before it is resolved.

I am looking for someone's page, how do I find it?

Use the A-Z listing found at homepages.wmich.edu.

Why don't I show up in the A-Z listing?

If it has been more than 24 hours since you registered for homepages and you still do not show up, you probably chose not to be listed at the time of your registration. Go here to change your settings.

When I try to view my pages, all I see are file folders and document icons. Why?

The server looks for a file called index.html or index.htm. If it does not find that file, it displays only a listing of the files in your Web area. Renaming your main page, index.html should solve the problem.

I created my page and loaded it but all I see is your template page. Why?

Your page must be named index.html or index.htm. If the server does not find a file with either of those names, and you chose to have the template copied over when you registered for homepages, the server will display the template. Renaming your main page index.html and reloading it should solve the problem.

I have Web pages on another server, can I move them?

Yes. Simply download the files from the first server to your computer and then you can upload them to the homepages server.

Can I use CGI scripts on my pages?

You may not write CGI scripts on the homepages server, however, some scripts are available that you may use on your pages. See the Help Desk "Web How To's" for more information.

Does the homepages Web server support Flash?

Yes, the homepages server does support Flash.

How about server side includes or server side javascript?

Sorry, neither is available.

Does the server support active server pages?

Sorry, active server pages (ASP, PHP) are not supported.

Can I have streaming video on my site?

Sorry, resources are not available at this time to allow streaming video from the homepages server. You may add movie clips though, if they are small enough to fit into your Web space. For course-related activities, faculty members may also contact OIT's Media Production unit to see what options are available.

Do I have access to MySQL or PostgreSQL or any other database servers?

Sorry, database resources are not available from homepages.

Can I telnet my pages?

Sorry telnet is not available on the homepages server.

Can I password protect my Web site or some of its pages?

Yes, you can password protect your Web files. See the Help Desk How To, "Password Protecting Web Pages on homepages.wmich.edu".

Are backups made of my files in case I inadvertantly overwrite a page?
You are responsible for the back up or archival of your own pages and files.

I no longer want my site, how do I remove it?
You may either FTP to the site and delete all your files manually, or you may use the Delete your Web site link on the Account Maintenance page.

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| Last Updated: September 8, 2006
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