🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello,

I have been in print publishing since the late 1980's, and I need to build
several web sites.  I am familiar with HTML at a very basic level, and
understand its similarities with Quark XTags. Obviously, I come from a
mindset that is much different than that used by those who prepare text and
images for web.  I am a Macintosh user, FWIW.

My mental limitations are: I ALWAYS need to know the big picture and I
cannot "just do" something without understanding WHY and how it fits into
the larger context.

What I seek is some sort of guide/book/tutorial that will give me a very
structured, 1-2-3 approach to follow.  In other words:

A)  overview of the basic differences between raster based images used in
print and web, with some discussion of how to do image slicing and why

B) which text handling tools are the best to work with from a web
development perspective and why

C) EXACTLY what carefully delineated steps (and in the most basic language
possible) do I need to follow to plan a site, build the assets, host the
site if I want to, upload the assets, secure the site and add features
later.

D) A selection of approaches for different situations.  Doing something on
the cheap initially, with an eye toward bigger budgets later.  How to design
something the right way initially without a database back end so that it
will easily accommodate being driven by a back end DB system later on.

E) overview of java, php and their roles; plus, anything else relevant of
that sort.

What I need to do first, second, third, etc.  After that, I'm sure my
approach will become more flexible.

Any suggestions as to these types of resources, along with recommended
software tools, are most appreciated.  I am willing to acquire whatever
software will prove useful.

I already have:

    FileMaker Pro 7 and 6
    Adobe CS (includes ImageReady and GoLive)
    Dreamweaver and Flash MX 2004
    QuarkXPress
    Graphic Converter
    BBEdit 7
    Some AppleScript knowledge

Thanks!

Bill Planey