Chapter 5. Getting Started

5.1. Creating a New Project

In Screem you can edit web sites in two different ways. You can load individual pages and edit them or you can load a project. To load an individual page goto the + + +File+ + + + ->Open Pages..+ + + + . Loading individual pages has several distinct disadvantages, Screem can't keep track of the pages for automatic upload, it can't change links if you move a file within Screem and you can't use templates.

Tip

You are probably wondering what a project is. A project is a group of HTML and image files that make up one site. The concept of projects is one of Screem's strong points. When you load the project file the program remembers the site specific information such as where to upload it and what templates to use. Besides just remembering site specific information it also brings up all the files in your site and displays them on the left hand side of the program. Another significant advantage of projects is that you can setup up site templates as well as page templates. That way if you have a basic site layout (like an img directory and a cgi-bin directory) Screem will create those default directories and files for you if create a site template. This can significantly reduce the time it takes to create a website from scratch.

To create a site in Screem select + + +File+ + + + ->New+ + + + ->New Site...+ + + + . A wizard will then appear.

Figure 5-1. Site Wizard

During this wizard it will ask if for the default directory and a name. The directory it is asking for is where the site will reside on your hard drive. On the next page it will ask if you want to use a site template and a page template. Before you can use a site template or a page template you must create them by + + + +File+ + + + + ->New+ + + + + ->Site Template...+ + + + +

Tip

Site templates are a way of standardizing your sites. You might want might want to put an image, script and download directory in all your sites. After you specify what site template you want, the program will go ahead and create those default directories and files that you specified. Page templates might contain a background image and the default layout of your site as well as the default color scheme with no page specific information in it. That way when you add a new page to your site you won't have to copy all standard layout information and you can go right to work.

The wizard then asks if you want to use CVS for your sites development.

Tip

CVS is a way for a group of people to work on a project at the same time with out breaking the code or the site. It does this by making the user editing a specific page to check it out before they start editing. That way no one else edits the page at the same time. (If you are working alone you do not need this).

The wizard then asks for your upload information. Make sure you fill this out correctly. The automatic FTP/WebDAV/RCP/SCP is a real time saver when used correctly! Now you have completed the site wizard. Happy editing!