Hi, I've been asked to redo a website that is currently on-line that was made using word. I will be using VSD. Do I delete the old site and start over or? Will I be able to save the old site to use some of the pages, maybe with links? I have saved the files on my pocket drive, but of course if I delete the site I won't be able to connect to the pages, or will I need to redo the old pages for the new site? It will have to have the same URL as the old site. thanks for any help. Sarah

Sarah,

I redid a site that was made with MS Publisher, and all I did was keep the original files for reference, and used the same graphics.

You can use an FTP program and copy all the files to an archive or oldfiles folder on the site, to keep them available for you viewing when necessary.

Do you have the FTP username and password? When you have the home page ready to upload, it will replace the old index file and the URL will not be changed.

Hi bill, thank you for replying. Well, that sounds easy enough. So, you go to the site via ftp,(I will be given the user name and password soon) save the site, on the server?, or save it in VSD, but not linked to any pages?, I guess on the server.

The current webmaster uses Windows Explorer to change, save and upload files through the ftp. I can connect that way, but not through VSD or Dftp yet. the username and password don't seem to work there. so I have to clarify what they really are.

So, then I can save some of the old pages and link to them? That would be great.

Thanks so much for your help. Sarah

Sarah,

I don't think you are going to be able to import anything into VSD. I would suggest you save a copy of the pages on your hard drive, and maybe even put copies in a folder on the server (may be redundant, but also safe).

If the username & password work with IE, then they should work with an FTP program. Do you know the name of the hosting service? There may be someone here that can help with the DFTP settings.

When I did a redo, I started with the index.html page, and rebuilt it with links to the old pages. Then I rebuilt another page, and changed the link for that page to point to the new page. Just repeated that until all pages were redone.

Good luck on the redo, and be sure to let us know how it is progressing.

Thank you Bill. Your explanation of how to do this is very helpful and makes it sound like it will be easy to do. The host is Bluehost. I've been playing with the id and password and think I have it. In dftp it got to the point of saying "connecting", but never would connect, just kept going.

In IE the other webmaster already had it programed to connect, but she will come over and help me connect I am sure.

Thanks for the good advice. An adventure is awaiting me. Here I go. Sarah