If this is your first web site, getting started might seem intimidating.  Rest assured that a major factor behind the internet's explosive growth is the ease of setup.  A web sites requires a domain name, a host provider, HTML web pages, and FTP software.  That's it.

Countless companies provide these components, resulting in costs that have spiraled downward.  Today, virtually anyone can afford an internet site.  Since costs are so minimal and potential benefits so great, everyone should consider establishing a web presence.

The name you enter in the address line of your web brower is the domain name.  The most familiar format is "www.yourname.com".   Domains can be registered for under ten dollars per year at numerous sites, including GeekPhilosopher.  But, be warned.  One of the hardest parts of establishing a web site is finding a domain name that hasn't already been taken.

Web pages must be located on a web server to be accessible over the Internet.  Host Service Providers (HSP) provide web server space for your web site. HSP's are available from the following sources:

• Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may provide free web hosting.  This is a great no-cost approach.  Your domain name can be forwarded to the site.
• Several sites provide free hosting in exchange for posting advertising banners on your web pages.  This is a viable approach for a personal web site.
• Host Service Providers sell services for a monthly or annual fee.  Several sites, including GeekPhilosopher, sell hosting services for less that $10/month. 

Basic web pages are written in HTML.  The HTML shell accomodates various programming languages, including java and javascript.  You won't have any problem finding companies that design web sites.  A search for "affordable web design" on Yahoo results in over a million matches. 

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software allows you to upload or download files from your web server.  Most HSPs provide FTP software within their service package.  If your HSP doesn't provide this service, several FTP software products and shareware applications are available.  Additionally, Windows-XP includes WebDAV, which is a more secure file transfer protocol.