Meg's Place FAQ

   Meg's Place has been around for a long time now, and I've received many questions since it first began in February 1997.  I created this FAQ to try to answer some of those questions.  I hope this helps.  If there is something you think should be listed here and isn't, please contact me at Meg6212@aol.com.

    1.)  How did you make your website?

        I design my web site by myself, I normally use plain and simple html for it.  Sometimes I will use something like Frontpage for my awards pages to save time.  I normally use HomeSite to type the html into because it's easier to make the html files that way, but I also use notepad.

    2.)  How do you make / find your graphics?

        I like to make my own personal graphics.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  I use Paint Shop Pro for all my graphics right now.  If there is something that I don't make, I will visit a web site that contains FREE approved clip art and animations, etc.   From my time on the net, I have collected a huge collection of things like that on my computer, so I usually look there first for something I need. 

    3.)  Will you make me a homepage?

        I wish that I could make a page for everyone that asked me, unfortually I can't.  I spend most of my free time on the net doing updates to Meg's Place as well as reading and responding to email.  Another big thing I do while I'm on the computer is work for the company that I run (Webfomation).   I can work both on and off line, and I do, because running a web design company is very time comsuming.  And though it isn't that I don't want to help people, I have to give my paying clients my full time and attention, that is only fair.  I do answer questions when I can if someone asks me though. 

    4.)  Will you make me a graphic?

        Again, I wish that I had time to help everyone out, but I still don't have enough time to make personal graphics for people.  There are, however, many sites on the net in which you might be able to find what you are looking for.

    5.)  How many Net Nerds can we adopt?

        Well, when you are adopting I will honor 1 request for each kind of Net Nerd.  For example one type is the regular ( Original ) Net Nerds.  The reason this is done is to save time, and prevent too many from being on one page. 

    6.)  Can you personalize my Net Nerd?

        No, not right now, that would be nice, but I get about 200 Net Nerd requests per week, and more in the summer, so I can't add special things to them.  I do however, try to get new kinds of Net Nerds out whenever I can, so I hope that by doing so I keep it interesting.

    7.)  Why isn't there a counter on your page?

        Actually, there is.  You might not see it right away, but if you look for the World 1000 button, that's it.  That is my counter.  That gives me stats such as how many people visited my page for the day, week, month, and year.  I also have an invisable counter that is provided with my web site hosting company that I can also check if I need to.  

    8.)  Why isn't there any music on your pages?

        Well, I love music, I never said I didn't, but I don't always like it on web pages, it works fine for some, but then you have to decide if you are going to  make it load when the page does, enable someone to turn it on / off, or let someone pick.  And there will always be the person who really doesn't like that midi choice, so I decided that a silent site worked fine for me for the time being. 

    9.)  Why don't you use frames?

        I don't hate frames, but I don't really like them.. in most cases on the web, they are used poorly or bring up many errors, this isn't always true.  Some sites do a great job with them, and that's fine.  But for my site, I have picked my simple layout because that is what I always wanted, and now that I have something setup that I really like, I don't plan on changing it right now.  However, don't be surprised to find frames used in some of the sections of Meg's Place from time to time, like I said, I have nothing against them, I just don't use them for the majority of my site. 

    10.)  How many emails do you get per day?

        Lucky for me my email isn't so quick to fill up like it used to be.  I usually get about 120 emails on average per day.  In the summer this sometimes increases, but I ALWAYS try to respond to every email that needs a reply :)  If you write to me and I don't respond, you might want to email me again and ask me if I got it.  You never know with email, and it's possible something could get over looked or misplaced and I wouldn't want that to happen.

    11.)  Your 17, why is your page geared more towards children?

        For one, I hope that my site is fun for all ages, and not just one age group.  For this to be possible, my site does need to be kidsafe.  I think that it's important for children to be able to find a place on the net where they can have a good time, and they don't have to worry about coming across a ton of things that either doesn't interest them or isn't approprite for them to be seeing.
        So that is part of what comes into my mind when I am adding things to my site, but most importantly I like to put things I enjoy on my site.. things like my Pets, Friends, Causes, etc.  Those things are important to me, so I include them in my site.  If a site isn't fun for the owner, they aren't going to enjoy the page themselves and might not even want to keep the page.  What is the point to that?  If you make a site that you enjoy, chances are, others will like it too. 

    12.)  Why don't you really chat in chatrooms much?

        When I first got on the net, I chated a lot to begin with.  Everything was all so new to me, and I wanted to try everything out.  So, AOL chat used to be where I lived.. but as I got used to the net.. chat was still cool, but it got old too fast for me.  Once I found the net, html, and web design, there was no turning back.  Now, though I wouldn't mind stoping in for a chat once in awhile, I really don't get much of a chance to have enough free time for that.  So many things going on at once keep me pretty busy.   But I'm ALWAYS talking to people.. Through IMs, through ICQ, I talk to a lot of people everyday, so I suppose in a way that is why I don't use chatrooms alot too. 

    13.)  Can you help me with HTML?

        I don't mind helping people, but it got to a point where I was answering simple questions 20 times a day, and I thought that I should make it easier for people.  That is why I created Meg's HTML Help Section on Meg's Place.  If you are having HTML trouble, please check this out first.  If there is something that you can't find there or from one of my links, I'll be glad to help you out if I can.

    14.)  How did you win so many awards?

        Well, I do hope that I have earned them all, but to be honest I don't know.  If I see an award that I would like to have a chance at winning, I will apply for it.  But many of my awards were given to me without applying for them.  That really means a lot to me too :)

    15.)  Do you design web sites for other people?

        Yes, I run a web design company called Webfomation at http://www.webfomation.com - I decided to start it up so that I would one, have a real paying job, and two, because it was something I really enjoyed doing already.  I make sites for companies, stores, etc.  I have a great time doing it too.

    16.)  You have so many causes, do you believe in them all?

        Definitely!   I would never support or advertise something in any way, unless I believe it in.   That is why, sometimes when someone invites me to support their cause or club, I cannot because it may not be something I believe in and / or wish to support.

    17.)  Can you make me a button like your Meg's Place ones?

        Actually, I used to volunteer at Button Central put up by the Site Fights.  I just didn't have time to do that anymore, but there are still some great people working there.  They will make you a button if you fill out the form. 

    18.)   Can you add my link to your site?

        I would love to be able to add a link for every person that asked.  But I don't add links on request.   My links section contains links I find on the web while surfing and that is the only time I add links to that section.  For people who'd like to get their link on my site, I have created the Button Board.   You can submit your web site for it, and I will add you to the wall of buttons.   It's become very popular, and I'm glad people liked my idea!

    19.)   How often do you update your site?

        Well, I update whenever I have something new to add.  I try to do that often, but a lot of the time I just don't have the time to update as often as I would like.  Depending on how much time I have and what ideas I have, updates can vary from minor details to major sections added.  I try to add something big when I can, but time doesn't always allow me to do that.   Keep your eyes open, you never know when something will be new.

    20.)   How do I know when your site is updated?

        Well, I have a What's New section on my site which you can find a link on my main page.  I won't put every little change I make on there, but I will metion the bigger updates as well as anything new that I add of course.  I also have an update list, you can sign up from my main page too, it's from listbot.  It works well when I want to let the people on that list know about something that I've updated or added.  I don't send it out too often, so if you want some updates about my site, that might be something you would like to sign up for :)

    21.)   How did you get that On/Offline Button?

        To use that button, you must have a program called ICQ.   It can be downloaded at their homepage.  Once you have that, you may use this extra feature, they have a special section up to help you on this page.

    22.)   Why don't you change your layout often?

        I have talked to a lot of people on the internet, and most agree that one of the most important things about a site is that you have it be something that you enjoy.  It is for everyone to enjoy, but the most important is the person who runs it.  It took me a long time to find a layout that worked best for me and my site.  Now that I have found that it is what I wish to keep.   Anyone who's been to my site in the past knows that I have changed the layout a bit, but it's still the basic layout idea that I keep.  I think it's great when a site likes to change it's layout all the time, and that's fine, but just because some sites do it doesn't mean that they all need to.  The point of a website is for it to be something unique and not always follow what everyone else is doing, that is what makes it more fun. 

    23.)   How can you use Notepad to make HTML files?

        While people just starting out with web pages or that have trouble with html probably shouldn't use notepad alone to start their site, it is a very useful program for more advanced users.  The key to doing it correctly is when you are ready to save your file in notepad.  Just save the file as All Files instead of a .txt file and name it whatever you would like.  For example mypage.html - Remember to add .html or .htm to the end of the filename or this will not work.

    24.)   How did you learn HTML?

        I taught myself HTML in early 1997.  There are many books and sites out there to help you.  I even have a HTML Help Section up if you need it.  Sometimes it's also helpful to view the source of a web page to see how it's made up.  However, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you never steal or copy someones source, layout, idea, etc.  Looking at someone's source should only be done to learn more about how html is put together and used. 

    25.)   How did you get your own domain name?

        Anyone can buy their own domain name.  This is not free, however, you must pay fees to get your domain registered as well as find a web hosting provider to host your files.  A domain itself costs $70 to own it for the first 2 years.  After that, each year you pay $35.  This is all handled by a company called InterNIC.  You can go there if you wish to find out more information.  The second part to think about is that you need to find a web host that is right for what you need.  This usually costs about $10-$20 per month to host your site.  They will also register your domain for you when you sign up in most cases.

    26.)   Do you pay for your site yourself?

        Yes I do.  I have a job and I pay for things myself.   This doesn't mean at all that I'm rich ( though I wouldn't mind it so if anyone wants to contribute please let me know ;o)  )  A lot of people might think the only way that someone my age could get anything would be to have their parents pay for it.   But that is just a stereotype - many teens are quite able to pay for their own things.  Some save what money they earn, some have steady part time jobs, etc...   I think it's really nice to see someone take responsbility in what they earn and spend. 

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