Michael
05-14-2008, 04:25 PM
Getting My Site Online
How does CirclePad help me make a web site?
CirclePad is a start-to-finish solution for making a web site. It gives you the online software to load photos, place text and edit the look. When you hit the save button, your site goes onto the CirclePad servers and is visible across the internet. By using CirclePad you avoid a huge number of technical problems and can focus on what you want your site to say and to look like.
How much does CirclePad cost?
CirclePad has a free version. With the free version your website will look like: www.circlepad.com/myCompany (http://www.circlepad.com/myCompany) and it will have advertising at the top.
For subscription of $8 a month, you can get CirclePad Pro which looks like: www.myCompany.com (http://www.mycompany.com/), and provides up to 10 email addresses like: me@myCompany.com (me@myCompany.com) and has no advertising banners.
How do I sign up for the free version?
Go back to the CirclePad home page at www.CirclePad.com (http://www.circlepad.com/) and click on the “Sign Up” link at the bottom. Fill in the short and simple form, and you are up and ready to go.
Why am I required to give my email address?
Your email is a unique id to log into CirclePad with. It is also used to mail back your password if you forget it or update you on support questions or technical problems. It is not used or given to anyone for the purpose of marketing. Please check or privacy policy for more details: http://www.circlepad.com/Legal/Privacy
Who can see my web site?
CirclePad uses a mix of commonly installed web technologies such as HTML, Flash and Ajax. Over 95% of people surfing the web will be able to see your web site, including Apple and Linux users.
Will people be able to Google my site?
Yes, CirclePad web pages can be read by all web search engines.
How can I tell if CirclePad is the right tool for my website?
If you are a small business that wants to market itself on the internet, CirclePad is a great complete solution. If you are a large company that needs:
- a web database
- custom programming
then you should use CirclePad onlyto create graphics. Location of “only”
What are the top reasons to use CirclePad?
The top reason to use CirclePad is that you gain control over your web site. Most solutions to make web pages are so complicated or limited that they don't let you make changes unless you are very technically able.
CirclePad also allows you to place things exactly where you want them without worrying how it will look if someone uses a Mac or Firefox.
CirclePad is also extremely fast. With HTML and other web technologies, it is slow to make web pages. You end up thinking about the process, not the result. CirclePad puts the focus on your web pages and your ideas without wasting your time on things that don't matter to you.
I already have a web site. How can I transfer it to CirclePad?
There is no automatic process to convert an existing web page to CirclePad, but you can easily take screenshots of the old site and build a CirclePad page to match overtop of them.
Subscribing to CirclePad Pro
What is the process to get www.myCompany.com (http://www.mycompany.com/) up and running?
Go to www.CirclePad.com (http://www.circlepad.com/) and hit the "Sign Up" text on the home page. After you sign up, you will have a free version account and can save pages. You may want to make a couple pages to test out the software. When you are ready, click on the "Upgrade" button on the top menu. Here you purchase CirclePad Pro. Once you have CirclePad Pro, click on the option "Web Site" to pick the name for your web site. It can take up to 48 hours for that name to go to all the big servers across the internet. Once that has happened your site is up and running. Whatever you save in CirclePad is on www.myCompany.com (http://www.mycompany.com/).
Each CirclePad Pro account is linked to one domain name.
Compilation of 2 of your Q&As
I already have a domain name. How do I get it to CirclePad?
After you get CirclePad Pro, use the transfer tools to bring over your domain.
How do I get email?
Once your CirclePad Pro site has a name, you can create up to 10 email addresses. CirclePad has a program called CirclePad Mail where you can read your mail on the web, or you can set it up to work with Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.
Will my email have spam protection?
Yes. CirclePad uses a program called SpamAssasin to filter out spam.
Comparing CirclePad With Other Approaches
Why wouldn't I use web hosting instead of CirclePad?
Hosting is a great way for technical people to make a web site. The problem is that hosting gets complicated and time consuming. Bottom line: CirclePad is simpler and faster.
Why not use a web site template software?
Many people use templates to make their web pages and this can be a good solution for them. What CirclePad offers over templates is the ability to edit. As your company grows and as your ideas evolve, it's very easy to hit a wall with a template solution. CirclePad doesn't have that limitation - you have complete freedom to set up and modify your site your way.
If I'm hiring someone to make a CirclePad Site, why not have them make a regular site?
The reason is once you are delivered a regular site, unless you are very technical it will be hard to change. With a CirclePad site you can make corrections to the text, switch out a photo, or make whatever change you want for no extra cost, and with no hassle.
Knowing How My Web Pages Work
Can I link to other pages?
Yes, in CirclePad you can link to any page you have made inside your CirclePad web site, and also to any page on the internet.
How can I combine CirclePad with my existing web site?
A CirclePad page is just a regular web page. You can link to it as though it was part of your site, and you can link back to your existing web site.
Can I link to an email address?
Yes, CirclePad can link to an email address.
Can I make web pages in a variety of sizes?
Yes, CirclePad has options for setting page width and height.
What if I have no experience making sites or no design skills?
A good way to think about CirclePad is like using PowerPoint. CirclePad, like PowerPoint, is used to communicate ideas. There are many people who make great PowerPoint presentations that are not artistic. When marketing your company, it's what you say and how you say it that matters the most. Change of order
If you would like help to make your site look better, why not team up with a friend? CirclePad takes minutes to learn and if you know people with design skills, you may be able to get them to help you. You can also post on the CirclePad forum to get help making your site.
Can CirclePad make a page that looks like this example?
Why not post your example site on the forum and see how other users would tackle your question. CirclePad has the tools to make most web sites and there are many creative techniques to make something special and unique.
Will all my pages be visible to everyone on the internet?
No, you probably would not want that. CirclePad gives you the option to save each web page in either a public or private area.
Using Other Design Tools
Can I load animated gifs with CirclePad?
Yes, just load them like any other photo.
Can I use Photoshop and Illustrator with CirclePad?
Yes. These are great tools to make logos and graphics to place on your CirclePad pages.
Can I mix CirclePad with html and flash?
Yes. If you know html you can use frames and iframes to mix circlePad pages and graphics with other web technology.
Using CirclePad - FAQ
How can I contact customer support?
support@CirclePad.com (support@CirclePad.com)
How do I delete something from my page?
Just select the object (text, shape or photo) and hit the delete key. Or you can click Edit Objects > Edit > Delete.
I loaded a photo to a web page and later deleted it, but it still appears on my photo list. Why?
When you delete a photo you delete it from the page, but not from your photo list. You can delete it from the photo list by clicking on "Organize" and then setting the “Type” to “Photos”. Now select and “Delete” the photo.
Caution! If you delete a photo from your photo list, it will disappear from all pages that use it. So be careful.
How do I backup my pages?
It's important to save multiple copies of your pages or you will end up accidentally deleting something you want. It's a good idea to save myPage1, myPage2, etc. to keep copies. CirclePad has both a public and a private area to save your pages. You may want to save your backup pages in the private area, and can use "Organize" to move pages between public and private.
Also if you want to save an image of the visible part of you page to you computer you can click on Page Setup > Screenshot > Photograph Page.
How do I change the first page people see when they go to my web site?
When you save, just click on HomePage. This will save your page as the name you typed in, and also save it as the starting page for your web site.
How do I add a background image?
Page Setup > Background > Background Image
How do I load an image bigger than the size of my page?
CirclePad will automatically size your images so they fit on your web page. If you need to load a really big image, just make your page larger, load it and then make the page smaller again.
How do I align objects on my pages?
You can use the grid tool. It's found under "Page Setup" > Grid.
How can I keep my web pages private?
If you want only selected pages to be invisible to others, when you Save the page, set the “Who can see it” option to “Me - It’s Hidden”. If the page is already in the public area, then use “Organize” to select and “Hide” the page.
How does CirclePad help me make a web site?
CirclePad is a start-to-finish solution for making a web site. It gives you the online software to load photos, place text and edit the look. When you hit the save button, your site goes onto the CirclePad servers and is visible across the internet. By using CirclePad you avoid a huge number of technical problems and can focus on what you want your site to say and to look like.
How much does CirclePad cost?
CirclePad has a free version. With the free version your website will look like: www.circlepad.com/myCompany (http://www.circlepad.com/myCompany) and it will have advertising at the top.
For subscription of $8 a month, you can get CirclePad Pro which looks like: www.myCompany.com (http://www.mycompany.com/), and provides up to 10 email addresses like: me@myCompany.com (me@myCompany.com) and has no advertising banners.
How do I sign up for the free version?
Go back to the CirclePad home page at www.CirclePad.com (http://www.circlepad.com/) and click on the “Sign Up” link at the bottom. Fill in the short and simple form, and you are up and ready to go.
Why am I required to give my email address?
Your email is a unique id to log into CirclePad with. It is also used to mail back your password if you forget it or update you on support questions or technical problems. It is not used or given to anyone for the purpose of marketing. Please check or privacy policy for more details: http://www.circlepad.com/Legal/Privacy
Who can see my web site?
CirclePad uses a mix of commonly installed web technologies such as HTML, Flash and Ajax. Over 95% of people surfing the web will be able to see your web site, including Apple and Linux users.
Will people be able to Google my site?
Yes, CirclePad web pages can be read by all web search engines.
How can I tell if CirclePad is the right tool for my website?
If you are a small business that wants to market itself on the internet, CirclePad is a great complete solution. If you are a large company that needs:
- a web database
- custom programming
then you should use CirclePad onlyto create graphics. Location of “only”
What are the top reasons to use CirclePad?
The top reason to use CirclePad is that you gain control over your web site. Most solutions to make web pages are so complicated or limited that they don't let you make changes unless you are very technically able.
CirclePad also allows you to place things exactly where you want them without worrying how it will look if someone uses a Mac or Firefox.
CirclePad is also extremely fast. With HTML and other web technologies, it is slow to make web pages. You end up thinking about the process, not the result. CirclePad puts the focus on your web pages and your ideas without wasting your time on things that don't matter to you.
I already have a web site. How can I transfer it to CirclePad?
There is no automatic process to convert an existing web page to CirclePad, but you can easily take screenshots of the old site and build a CirclePad page to match overtop of them.
Subscribing to CirclePad Pro
What is the process to get www.myCompany.com (http://www.mycompany.com/) up and running?
Go to www.CirclePad.com (http://www.circlepad.com/) and hit the "Sign Up" text on the home page. After you sign up, you will have a free version account and can save pages. You may want to make a couple pages to test out the software. When you are ready, click on the "Upgrade" button on the top menu. Here you purchase CirclePad Pro. Once you have CirclePad Pro, click on the option "Web Site" to pick the name for your web site. It can take up to 48 hours for that name to go to all the big servers across the internet. Once that has happened your site is up and running. Whatever you save in CirclePad is on www.myCompany.com (http://www.mycompany.com/).
Each CirclePad Pro account is linked to one domain name.
Compilation of 2 of your Q&As
I already have a domain name. How do I get it to CirclePad?
After you get CirclePad Pro, use the transfer tools to bring over your domain.
How do I get email?
Once your CirclePad Pro site has a name, you can create up to 10 email addresses. CirclePad has a program called CirclePad Mail where you can read your mail on the web, or you can set it up to work with Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.
Will my email have spam protection?
Yes. CirclePad uses a program called SpamAssasin to filter out spam.
Comparing CirclePad With Other Approaches
Why wouldn't I use web hosting instead of CirclePad?
Hosting is a great way for technical people to make a web site. The problem is that hosting gets complicated and time consuming. Bottom line: CirclePad is simpler and faster.
Why not use a web site template software?
Many people use templates to make their web pages and this can be a good solution for them. What CirclePad offers over templates is the ability to edit. As your company grows and as your ideas evolve, it's very easy to hit a wall with a template solution. CirclePad doesn't have that limitation - you have complete freedom to set up and modify your site your way.
If I'm hiring someone to make a CirclePad Site, why not have them make a regular site?
The reason is once you are delivered a regular site, unless you are very technical it will be hard to change. With a CirclePad site you can make corrections to the text, switch out a photo, or make whatever change you want for no extra cost, and with no hassle.
Knowing How My Web Pages Work
Can I link to other pages?
Yes, in CirclePad you can link to any page you have made inside your CirclePad web site, and also to any page on the internet.
How can I combine CirclePad with my existing web site?
A CirclePad page is just a regular web page. You can link to it as though it was part of your site, and you can link back to your existing web site.
Can I link to an email address?
Yes, CirclePad can link to an email address.
Can I make web pages in a variety of sizes?
Yes, CirclePad has options for setting page width and height.
What if I have no experience making sites or no design skills?
A good way to think about CirclePad is like using PowerPoint. CirclePad, like PowerPoint, is used to communicate ideas. There are many people who make great PowerPoint presentations that are not artistic. When marketing your company, it's what you say and how you say it that matters the most. Change of order
If you would like help to make your site look better, why not team up with a friend? CirclePad takes minutes to learn and if you know people with design skills, you may be able to get them to help you. You can also post on the CirclePad forum to get help making your site.
Can CirclePad make a page that looks like this example?
Why not post your example site on the forum and see how other users would tackle your question. CirclePad has the tools to make most web sites and there are many creative techniques to make something special and unique.
Will all my pages be visible to everyone on the internet?
No, you probably would not want that. CirclePad gives you the option to save each web page in either a public or private area.
Using Other Design Tools
Can I load animated gifs with CirclePad?
Yes, just load them like any other photo.
Can I use Photoshop and Illustrator with CirclePad?
Yes. These are great tools to make logos and graphics to place on your CirclePad pages.
Can I mix CirclePad with html and flash?
Yes. If you know html you can use frames and iframes to mix circlePad pages and graphics with other web technology.
Using CirclePad - FAQ
How can I contact customer support?
support@CirclePad.com (support@CirclePad.com)
How do I delete something from my page?
Just select the object (text, shape or photo) and hit the delete key. Or you can click Edit Objects > Edit > Delete.
I loaded a photo to a web page and later deleted it, but it still appears on my photo list. Why?
When you delete a photo you delete it from the page, but not from your photo list. You can delete it from the photo list by clicking on "Organize" and then setting the “Type” to “Photos”. Now select and “Delete” the photo.
Caution! If you delete a photo from your photo list, it will disappear from all pages that use it. So be careful.
How do I backup my pages?
It's important to save multiple copies of your pages or you will end up accidentally deleting something you want. It's a good idea to save myPage1, myPage2, etc. to keep copies. CirclePad has both a public and a private area to save your pages. You may want to save your backup pages in the private area, and can use "Organize" to move pages between public and private.
Also if you want to save an image of the visible part of you page to you computer you can click on Page Setup > Screenshot > Photograph Page.
How do I change the first page people see when they go to my web site?
When you save, just click on HomePage. This will save your page as the name you typed in, and also save it as the starting page for your web site.
How do I add a background image?
Page Setup > Background > Background Image
How do I load an image bigger than the size of my page?
CirclePad will automatically size your images so they fit on your web page. If you need to load a really big image, just make your page larger, load it and then make the page smaller again.
How do I align objects on my pages?
You can use the grid tool. It's found under "Page Setup" > Grid.
How can I keep my web pages private?
If you want only selected pages to be invisible to others, when you Save the page, set the “Who can see it” option to “Me - It’s Hidden”. If the page is already in the public area, then use “Organize” to select and “Hide” the page.