The Unit's main pages, administered by Neil Simpson - Unit Quartermaster, dealt with various topics to do with the Unit but I felt that at times items were published which I didn't have much control over, 'Meet Our Leader' was one of them. So I thought time to get my own back.

I started with a cover version of Hot Dog which wasn't to bad but I had to learn about HTML coding. I then decided as I had Microsoft Office 97 to try and use that to code some simple pages. This worked to a fashion but I still wanted that little bit extra.

I read through various articles on web publishing and finally decided on Microsoft FrontPage 98. I was happy using this program as it was easy to use. Type the text you want and insert the relevant pictures. HTML code could also be used as the program gave you three views, 'Normal'- a WYSIWYG view, 'HTML' view and a 'Preview' option.

I started publishing simple pages about the Unit using my previous ISP. After asking them if they were configured to use Microsoft Extensions (extensions which allow you to create special effects or features such as page counters, guestbooks or page transitions) and getting a very positive NO, I decided to swap to my present ISP (Advanced Systems Consultants).

I started to add more areas to the site but it still didn't really come together until 1st Douglas Scout Group agreed to fund a web site for the Group (http://www.1stdouglas.org.im). Four members of the Group, Mike Davis, Neil Simpson, Martin Hazell and myself decided to split the administration of the Group's site into separate areas which left me with the Unit's second site and the Group's Beaver site (still being developed...slowly). I then decided to give this site a complete once over and redesign all the pages.

Previously pages had been added with no real structure so I decided to split the site into four areas, About the Unit, Unit Activities , Unit History, and Other Links. Also I started to add midi files as background music to some to the pages just to give a little atmosphere (anyone who doesn't like midi files or thinks they sound rubbish should try listening to them using SoundBlaster Live Value sound card and Creative PCWorks surround sound speakers) and wav files to some of the pictures. The site ended up as you find it now.

I've found a good magazine to get is .net as it has articles in each month on the how to build/promote web sites. The magazine also includes some useful programs on it's cover disk.

I'm not sure which way the pages will go in the future but I've a copy of 'RealAudio Producer G2' which gives me the ability to code sound and video into small files. I've also got a copy of Macromedia's FLASH 2 which I'm playing about with at the moment.

If you have any comment about these pages or any ideas please e-mail me or sign my guestbook.

Thanks for visiting the Unit's second site. To have a look at the Unit's main site follow this link :- http://www.1stdouglas.org.im/venture1

For those of you who are interested my set-up is :-

Hardware

Intel Pentium 233Mhz PC running windows 95, 80 MB Ram, SoundBlaster Live Value sound card, Matrox Mistique 4MB graphics card with the rainbow runner video capture card installed, Creative PCWorks surround sound speakers, Pace external 56K modem, Iomega Zip drive (for backup) and a Black Widow 9630S scanner. 

Software used to create and view this site

Microsoft FrontPage 98, RealAudio Producer G2, Internet Explorer 4, Trial Version of PaintShop Pro 4, Creative wave studio version 4.02 and Media Studio Pro version 5.0 video capture software.

Site Disclaimer

Guidelines have been issued from The Scout Association as to what should and should not be placed on a website which is dedicated to Scouting members.

Where information is published on individuals, permission has been given/sought so that relevant details can continue to be published which reflect T.O. Fisher Venture Scout Unit, it's Members and it's activities.

Permission given by individuals covers both Unit sites (www.1stdouglas.org.im/venture1 and www.1stdouglas.org.im/venture2). Additional permission may be required if information is held on any other section of 1st Douglas' website.

If any person has any comments/questions regarding the information contained on the two Venture sites please e-mail Neil Simpson (Administrator - /venture1) or Gordon Gledhill (Administrator - /venture2)

1st Douglas Scout Group is registered with the Isle of Man Office of the Data Protection Registrar for all information published on the Group's website.

© 1st Douglas Scout Group Est. 1909