Way back in the late 1990's I wanted to have my cartoons put on the Internet. I had a friend who had a computer and a site and he was nice enough to post several of my cartoons on his site. He did an OK job, but I wanted something better. After I got my own computer I asked my friend how to build my own site. What happened next broke my heart. He pulled out his "HTML cheat sheet". Neatly typed in small print on a 14x12-inch laminated sheet was over 100 bits of intimidating HTML code that was totally alien to me. He said "These are the most used codes, but there are a lot more that you will need to know." AAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I almost cried. (I needed help for webmasters badly!!) It would take me less time to learn how to speak Spanish!!! I asked my friend if there was another way to make web pages. He said that there were programs out there that cost hundreds of dollars that could "help", but they still require a basic knowledge of HTML. AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! A couple of days later I was at Wal*Mart in the electronics department. There it was (((PLAY THE "MONOLITH" MUSIC FROM 2001 HERE))) WebStudio 2.0!!! On the cover, in bold letters, were the words "Build your own website without HTML code!" The price was only $30. It was the last one on the shelf and I have not seen it there or any where else since. It was "Webmaster help in a box". Not only was it the last one, but in the years since I have not noticed any other site building program on the Wal*Mart shelves!?!
From that day I've used WS to build my sites and have used no other. It was very easy to use. I did not need to know HTML code to use it. (Even when I used the special "HTML-adder-box-thing" I did not need to "know" HTML; I just copied and pasted code that BraveNet or someone else gave me into the box.)
The programers of WS seemed to have this philosophy: "If someone can be a great car driver without knowing anything about how an automobile works, then it should be possible to make a program that lets people be great webmasters without knowing anything about HTML code."
Later I was shocked to learn that WS2 (which was great webmaster help for webmasters) was no longer in print and there were no plans for a WS3! As years went on it was obvious that WS was an endearing product. It quickly gained a fanatical following who loved the product to an almost illegal degree. As good as the product was, there were still a great many improvements that could be made. Many fans, including myself, could see that if a program company could buy the product, add the upgrades that the fans have been asking for and make it available to the public for a reasonable price--they could make a fortune!!!
I am so glad to hear that someone was listening to the fans. (And that you have help for webmaster when we need it!) I have no doubt that WS3 will be a huge hit!
Three humble suggestions:
1) Keep the retail price under $35.00
2) Put a big sticker on the box that reads "Build Your Own Web Sites Without Code!"
3) Get it into Wal*marts. If possible, put a display at the checkout next to the gum. (I'm not kidding.)
4) Rename it "Webmaster Help in a Box".
Question: Since I am so sure this will be a success, I'd like to buy stock in it. How do I go about doing that? How does the company appear on a stock ticker?
One of the fans,
Paul Kinsella
http://www.normandcompany.com/STICKMAN/index.html
Webmaster Help For Webmasters
I wrote this email to the makers of the site building program "WebStudio" a while back. I think it builds my case for why WebStudio would be the best site building program for someone looking for webmaster help for webmasters just starting out. Enjoy!