TRADING POST GUIDE

A word from the writers

First off, welcome to our guide! If this is your first time joining an oTCG (Online Trading Card Game), we hope that this will help you create and manage your very own Trading Post.

Free Hosting

There are many sites that provide free hosting! It all depends on your preference as to how you would want to manage your post. Please keep in mind that many of these sites don't provide image hosting, so the best way to go is to host your images on Photobucket or Imageshack (both are free to use!)
Freewebs/Webs.com
Webs.com (Formerly known as "Freewebs.com") is a simple and easy site to use if you are familiar with using HTML. You have the ability to create up to twenty pages, but it comes with a storage limit, so image hosting would be very limited. There will probably be others who have similar layouts as your own as well! However, it IS possible to use your own layout (aka not a default webs layout). In our examples, Barbar and Lucario have the same base layout, however both utilize their sidebars and main content differently!


Weebly
An even more simpler hosting site to use as you don't have to worry about your layout! However, basic HTML knowledge is still required (unless you plan on individually downloading and uploading every card you receive from a TCG onto your page!) You could even add a "Contact Form" by dragging it down from the multimedia section!
Other Blogs
Livejournal.com/Tumblr.com/Blogspot.com and other blogging tools make life a bit more simple in regards to the fact that you don't need to have HTML skills (but it's easier if you do), however things can get complicated when trying to navigate your site. Since things are organized by "entries" things may turn out to be out of order or complex. Some members get around this by dedicating one sole entry to a TCG (screenshot) However, one plus about blogs is that a trade form is conveniently provided (otherwise known as the "comments")


Subdomains

There are also many opportunities for people to have their TCG Post hosted under subdomains. Hostesses such as Christina (TCG Publicity), Vaelun (All Was Well) and Amanda (Stunning Discord) are some examples of those who are willing to host TCG posts. Each private hostess/host may have their own sets of regulations and guidelines as to how they want their hostees to keep their individual sites, so please remember to read the rules before you apply! You can usually find people who are willing to host by visiting forums such as TCG Publicity or Exposure Forums. Another plus about subdomains is that your tcg post could have a flattering URL. You also have more freedom as subdomains allow you to work with PHP and other sorts.

FTP

Otherwise known as "File Transfer Protocol", this allows you to edit your subdomain in general! Although there are members out there who may use programs to edit and upload pages onto their subdomain, there is a much simpler way that does not require you to download anything! Simply follow the following steps:
  • Open "My Computer"
  • In the "address bar, type in the following: ftp://yoursubdomain@domain.com (or .org or .net)
    1. for example "ftp://legend@unspoken-promises.net" for http://legend.unspoken-promises.net
  • Drag your desired files into the folder
Here is a screenshot tutorial.

MySQL

Site Layouts

The following are the most common layout types that are used. Another that can be used is called "Popup", and quite straightforward, this layout will have an entrance page as the main, and the content will be visibile through a popup window. However, this type of layout hasn't been seen much.

Div

Table

The most sidebar friendly. If you go here, you may find some basic coding for typical table layouts. Also, if you have a LIVEJOURNAL you may find easy coding here.

Frames

Format

While there is no "official" format, formally there are some ways you could want to display your cards. If you have no idea where to start, you always do have the option to utilize the format outlined HERE. Navigation can always be at the top of the page as well. I suggest not having multiple pages in regards to showing your cards, as that makes things simply tedious to those trying to browse your cards! However, there are many who do, and if you do decide to do so, you are welcome to. Marfisa's Card Manager also makes it so that you will have to post your cards in various pages, and more information on that can be found below.

HTML vs. PHP

we will now explore the various pros and cons of HTML and PHP. You might not even know what the differences are! Therefore, I believe that this will help you decide what your preference is.

  • Blockquote



  • Blockquote



Editing with HTML

Editing with PHP

CSS

To make your site pretty, you may use CSS! In HTML this is all the content that would be in the < style >CODEHERE CSS is quite simple and there are many sites that can help you understand it easier.

Marfisa's Card Manager

There are many people
graphics by dubird - downloaded from ddg