WMU > OIT > Help Desk > Web

Using NVU to Update Personal Web Pages

NVU (n-view) is a complete Web authoring system for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. It offers both a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) and a code view. It is a free alternative to Dreamweaver for faculty, staff and students to use on personal homepages. This document is offered as a courtesy - the supported and recommended product for Web development at WMU is Dreamweaver. Anyone who chooses to download and use NVU, assumes full responsibility for its use. NVU may be downloaded here:

• Windows
• Mac OS-X 10.1.5 or more recent
• Linux

After you've downloaded the appropriate executable for your system, install it as normal for your computer. Then:

1. Open NVU (images shown for Windows computers), and click Edit sites.
   
   
   
   
2. Click New site and then fill in:
   1. Site name: use the name of the folder on your hard drive where your web files will reside
   2. Http address: http://homepages.wmich.edu/~your_Bronco_NetID
   3. Publishing address: ftp://homepages.wmich.edu/
   4. User name: your Bronco NetID
   5. Password: your Bronco NetID password
   6. Make sure the Save Password box is checked
   7. Click OK

   
   

3. To edit a Web file, in the top menu bar, click File > Open File and browse to the file you wish to open.
   
   
   

4. The file you open will be displayed in a WYSIWYG window and you may edit it similarly to editing a Microsoft ® Word document.
   
   
   
   
5. You may switch from "Normal" (WYSIWYG) to "Source" (code) view by clicking the appropriate button at the bottom of the editing window.
   
   
   
6. When you have finished editing the file, you should save it. You may publish it by clicking the Publish icon in the top menu bar.
   
   
   
7. The publish window will open. Assure that all settings are correct (if your file is going into a folder in your Web space, enter the folder name in the Site subdirectory for this page box) and click the Publish button.
   
   
   
8. A window will open and display the publishing status and when it is completed.
   
   

You should now be able to browse to your page and view it on the Web. If you need more assistance using NVU, clicking Help in the top menu bar, gives you access to their Web site as well as the NVU User Guide.