What You Need to Start Building a Web Site - Part I
This article will focus primarily on users who want to create Web sites for personal or small business use. Here are the main basic things you will need to have in order to build your Web site:

1. Hardware

  • The minimum hardware requirements start with a 486-based computer system or higher. But if your site would contain rich multimedia or graphical images, you would probably need a more powerful computer system.
  • Memory:  Your computer system should have at least 16 megabytes(MB) of random-access memory(RAM). Typically, computer systems have 32 MB of RAM nowadays.
  • Modem:  Because you will be spending many hours uploading and altering your Web pages as they evolve, you should get the fastest modem you can find. Today's modems typically transmit data at 33.6 kilobits per second(kbps) or 56 kbps.
  • Printer(optional): It's nice to have a printer because it will let you print out your Web pages to check them over before you publish them online.

2. Periperals

  • Scanner: if you want to add photographs to your Web pages, you will need a scanner. Today, color scanners can be purchased for less than $200, depending on the resolution of the scanned images. Resolution is measured in terms of dots per inch(dpi). Another option is to have a scanning service to scan your photos, save them in a diskette or a CD-ROM, and download them to your computer.
  • Digital cameras, camcorders, and video capture devices(optional): These devices allow you to capture  the pictures and store them almost instally on your computer. Those who are the most likely to benefit from digital cameras include car dealers(taking pictures of new and used cars), real estate agents(taking pictures of houses), or anyone involved with any other type of business that requires pictures to be loaded onto the Web immediately.