e-mail to stay in touch, then a family Web site may be for you. A digital scrapbook, it allows you and your kids to share family photos, old and new, as well as favorite recipes, jokes, anecdotes, drawings--anything that tells the story of your family. If you or someone in your family is a Web designer, by all means go to town. Don't panic, though, if you are more of a beginner. There are free online services that make this process very straightforward.
MATERIALS
A computer with Internet accessDigital photographs (ask your film developer for details)
1. Search the web (try www.go.com) to find sites that offer a secure family Web site that includes photographs, news, chat, recipe collecting--everything you need. Sign on for your Web site by giving your name and e-mail address and review the areas you can use.
2. Next, collect the basic data you need to customize your site. You should have, for example, a list of the family members who will be included in the site, as well as their home and work e-mail addresses, fax numbers, phone numbers and Web sites. Also note family birthdays, anniversaries and other important annual dates. Log back in and enter the data for your site, following the directions. (Never fear: there is a help line.) Whenever you add a member, he or she will be automatically notified with an invitation to choose a password and log on to the site. Kids can even get their own passwords.
3. The site also walks you through posting photographs. Pictures need to become digital images before they can be posted on the site. If you have a scanner, you're all set; otherwise, bring your selection of photos for the Web site to your film developer, who can either e-mail you digital images or provide them to you on a CD-ROM.
4. Once your family members are all set up, start filling in your Web site with news, recipes, a family tree, a calendar of events, a photo album--whatever is important to you. Encourage your family members to do the same, reassuring them that the site will walk them through how to add new elements.
TESTER'S TIPS: Through an initial family meeting or series of phone calls, ask each family member to share what kind of site suits him or her (birthday reminders? the chance to swap recipes? pictures of kids' artwork?). If you can incorporate those requests, everyone will feel pride in the site and stay committed to maintaining it.
